Shouts of “Tax the rich!” rang through the Bangor Public Library at the “empty chair” Town Hall organized by Indivisible: Bangor with the Maine People’s Alliance, Food AND Water and other local organizations on March 22nd.
The event offered constituents an opportunity to voice their concerns over the $880 billion in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other essential services which Republicans are seeking to drive through Congress to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
Bangor is in the district of U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who was invited but did not attend. While Golden did not vote for the Republicans’ proposed budget, he was the sole Democratic Representative who voted with Republicans for a continuing resolution to keep the government open while budget negotiations continue.
“These parts of society are not paying their fair share,” said Maine State Rep. Sean Faircloth, who did attend the event. “We need to stand up, step forward, and frankly, take our money back and be more fairly treated.”