Voodoo doctor Pawlenty
Pawlenty was on TV touting “his” balanced budget when he was governor. By law the budget has to be balanced. So, he didn’t break the law. I guess that’s something to be proud of. Pawlenty would certainly be a better president than George W. Bush or Sarah Palin, I’ll give him that. A leader would’ve offered some real solutions when he was governor. Not Tim. When the state of Minnesota was sick and needed a team of doctors including surgeons and, one could argue a nutritionist, we got voodoo doctor Pawlenty with pixie dust, a jar of leeches and rusty ax.
How did Ward get elected?
Message to Rep. Ward: Our state representative stated in the Sunday Star Tribune, we should vote no on the Constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. He said it’s discrimination. He has been a victim of discrimination because of his deformity. Then tell us, Ward, how did you get elected if voters are so discriminatory?
Pillager gas prices
I would like to know why the little town of Pillager always has gas 5 cents less than Brainerd? Why would that be?
School solution
If Brainerd schools did what many area businesses have done, the $5 million dollar problem would go away and the teacher numbers would not be cut. Trim all salaries for the next two years — coaches, superintendent, principals, staff, tutors, janitors, teachers, etc. — by 10 percent.
Not getting my vote
Why is it that our elected officials that we elect to go to St. Paul can’t get their work done on time? When we go to work every day we’re expected to do our job and get it done on time. They go down there and dilly-dally around like they have previously. Now we’re sitting here with no budget and we’re going into what they call overtime or extra session. Just because they say they’re not going to take any money is not going to get my vote. They’re out as far as I’m concerned.
ATV in southern Crow Wing County
Three commissioners voted against the commissioner from the district where the ATV trail will be. How can those three commissioners know what is best for the other commissioner’s district? How can the commissioner who was voted against be so weak as to not be able to defend his district? What kind of “team” are the county commissioners when they don’t respect the wishes of the commissioner (or the residents) whose district will be affected by this trail? It’s high time for new leadership in the county commissioners. Two are weak, two are tyrants. One is reasonable. Guess which is which?
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Submissions are limited to 100 words. To phone in a comment, call (218) 855-5888 and leave a message. To e-mail a comment, write to voxpop@brainerddispatch.com. Comments, which must meet the newspaper’s standards of fairness and good taste, may be edited for clarity, length and libel.
Comments (17)
Add commentRE: School Solution
Sounds like a flawless idea... That is, if you can get the government to tax me 10% less and have the gas stations lower my gas by 10%. While you're at it, talk to my bank and have them cut my mortgage by 10% and swing by my grocery store and persuade them to drop their prices too.
After you try all that, take a deep breath and use the extra 90% of your brain to come up with a realistic scenario.
Rep. Ward
I'm sure he was never picked on or discriminated against, as we all can see into the future and knew he'd be an elected official one day. A+ logic good job.
Re: Ward
I'm not 100% positive, but I think that even IF he's been discriminated against, a candidate only needs the majority of votes to win, not all votes. (sarc)
School Solution
Or how about we leave the teachers, janitors, staff, tutors, and coaches alone, and cut those principals and superintendents pay who get paid way more than they need, and still want to cut the wages of others who are actually teaching our kids, and keeping that school running on a daily basis
Gas Prices
I think Pillager's gas prices is a little less of a concern then Fleet Farms. You know the "Hometown Family" with 4 big business's in town who set the bottom on the gas here in town. There Waite Park store is at $3.65 as of yesterday evening and I'm sure will be lower today. Pick any lumber yard, car dealer, auto body or even big box store to shop and tell them thanks. As someone who moved to the metro and would come back up to the area to visit. We would never buy gas in Brainerd. Why would you? Let the local hometown business's hose the locals. I'll just fell up south. So "think" when you patronize business's who cleary aren't concerned with local citizens.
A lot of factor affect gas
A lot of factor affect gas prices at various locations. The profit margins are very slim on gasoline at the retail level. Places like Mills, etc., keep prices as low as possible to attract customers to the store as the real money is made in the minimarts and main stores.
BTW - It is illegal for a gas station to sell gas for less than they pay for it.
Wrong Wolf
Yes get the margins and selling for less there Vern. But, gas prices at the the little store south by Fort Ripley were $3.67 yesterday. Most of St. Cloud was $3.58. Mills knows there are extra dollars to be had on location, location, location. How did that extra 7 miles cause this inflation? Its ok to just say that they are charging more then other markets both local and a few miles away.
Roofguy, Overhead.
Roofguy,
Overhead.
Roofguy
They sell it a little higher for people like you. If it so offends you, stay in the metro area. Traffic up here would be alot easier!!
Is 7 cents a gallon a big deal?
Is 7 cents a gallon a big deal?
Lets do the math. That's about a 1.8% increase from 3.67 to 3.74. Nobody knows what the profit margins are on gas at any one location, vs their costs of operation so I think its probably pointless to figure from the seller's POV.
How about from the consumer's POV. Suppose your ride gets 20mpg and you drive 200 miles a week; gas costs at 3.67 would be 36.70; 37.40 if you paid 3.74. (I picked those numbers for easy figuring) That's $0.70, or about a cup-and-a-half of gas, or about 3 1/2 miles of driving.
In a week.
It is a free country; we are free to drive 20 miles out of our way to save a dollar on a tank of gas. Or decide to carpool, or even HORRORS!...decide that a long commute isn't really worth it.
Overhead
Yes the Waite Park and St Cloud "overhead" solves that $3.58 arguement. Nice response. Try hitting the whole post there so I don't have to correct you each time.
As for Pdnet51 I live back up here and if you would turn your blinker off and get back in the right lane you're correct traffic would be easier. I don't mind you getting your AARP discounts but please scooch over.
As for eyewolf and 7 cents I get the percentages. Although $3.58 changes the numbers. Good job reading the whole post.
With a board full of you fully employed winners I thought a principles arguement would be appreciated. Guess its only when the right ox is being gored.
Its ok fellers. Glanced through the board and see with the frequency of the posts. This might be your folks only real access to the outside world. So I agree with pud51. Don't argue with idiots. That and I actually work and don't have time to play the troll.
You guys win. Enjoy the basement. I'll be outside.
Speeding on city streets
I have noticed that a good share of drivers in Brainerd want to use our streets as their own personal speedway. Listen up folks, there are posted speed limits on all the major streets and highways. How about adhering to those limits before someone really gets hurt.
Speeding on city streets
I have noticed that a good share of drivers in Brainerd want to use our streets as their own personal speedway. Listen up folks, there are posted speed limits on all the major streets and highways. How about adhering to those limits before someone really gets hurt.
Herc
I totally agree with you. I live 30 miles from Brainerd and our local merchants appreciate our business more than those big stores in Baxter & Brainerd.