As a small-business owner who functions as both an employer and employee, I am gravely concerned by the ongoing disparagement of and hostility toward those who are considered labor.

In a few short months, our marginally elected governor has managed to do more damage to the image of business, large and small, than all his nonbusiness-oriented predecessors.

The point we all must reach is the understanding that employer without employee, and vice versa, is nowhere. We need to respect the role each plays in the common good.

As there are bad employers, there also are bad employees. LePage should turn his attentions to establishing the legal means to deal with both and “put a lid on” superficial and incendiary actions and statements.

Ann S. Roberts

Whitefield