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Issues
Local DFLers make their voices heard in the following letters to the editor of local papers
Morals and values?
A recent letter
in this column stated our "society is in desperate need of the clergy's help to restore faith, value and morals." When did
society lose these things in the first place? As a member of "society" I am offended by such a statement. Maybe
some people need to get out and about in society to see it isn't in such a sad state after all. Take for example the BBQ Days
weekend. People, families and kids were enjoying the sense of community, the food and drink, the various activities, etc.
Every day I see people commuting to work, they pay taxes, are honest, care about their neighbors, obey the laws, spend family
time, enjoy life, etc. Maybe I just surround myself with the right people.
If it's TV, the
internet, video games, clothing, pop culture, etc. that are considered society as being immoral and lacking in values, these
things are subjective and it's up to the individual to choose to watch or use. If you don't like it shut if off or don't
buy it! Same for having faith. What one person believes doesn't have to be what everyone should. There is
such a thing as free will.
However, if you
want to get specific about lacking morals and values, take a look at our current State and National administrations.
To get elected, Gov. Pawlenty said he wouldn't raise taxes. But when funds needed to be raised, instead of calling it a tax
he says "fee" and still claims he's staying true to his word by not raising taxes. Or the fact that thousands of Minnesotans,
including children, will be cut from state health care. Where are the morals and values in these actions?
President Bush
claimed various reasons for his rush to war in Iraq. WMD, a link with 9/11, regime change, liberation and democracy, war on terror.
We've heard them all, because each time they haven't rung true, he simply changed the reason. Where are the morals
and values in this behavior? Especially considering the innocent Iraq civilians
and out Troops lives that has been lost?
Where are the morals
and values when it comes to hate being spewed towards "liberals" and Democrats and claims that we hate out country because
we ask questions? When Bill Clinton was found to have lied about a personal matter questions were asked to the tune of millions
of taxpayer’s dollars? Seems to me that when the table is turned and a Democrat is in charge, there's a double
standard.
Next time someone
wants to say how "society" has become immoral and value-less, I sure would appreciate some specifics, besides the ones I've
already pointed out. JoAnne Gill, Belle Plaine
Liberals are not to blame for conservative politics
As a Catholic who believes CAFTA would be detrimental to low and middle income workers in the US, I was
still appalled by Father McCabe's letter to the Belle Plaine Herald. The tone of Fr. McCabe's letter was negative toward
"liberals" while at the same time he identified republican policy makers as liberal. He suggests that all that is wrong
with America is due to unethical "liberals" and that they are the rich elites! Aside from the fact that the wealthy
tend to vote republican as that party protects their wealth, it is conservatives who are the true supporters of CAFTA.
I'm left assuming Fr. McCabe hates liberals and is willing to blame them for conservative policies.
But most offensive is Fr. McCabe's depiction of illegal immigrants as a disease-spreading, job-stealing
plague on America! He is promoting fear and hatred of these children of God and shows a lack of Christian charity and
love. As a representative of the Catholic Church in this community, he paints a decidedly unchristian picture of Catholics.
Karen Madrid, Belle Plaine
Bly Takes on
Neuville in the Northfield News
According to Joel Kramer, of Growth & Justice, "Minnesota does have one of the more progressive
income tax systems in the country. But the income tax
is only one
part of our overall state/local tax system, and the right way to look at taxes is all of them together. That's what the Minnesota
Revenue Department does in its tax incidence study every other year, and their study shows that overall, the top 1 percent
of Minnesotans, those earning more than about ($400,000) a year, pay only an average of 8.5
percent of their income in all state/local taxes, while middle-class Minnesotans pay
about 12 percent."
Because of many
of the advantageous this group has, the only way to tax them is the income tax. Many who argue against raising income taxes
on this group claim that it would mean a loss in jobs and hurt the economy
but to quote Joel Kramer again, "There is no evidence that states that rely on income taxes,
as Minnesota does, suffer in terms of economic growth. In fact, most of the poorest states in the U.S. are states with no
income tax, which means they do a much worse job than we do at taxing the wealthy,
and we're not doing very well at it. ... Creating a new top tax bracket on the highest earners, as the Growth & Justice
proposal and now the Senate bill would do, will not make the system less fair -- it will make it more proportional, since
the top 1 percent are not now paying their proportional share."
An across the board 1 percent income surtax, as Neuville suggests, will only exacerbate the
unfairness.
5. I do agree a 5 cent
gas tax increase may be fair and road infrastructure needs investment, but it will affect the overall economy as everything
moves by fossil fuel.
It seems even
Republicans acknowledge that more revenue is needed for government to do its job. Minnesota has done a good job of keeping
down
the cost of government. The big issues we face as a society I believe
are: bringing down the mushrooming costs of healthcare insurance coverage, investing in important public services (schools,
roads, etc.) that create jobs and support our ability to sustain our strong Minnesota economy.
-- David Bly is a Northfield resident.
Governor Roadblock
For the first time in state history, our government faces a partial shut down. The brinksmanship and
finger pointing has been going on for months. Blame is the name of the game.
While the governor is not responsible for everything the legislature does or DOESN'T accomplish, he is the
leader of our state. As the leader he sets the tone and the agenda and it is that tone and agenda that directly
led to the mess we are in today.
Throughout the session, whenever he was faced with a proposal he didn't like, whether it was the bi-partisan
gas tax increase or preserving Minnesota Care, Governor Pawlenty went into "turbo" showboating.
"Profoundly stupid"
"Grotesque"
The big red veto stamp for the cameras.
As Minnesotans we can't help but think that his actions were political grandstanding aimed at improving
his national politcal profile with the GOP elites. He was not acting in the best interests of our state or its citizens. He
created an environment that was not productive for negotiations or compromise.
We see the results of his hubris today. We look forward to seeing the ultimate result in November 2006
when voters tell Governor Roadblock, "See ya later."
Kathy Farmer, Belle Plaine
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"Great politics, but bad policy"
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That's what John Gunyou, former finance commissioner under Republican Governor Arne Carlson, had to say about Governor
Pawlenty's budget.
"No Tax Tim" is engaged in a cynical public funding shell game that allows his administration to hold to their no new
taxes pledge while shifting costs onto everyone else.
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