GOP rhetoric, fear impede progress

After many years of delay, our metro transportation projects are progressing and some phases are already completed. For years the Republican Party opposed these needed projects with their rhetoric about low taxes, small government and freedom, ignoring all the waste and expense incurred and the harm to us citizens. When a long-overdue gas tax was approved by the majority, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed it. Sensible Minnesota lawmakers formed a coalition, overrode the governor's veto, and got the work going. However, in response Republican Minority Leader Marty Seifert viciously punished his colleagues for voting for the good of Minnesota and doing the right thing.

On Sept. 28 this Republican contingent, including the governor, came to Lakeville to celebrate the opening of the transit station. That day Pawlenty praised and hailed the same work that he had vetoed the previous year. You could ask what changed. What is this all about? If it was such a bad idea in the past that they opposed it tooth and nail, what makes it a great idea today?

Some congressional representatives have us in a similar situation with health care reform. Republicans are pouting, trying to poison the minds of voters with scares and lies. They're hindering the work to get our country back on track again. In most societies, leaders earn their position by making worthwhile contributions. But these folks want to be leaders by inciting discontent, by inflaming people and undermining our elected administration.

JOE NIEDERMAYR

LAKEVILLE

The last few weeks we are seeing a rise in the number of foreclosure stories, and what really bothers me is the number of negative comments associated after the story.

The word foreclosure used to be a dirty word that people rarely talked about. They were few and far between and until a few years ago most of us did not know someone going through it. Now it is rare not to know someone going through it.

The one thing missing from all these foreclosure stories is the human factor. We have become numb just looking at the statistics: 92,500 Minnesotans facing foreclosure, 6.98 percent of Minnesotans behind on their mortgage. Minnesota ranks 15th in foreclosures started.

But the part that we're missing is 92,500 is not just a number but a story. Each one is a family going through what is most likely the toughest time in their life. It's easy to toss out comments like "they bought a house that was more then they could afford" because some do fall in that category. But we have reached a point where it's no longer a Republican or Democrat issue. It's not just a Bloomington issue or Farmington issue, It's not even a Minnesota issue. It's a United States issue.

It has reached a point where attitudes and methods that worked 5-10 years ago are not working now. There isn't a simple answer or a single thing to blame. But the solution does start with the banks because they hold all of the cards.

We can't start to fix things if we fail to realize the scope of the situation. We're quick to blame a few bad apples, but what good is it to focus on the few bad apples when the entire orchard is dying?

As someone losing their house a week before Christmas I know this all too well. As a home buyer I signed a contract and have that personal responsibility. But we also have to start exploring creative solutions. Banks seem happy to enforce 92,500 contracts, but is that hurting or helping anyone?

GREG STAFFA

FARMINGTON