Netlets for Monday, March 24

Recently, several letter writers who identify themselves as "registered Republicans" have expressed their support for Barack Obama.

Whether these writers are really Republicans can be questioned. In Minnesota, we don't register party affiliation.

Party affiliation is about ideas, not the candidate. Do you support limited government or big government? Do you believe in self-reliance or government-reliance? Do you look to free-market solutions to solve our ills, or do you want Washington to do this for us? Do you see the federal assistance as a safety net, or a way of life? Are you concerned for the unborn, or are the rights of the expectant mother more important?

The goal of a candidate is to convince the undecided, or those on the other side, that his or her philosophy of government is better. If Obama's message makes sense, and you now agree with how he will govern, then he has done his job. However, it would be dangerous to assume that because you like a candidate's rhetoric that he or she shares your values. You must look deeper. The candidate's past voting record is a good place to start.

Is John McCain my ideal candidate? No. However, he represents my views better than either Sens. Obama or Hillary Clinton. With our ongoing national security concerns, our economic future and potential Supreme Court vacancies all in the balance, too much is at risk to follow someone simply because he is a great orator.

JOHN LAMPRECHT, ROBBINSDALE

Consider the context

What's the point of the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's former pastor?

A sermon is like a play, with a beginning, middle and end. Taking a dramatic line out of a play, doesn't mean you understand the whole play. Same with a sermon. We need to know the whole story, and then decide.

I bet you'll the sermons of find Dr. Wright, a faithful Christian and highly regarded minister, are about justice, repentance, love, forgiveness and grace, not about hate.

JANET LEADHOLM, EDINA

Not a true profile in courage

Barack Obama gave a very good, needed and well-balanced speech last week, lifting the veil of our embedded American race history and feelings. But, although it effectively unveiled "what is" about the current situation, it did not include a bold, action-filled statement of "what could be," other than that we must begin the dialogue. What he didn't do was say -- specifically -- what he would do as president to move us beyond the current "stalemate."

So, it was a missed opportunity that could have been his "Nixon going to China, profile in courage moment." Had he said, for example, that "the time of race-based affirmative action in America is over and during my presidency I will not mend it but lead this country to responsibly and fairly end it." That would have been a true profile in courage. As it was, the speech was needed and insightful, but not bold or transformative.

JON PEKEL, ST. PAUL

Minnesota has an estimated $938 million projected budget deficit for our current two-year budget period ending June 30, 2009. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed using $250 million from the state's budget reserve (rainy day fund) currently totaling $653 million. He would also rob the reserves of MinnesotaCare health program of $250 million, leaving a reserve balance of only $51 million at the end of fiscal year 2009. I would urge our Legislature to use $500 million from the state budget reserve leaving the Minnesota Health Care Access Fund reserves of $300 million intact, as dedicated funds to provide health care for the uninsured.

MinnesotaCare is funded by a 2 percent tax on state medical bills, plus sliding scale premiums. If the Legislature takes $250 million from existing reserves, the money is gone, and will not be replaced. So much for dedicated funds.

JERRY MARKIE, MAPLEWOOD

Bachmann's warmed-over reelection message

Rep. Michele Bachmann's March 14 commentary regarding the so-called "Protect America Act" shows her to have no ideas and nothing to offer beyond warmed-over generalizations and vague appeals to fear.

Such gormless politicians often resort to telling the people that they are menaced by threats so powerful they much surrender their freedoms to a strong authority figure. This is precisely why so few Americans have shown much interest in the "Protect America Act." We're just not scared stiff any more, and we're getting tired of government telling us we need to surrender the freedoms that have served us so well for so long.

Time has moved on, but the authoritarians have not. Bachmann is going to have a tough reelection campaign if she is serious in this commentary. The American people are too strong for such weak thinking.

MATT HUNT, MINNEAPOLIS