I recently got a letter from Money Metals Exchange asking me to call members of the Maine Joint Taxation Committee and to ask them to support Auburn state Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill, LD 1051.

He proposes in this bill to ban Maine sales tax on the sale of gold and silver bullion and coins.

I don’t know how or why I got the letter. I know no one in Auburn, Lewiston or surrounding areas who could afford the purchase of gold and silver, including me.

Most of my friends and neighbors are just trying to afford the purchase of eggs, rent or mortgage, as well as other grocery items.

Thus, Brakey’s bill must be designed for the benefit of those who can afford to purchase gold and silver and don’t want to pay sales tax for it.

I am told rich folks who traffic in gold and silver see it as a hedge on inflation. My thinking is they already avoid enough taxes, and it’s time for them to pay their fair share.

LD 1051 should fail because it serves little benefit of the vast majority of Mainers, especially those struggling in the rural areas of the state.

Patrick Eisenhart, Lewiston