The new governor of Maine, Paul LePage (R-Teaparty), has ordered the removal of some bothersome artwork.

Gov. Paul LePage has ordered the removal of a 36-foot mural depicting Maine’s labor history from the lobby of the Department of Labor.

Worker advocates described the move as a “mean-spirited” provocation amid the administration’s high-tension standoff with unions.

Acting labor chief Laura Boyett emailed staff Tuesday about the mural’s pending removal, as well as another administration directive to rename several department conference rooms that carry the names of pro-labor icons such as Cesar Chavez.

This reminds me of former Attorney General John Ashcroft’s move back in 2002 to cover the statutes in the Great Hall of the Justice Department because they showed the bare breasts on the Spirit of Justice.

Mr. Ashcroft did it because he’s a prude. Mr. LePage is removing the murals about laborers because he’s an anti-union corporatist hack (and a boor to boot). History has demonstrated time and again that people who are intimidated by art and try to control it should not be trusted with any form of political power.