Open Forum

All too many of our present voters have been "sucked" into the morass of voting for any politician who will promise anything to get elected to a plush government office, only to have them "feather their own nests", at the expense of the citizenry. We have come to rely on everyone being "entitled" to a handout from the government rather than solving our own problems.

Now, a politician who campaigned on no new taxes gets elected governor, and the complainers are attacking him for keeping his pledge, which is something that they certainly do not expect from an elected official. We want him to cut government waste, but not if it might create a "hardship" for "me!"

Some of us who grew up during the 1930s, and the hardships created by the Great Depression, along with the war to defeat the evil which was then Adolph Hitler, came to understand what sacrificing was all about. Rationing of sugar, gasoline, tires, shortage of food, etc.. Most of us planted gardens to feed our families, got along without, when needed, and shared with our neighbors, rather than asking for help from the government. Personal automobiles were a luxury, and used very carefully, due to the rationing of gasoline, and shortage of available tires.

Our Sundays were spent in church, thanking God for the blessings that He had bestowed on us, and our nation, rather than driving to a Wal-Mart, and buying some "slave labor" bargains which we could not afford. We have blessings in this nation, that people in other parts of our world, can only dream about, such as food for our families, health care, a comfortable home, and freedom of religion. Yet, we continue to complain. Stop and Think.

Don Lahd

Crosby

Job references

Thank you to Rep. Dale Walz for his vote in support of H.F. 480, the job reference protection bill supported by the Civil Justice Coalition. This bill passed the Minnesota House last week. Providing and obtaining accurate references is an important issue for local governments, school districts, non-profits and businesses, especially small companies.

I hope that voters will now encourage the Senate to support this bill to ensure that good employees have the opportunity to advance, and that workplaces can be a safe, productive environment.

David C. Olson

President, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Chair, Civil Justice Coalition

Hardships for many

Gov. Pawlenty's budget cut recommendations will create serious hardship for persons with disabilities and their families. Without a balanced approach of cuts and increases in state revenue, the quality of life of some of our most vulnerable citizens will be dramatically diminished.

Arc Minnesota, the state's largest advocacy organization for persons with disabilities, believes we must take a balanced approach towards the budget deficit. The Governor has challenged all of us to make adjustments, and we need to save funds where savings can be made. Most of us advocating in the service system that supports people with disabilities have been good stewards of the taxpayer dollar and are willing to take reasonable measures to conserve in these difficult times.

However, the cuts proposed will significantly impact the quality of life for persons with disabilities and potentially jeopardize their very health and safety. Over the long-term, our government may end up spending more money to help people who fall into crisis situations because of these reductions. For these reasons, we must find ways to raise more state revenues to avoid harmful cuts.

Minnesota has a long history of compassion for those in need and a high standard of living for all citizens. Many taxpayers do not realize the impact of the proposed cuts. If they did, I trust they would support a balanced solution to the challenges we face.

We must encourage our elected officials and all citizens to act with compassion and sensitivity during these challenging times.

Dennis Theede, President

Arc Minnesota

St. Paul

Internet poll

How does The Dispatch regulate its "2 cents worth" poll? Is there a time limit put to it or do you wait until the results swing into a favorable position to write a story on it? Furthermore, it's called "2 cents worth", by this I assume you give readers the ability to spend "2 cents" in this fun little poll. I spent over 12 cents on the last poll because readers are permitted to vote everyday. Yes, I voted six times! Are you guys Tallahassee wannabees?

You may argue that it is not a scientific poll, granted. We hardly need a committee to work that one out. But, I have personally heard current Brainerd City Council members use this information to sway opinion. The general public could and probably does look at this poll and are indeed influenced by it.

A couple of suggestion for The Dispatch:

1) Make the poll a weekly poll. This would keep it fresh and interesting. It is for fun right?

2) Make it possible for a person to only vote once. (Ah, remember the days when everyone's individual vote actually meant something). If people are that desperate to vote twice, at least make them go down to the library to use another computer. Then OK, they went to great lengths for something fun, so let the vote count.

John Richardson

Brainerd