Governor LePage says he never meant to offend anyone by comparing the Internal Revenue Service to the Gestapo, Adolf Hitler's secret police force.

His statement Monday comes after Democratic leaders called on him to apologize, saying the Governor's language was "intentionally offensive"

In his weekly radio address Saturday, LePage attacked the Supreme Court's decision upholding President Obama's health care law.

LePage said the court's ruling has "made America less free. We the people have been told there is no choice. You must buy health insurance or pay the new Gestapo - the I.R.S."

The comment drew immediate offense from critics.

Monday in a statement, the Governor clarified it by saying, "It was not my intent to insult anyone, especially the Jewish Community, or minimize the fact that millions of people were murdered.

Clearly, what has happened is that the use of the word Gestapo has clouded my message. Obamacare is forcing the American people to buy health insurance or else pay a tax. Our health care system is moving toward one that rations care and negatively impact millions of Americans.

We no longer are a free people. With every step that Obamacare moves forward, our individual freedoms are being stripped away by the Federal Government. This should anger all Americans."

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