Open Forum

I have been a little amused at the flap created over the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. It is quite obvious that they have no real interest in the truth. Their interest is money. They are financed by the same person that financed the slander of John McCain when he was running for president against Mr. Bush. The attacks are scurrilous against much better men than the attacker supports and certainly better men than the one who pays for them. They are similar to the ones used against Max Cleland when he was running against the present senator from Georgia, another Republican who had better things to do than serve his country while Max was getting shot to doll rags. I think I understand now why the president is always harping on freedom as ours gets taken away. When you're in someone's pocket, you have no freedom. Maybe he wants some.

Jesse Nix

Emily

Brainerd tax levy to be set

I would like to suggest to the citizens of Brainerd that they watch the council meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. on Channel 8. There will be a workshop and discussion on the 2005 budget. The council will set the tax levy rate for 2005.

According to the budget, revenues will increase about $500,000 - $250,000 in state aid and $250,000 increase in the valuation on your real estate.

The expenditures will increase over one million dollars compared to the 2004 budget.

Section 32 of the Brainerd City Charter, states, "The city council shall have the management and control of all finances in the city." I feel the elected officials should follow the charter.

I was elected in 2000 and have not voted in favor of the budget or the tax increases that have been approved by a 5 to 2 or 6 to 1 vote over the past years. In the past, I have recommended over $500,000 decrease in the expenditures that were not approved by the council. These cuts would not affect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens. I do not feel it is in the best financial interest of the citizens to continue to increase taxes.

I would not vote for, or support a tax levy rate increase in this year's budget. It is my personal opinion that city government must be financially managed, as you would do with finances in the private sector and in your own home.

Please call me at 829-3842 if you have questions or issues you would like to discuss.

Bob Olson

Alderman at-large

Brainerd

Bush has overstayed his welcome

I just watched as President Bush refused to see Sen. Max Cleland at his ranch in Texas. The president has time for many vacations, he has time to watch the Olympics, time to work out every day, but no time for a hero who lost three limbs in Vietnam?

I believe the president is going to lose in November, and not by a small margin. The people see through the politics of mass destruction and Mr. Bush's lack of candor. Example: I believe service in the National Guard is honorable service. My complaint is not that the president served in the National Guard, but that he did not serve, at least for a great deal of the time. It cost this country (in a time of war) a great deal of money to train Lt. Bush to fly. The government is entitled to a return on their investment. How is it that this junior officer decided to let his flying ticket lapse? Who approved this? What did he do during this period? Where was he? These are all legitimate questions that need to be answered, and there is no reflection on the National Guard.

What is going on today is politics at its worst. A sitting president is about to lose his job and he is doing what comes natural to a Bush. Politics? Yes, and I can prove it.

If this race was between Kerry and President John McCain, the president would not allow this garbage to continue. He would use his power and prestige to appeal to the better instincts in all of us and demand that the debate be on the issues. Win, lose, or draw, the country would be better off, regardless of who won.

I'll be happy when President Bush goes. He's overstayed his welcome.

Michael Ward

Brainerd