Dear Old Guy welcomes letters on all subjects, including love, marriage, child rearing, even basic plumbing and medical advice. What he doesn’t know, he is happy to make up. After all, he’s just an opinionated Old Guy. Submit your questions to Dear Old Guy here.

I have been in the same job for more than 20 years, working diligently to help make sure Maine doesn't end up looking like Florida or New Jersey or... or... or... (fill in the blank with the state you loved that is now trashed).

I understand how politics work and have served under four very different governors. I understand my job is to make them look good. However, our current governor and his appointees are not only scary and dangerous with respect to Maine's environmental laws, they are downright mean, as well. They think all current state employees are part of some Democratic Party conspiracy, rather than (for the most part), dedicated, smart and enthusiastic public servants.

Please tell me what management training book advises people to go in and alienate their entire workforce, ignore their most knowledgeable managers, and tie them up in so much useless paperwork that they can't even get a simple contract out the door. The books I've read advise that if workers respect you and you treat them right, they will do anything for you; hmmm, they might even come up with some great ideas that can save money!

Sorry for going on and on, Old Guy, but this stuff keeps me awake at night. If people knew half of what was happening in Augusta right now, they would be concerned, too. My question is, should I hang in there and try to minimize the damage, or jump ship before I go completely nuts?

Fed up in Augusta

Dear Fed up,

In regard to the governor of the State of Maine. I was told years ago that cream rises to the top. I had to point out to that soothsayer that oil also rises to the top.

I think the planet, as you and I know it, will be unrecognizable by the time the next generation takes charge. We have a world economy that is based entirely on resource depletion. It galls me when I hear that growth is good. We don’t need more. The job now should be to stop growth and figuring out how to assure a tolerable life for all who are here. I know too that my wish will never be granted.

In terms of your job, let me draw this analogy: If someone you loved was being treated for a cancer was beyond cure would you tell them to suffer the treatments or to unhook and get the fullest life out of the time they have remaining? If the answer is yes then apply it to your employment situation. You have fought the good fight. Now go out and enjoy the oceans and mountains and even the open highways with those cool architectural oddities like giant dinosaurs with fast food drive-thrus. You’ve spent enough time worrying.

If you won’t follow my advice, if you can’t leave your job for financial reasons or you still want to watch the patient die then here are several titles, as per your request, I would suggest you take a look at:

The Golden Book of Civil Unrest

Webster’s Guide to Office Sabotage

Undermining Your Boss for Dummies

The Little Email Virus That Could

I would also suggest the following novels whose philosophical insight regarding the ever degrading environment may help you in your life choices:

Valley of the Mountains

Anne of Green Rivers

The Seven Trials of Peter Pfepper – A Witches’ Tale

The last one mentioned is by a local author and well worth the cover price of $14.95 plus shipping from Amazon. I wish you well with whatever you choose. —O.G. 

Dear Old Guy,

Here’s one you haven’t heard. My ex-wife is color blind and I’m tone deaf. When we met we figured our flaws would compliment each other and we’d be helpmates for life. That might have worked except that we could not overcome religious differences. She doesn’t believe in God and I’m agnostic. You can see how that would be an issue and I wish we had been warned in advance because ultimately we were granted a beautiful daughter. Emma is now 11 and very talented in both music and art.

The problem is my ex has been asking me to, uh, can you hold on. Someone’s at the door—

Dear Someone’s at the door,

Please write back when you’re not busy. I have a feeling things were about to get interesting. —O.G.

Dear Old Guy,

I have body image problems. I’ve always had them. My husband knows this and thinks it’s fun to pick on me about stuff. He says’s it’s all in good fun but I’m not laughing. Last week he really hit a sore spot and said my legs are too short. Is there something I can do make my husband stop? I’m tempted to make fun of his privates but in the end I think that would be cruel. Any Ideas?

Signed, Imperfect

Dear Imperfect,

First of all I have to tell you your legs are not too short. If the were, would they reach the ground? You are aware that what you see in the mirror is not what the world sees. Right?

What your husband is doing is cruel and I applaud your ability not to reciprocate, though if you change your mind please record and post the moment to the Internet.

So, what can you do in this situation? Leave. Persistent name calling and mockery are no different than hitting. All create pain, all cause wounds and all are about the other person attempting to control and manipulate another human being. I strongly recommend you get in touch with one of the many women’s support groups available. It’s going to take more than my quirky column to get you to make the necessary changes in your life. Good luck, —O.G.