Letters to the editor for Monday, Nov. 10

Isn't it ironic that auto industry leaders are in Washington talking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about a bailout of sorts because the Big 3 automakers are in crisis.

These are the people who have argued for decades that government regulation of its products was unnecessary.

It looks like the very market they used to defend their case has spoken. We don't want the big, fuel-sucking cars they produce.

LEW MORAN, MINNEAPOLIS

Thank you to the Minnesotans who volunteered their time in support of the Clean Water Amendment. I saw people of all ages, but primarily young people, campaigning everywhere -- in local parades over the summer, at the State Fair, on street corners in neighborhoods and downtown.

We have handed our young people a heavy economic burden, and yet they have the vision to look out for Minnesota's natural waters, even though it entails a tax that will represent a greater cost, proportionately, for them than for the older generation.

The future belongs to the young. I have confidence that it is in good hands.

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With solid passage of the "MPR Tax," one wonders if there will be fewer pledge drives in the future.

JAY KURTZ, ROCHESTER

Shame on the Star Tribune. The Nov. 6 front page was devoted to repeating the lies of Norm Coleman.

Coleman did not "beat" Al Franken. The election is not over. The newspaper reported that Franken "seeks" a recount. He does not, because it is automatic by Minnesota law.

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Norm Coleman suggests that Al Franken should save the voters on Minnesota the cost of a recount and waive his right to check a very close result.

I would prefer that we have the recount, possibly saving Minnesota the cost of having Mr. Coleman in office for six more years. It's an investment in our future.

DAVE DOYLE, HAM LAKE

It's great that the levy hike for Minneapolis schools passed, but let's make sure the money goes to the right place. Hiring more teachers and associated staff is much more useful to the children than purchasing new computers and spending money upgrading technology needlessly.

Hennepin County is on the verge of a decision that will cost at least $1 billion and affect residents for the next 50 to 100 years: Should we build an LRT line between Eden Prairie and downtown Minneapolis, through the Chain of Lakes?

Do we want that LRT line to be an express train, using Minneapolis primarily as a pass-through from the suburbs to downtown? Or would we like to see LRT also serve Minneapolis neighborhoods (such as Uptown and Lyn-Lake)?

Finally, if we want to run LRT very close to homes, parks, and lakes -- which will happen regardless or which route is chosen -- are we willing to pay for adequate mitigation?

Go to southwesttransitway.org for more information.

JEANETTE COLBY, MINNEAPOLIS

Did I order these? No; I don't use phone books. I am guessing they weighed about 5 pounds or more. One hundred people in our neighborhood equals about 500 pounds of paper nobody signed up for. Let's add the rest of the Twin Cities, and it gets uncomfortable to calculate.

A simple phone call, or note in the phone bill, asking whether someone would like heavy paper phone books would not be that difficult. I can't believe that assuming we all want three phone books is OK.

This is the second time this year we have gotten the pile on our doorstep, and every time we put them into recycling. It should be illegal. What a waste!

NANCY KOHLSAAT GERARD,