Open Forum: Thoughts on Democrats and Lutherans

What do the ELCA (we'll take it from here, God!) Lutherans and the (we know better than you, now take your medicine!) Democrats have in common? They've both forgotten whom and who they are working for!

And I hope the cap and trade scheme works to clear our polluted skies because when homeowners can't pay to heat or their utility bills and lose their homes, a lot of people will be forced into the streets to enjoy our fresh air up close and personal. But that's OK. Some people must sacrifice for the betterment of all! Seems the "all" is usually not us! Enjoying the fresh air will make us healthier to be under Obama-care longer! I wonder if he thought of that?

Put your trust in the eternal government of God, Jesus being his daily representative. His motto is, "I'm only a prayer away." Take Him at His word. He can be trusted! Amen.

Stephen Heinecke

Baxter

Mr. Obama doesn't understand

Since Mr. Obama has been attacking our current health care system, I would like to step forward in defense of our health care professionals. After 30 years in sales and management with companies that invent and market highly technical operating room devices, I have seen much of the best. The very best of humanity exists in our doctors, nurses, and hospital staff professionals. My experience focused on the surgeons, operating room nurses and technicians who face life-and-death situations on a daily basis. I have observed over 3,000 major operations, yet I can not think of one situation where I saw anything but the most selfless, dedicated patient care, often in the face of difficult and exhausting circumstances.

Mr. Obama has said our system has waste, inefficiencies, and that doctors will remove tonsils or perform amputations that are not necessary. While these and other Obama claims are certainly unbecoming of a president, they are absolute proof that Mr. Obama has no idea what our American health care system is all about. America's problems are not with the care - the problems are with the payment for care. They can be fixed best by eliminating malpractice lawsuit abuse, expanding insurance company availability nationwide, offering more choice of coverages, eliminating government mandates, eliminating care for illegal residents, stopping the abuse of our emergency rooms by welfare recipients, and educating the public that each citizen must shoulder the responsibility of providing for their own insurance coverage.

More government involvement will drive our excellent system into the same abyss where we now find Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the war on poverty, and any other wasteful, inefficient and ineffective government program that has been forced upon our society.

Tom Lund

Longville

Gazelka's record reflects values

Former State Rep. Paul Gazelka recently announced his candidacy for the State Senate 12 seat. While in the House, Gazelka was endorsed by MCCL and has a 100 percent pro-life record. He is a well known businessman in the Brainerd area. He is fiscally conservative. He is pro-family. He is married and has 5 children. His voting record reflects his values.

While a challenge to an incumbent can be difficult, it is sometimes necessary. At the endorsing convention in 2006, it took Sen. Koering seven votes to win the endorsement and during that very long process, he stated that he would continue to defend traditional marriage. After he won the election, he promptly broke his promises, co-authoring 3 bills that would advance the homosexual agenda in Minnesota.(S.F. 0960, S.F.1369, S.F. 1398) Do we want a senator that is willing to break his promise so soon after he was re-elected?

Sen. Koering also was the author of a Minnesota Universal Health Care Bill in January 2007. He supported it when no other Republican did. He also voted for a Democrat to lead the Senate in 2007 rather than a pro-life Republican.

We have to look at all the facts. Rep. Gazelka's record speaks for itself, as does Senator Koering's. I urge you to look at both very closely and then decide who will represent us best.

Joyce Heffron

Little Falls