Open Forum

A recent letter writer told those of us lucky enough to have central nervous systems that it is disingenuous to object to the number 13 and that challenging a clean dichotomy is the rationalization of deductive reasoning. At least I think that's what he said.

Anyhow, back on earth, another letter writer expressed a misunderstanding of what is free and what is provided at the expense of others. The State of Minnesota provides nothing free because it has no funds of its own and must first take a dollar from someone in order to give it to someone else.

The University of Minnesota comes close to getting something free each time it raises tuition. There is no incentive for the U to do anything else so long as the federal government continues its foolhardy plan for student loans. In this case the University makes out quite nicely while the rest of us taxpayers pick up the tab.

A growing suburb tried to get something free by sticking a .5 percent tax on every sale and would have picked up a nice bundle of cash had the state not shot it down. The sunset provision of the proposed tax would most certainly have been replaced by a sunrise provision since it's impossible to wean city managers once they've tasted out-of-towners' milk money.

The only solution seems to be increasing taxes, particularly on those 40,000 rich guys, never eliminating waste.

On a brighter note, the Ideal Township All Volunteer Deductive Reasoning and Planning and Malt Beverage Consuming Committee has recommended that no new taxes, fees or charges be levied until the Ideal International Airport opens and all light rail lines are complete. At that time a 25 percent tax will be assessed against the Baxter City Council.

Stephen A. Busch

Ideal Township

Let's get new high court justices

I think the Supreme Court has gone way too far with their decision to allow local governments to seize someone's home for private development. It could be understandable if the land was to be used to improve roads, airports, etc. But to take someone's castle and turn it into another White Castle is not appropriate. I think the government is making too many decisions for us. And why are these justices appointed for life? They should be elected for a certain term so they can be voted out of office if the public decides they are becoming too powerful. Let's get a whole new group of them in also.

Julie Pawlak

Hackensack

Koering and Purple Heart highway

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our Sen. Paul Koering for all he did this session to bring the Purple Heart Memorial Highway project from a mere idea to a reality.

I saw firsthand the hoops Senator Koering had to jump through at the Capitol to get this highway designation passed into law. Though it took a great deal of his time and effort, his enthusiasm and commitment to the goal never wavered. And in the end, his labor paid off!

With a lot of politicians, their support for veterans issues is lip service. When I talk to Sen. Koering, I can see how much respect and appreciation he truly has for our current armed forces and veterans.

Paul Koering deserves the credit for helping us name the Purple Heart Memorial highway and allowing Minnesota to permanently pay its respects to those wounded and killed in the line of battle.

We thank you, senator.

Bill Wroolie

Past National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

Brainerd

The right of each individual citizen

The Second Amendment states, in part... "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." (The Constitution of the United States) The Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act of 2005 ( "conceal-carry" bill), which passed this session, is an expression of the Constitutional right.

The most vocal opponent of that bill was Wes Skoglund, liberal Democratic senator from Minneapolis. Growing up in south Minneapolis, I'm familiar with his interpretation of my gun rights. Many liberals believe "the right to bear arms" is a right of society, a collective right, limited to military and police not extended to private citizens. Our side, including Governor Pawlenty, believes this amendment is a right of each individual citizen.

A group of conservative Senate women -- Pat Pariseau, Mady Reiter, and Carrie Ruud spoke eloquently in favor of the "conceal-carry" bill, and propelled its passage. In the process, they were able to remove all the restrictive amendments added by Senator Skoglund in his futile attempt to "gut" this bill.

Finally, on Nov. 2, citizens in 64 rural Minnesota counties rejected liberal John Kerry's voting record on gun issues. ("USA Today," 2004 Presidential vote, county by county). Those voters knew that the Republican Party platform promised to keep all Second Amendment rights that the constitution guarantees.

John Holley

Ironton