A government shutdown is imminent. And why? Our leaders in the parties are insisting their way is the only way, and that the other party is totally wrong. Compromise is not a tool for them. Oh yes, they throw that word around but they don’t use it — all hammer, no nail. Every single person sitti...

Every day we are told that the only way to have progress is to do everything we can to support “our betters,” those who have most of the wealth and power in this country and who pretty much run things. We are told we must take away governmental support of anything that might benefit those below ...

Should Minnesotan’s tax money be spent building a statewide, light rail, passenger system? Will it be worth the money? Will enough people use it? Or, will so few use the system that the fares have to be set much lower, like Amtrak, than the cost to repay the state for construction and maintenance?...

Really? The holy books preach some version of “if you have two coats, give one to him who has no coat.” The holy books don’t say you should give your extra coat to the government and they will “share” it with another. It’s your faith that moves you to share your coat and donate money to ...

GOP legislators, tell us how your people will benefit from your severe one-sided legislation? The rest of us middle and lower-class folks will be hurting soon enough. The press is full of the hardships ahead. You say you care for the economy, but the people hurting see you only caring for the top ea...

Gov. Dayton and members of the state Legislature have put a great many of their constituents at risk by their inability to address the budget, putting ideologies ahead of pragmatic decision-making. It’s clear the differences between the Republican-controlled Legislature and the governor are not li...

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I am very upset the way the vets of Brainerd are treated as I am a vet myself of 22 years. They are homeless, jobless. They are treated with disrespect when they go for a job they are told that there are more qualified people then they are even though they are just out of high school. Most the peopl...

I am still waiting for Mr. Gazelka, Tim Pawlenty and other Republicans and Tea Party members to help “Hope” budget, perhaps they know what most people know who live hand to mouth. It is not possible to feed, provide clothing and put a roof over a family’s head and pay for increased health care...

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