Open Forum

No, and most of the people on welfare don't either. Should taxpayers have to pay for somebody else's kids basic needs while the parents then can go out and spend their money on things like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, pull tabs, cell phones, video games, mp3 players, TVs, computers, going to the casino and other things that are a waste of money? Whats the sense in paying $250 a month for a cell phone (not a necessity), when that money alone plus a little will almost pay for a whole months worth of groceries for a family of four. There are a few people who really need the welfare programs to help them out with supporting their kids, but there are more people abusing the programs. I know from first hand experience that these programs are trying to get anyone and everyone to join in, so that the government can control us even more. They are taking the taxpayers money from them and then redistributing the money the way they want to. Should we have to supply for these not so needy people or not?

Katie Harris

Brainerd

Mexico - where's our money?

From 2008 the World Almanac and Book of Facts p. 489-1995.

"President Clinton invoked emergency authority Jan. 31 to extend a $20 billion loan to Mexico to help it avert financial collapse."

Now that we are in a situation such as we are, would Mexico be so kind to send us our money or oil at discount or do we just get illegals working here, sending more greenbacks south of the border down Mexico way?

How much would $20 billion equate to in 2008? Another item, same book, p. 490-1996.

"Congress, in March, approved a line item veto bill, giving the president power to delete from spending bills any items containing expenditures he or she disapproves of, but tit was struck down by Supermen Court on June 25, 1998."

Perhaps the Supreme Court and lawyers who brought the case to court are somewhat to blame for earmarks and reckless spending by elected officials.

Remember, all spending bills must originate from House of Representatives.

Another item: 1996.

"Major welfare reform bill signed into law, Aug. 22."

Well, now that worked really swell did it not, they have credit cards and they are spending Minnesota money in other states. Why?

Drug tests - Random for welfare recipients.

Norm Olson

Brainerd

A slanderous political cartoon

I have a strange preoccupation. When I was 10 I began reading every political cartoon I could get my hands on. Though I have often disagreed with the opinions they portray I've always respected them as a expression of the freedom we enjoy in this country.

The cartoon entitled "Obama's Cabinet" printed in the Brainerd Dispatch on Tuesday appalled me as the most slanderous political cartoon I have ever seen. The poor taste of the Dispatch in printing it reflects the sad state of our contemporary media; regurgitating unsubstantiated, mud-slinging allegations associating one candidate with radicals while ignoring the very real history of the other candidate's disastrous economic policy and financial ties to white collar crime.

Dan Bye

Pequot Lakes

Let's work together

It is one day before the presidential election and whatever the outcome, the man who becomes our 44th president has nearly impossible tasks confronting him. He will face problems we have heard mentioned so often: The deeply troubled economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the creation of a new energy policy, the colossal national debt, protecting the environment, etc. etc. etc.

As a frequent visitor to Brainerd, I was saddened to recently read some of your political cartoons and editorials filled with vitriolic anger directed at one of the candidates.

After the election I pray that the people of America will work together with the new president in finding solutions to problems we all want solved.

Let us seize the opportunity.

Nona Martin

Shoreline, Wash.