Netlets for Sunday, Feb. 3

You don't just abandon your four-legged friend (not even due to foreclosure), but since we live in a throwaway society, this is a common occurrence (Star Tribune, Jan. 30).

Now would be a good time for decisionmakers in Minnesota to act for the future -- support mandatory spay/neuter programs (with certain exceptions) for dogs, cut down the number of puppy mills operating in the state, and limit the number of litters dogs and cats are forced to produce. Offer financial help with euthanasia costs for horse owners, so that these animals are not dumped somewhere or shipped across the border into Mexico and Canada to be brutally killed.

In the long run there are ways Minnesota can help people and their animals and they do not take a huge bite out of the owner's pocketbook.

URSULA PELKA, EDINA

Asking Reagan's question in 2008 President Reagan asked Americans in the 1980 campaign, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" As I read the paper about increased military deaths in Iraq in January, Iraqis unable to get adequate fuel and electricity, a resurgence of the brutal killings in Afghanistan, Kenya in turmoil, fear of unfair elections in Pakistan, an economy shaken by unscrupulous lenders, bridges collapsing, water woes in the west worsening, a national debt trillions higher than before, the largest federal budget in history and now a report that says our National Guard are not ready for an attack on our homeland, the answer is clear.

I hope someone has some way we can get out of this mess. No wonder most Americans desire a change for our country. It can't come soon enough. Perhaps Tuesday's caucuses are a good place to start.

ROBERT SHUMER, EAGAN

Hillary Clinton has been garnering primary votes from Democrats who have a consistent voting record. They always vote and they always vote for the democratic ticket. They are the people who voted for John Kerry and Al Gore in the last two presidential elections. Problem is, their numbers have been coming up short. Add this to Clinton's polarizing past and she is a sure loser.

Obama's constituency has been somewhat different in the primaries to date. The votes he has received are comprised of some core Democrats as described above, but also a lot of independents and those inspired to vote for the first time. Add these independents and first-time voters to the core democratic numbers seen in 2000 and 2004, and we have a winner!

SANDY ROSS, MINNETONKA

A candidate who inspires I am honored to dedicate this year of my life to helping Hillary Rodham Clinton become the first woman president of the United States. I watched with awe as she gracefully managed her roles as mother, wife and dedicated public servant. She endured public humiliation over the most intimate aspects of her marriage, attacks on her character, scrutiny of her personal relationships and financial dealings and endless attempts to subdue her ambitions to reconstruct the outdated role of First Lady. She not only survived, she soared, going on to become one of the most respected members of the U.S. Senate, sponsoring and passing legislation that improves the conditions of children, women and families, our environment and our world.

These are precarious times. Not only is it unwise to elect a leader who is untested, it is, in fact, quite dangerous. Hillary has built relationships with world leaders in more than 75 countries and is respected around the globe. We need a president who exhibits profound understanding of the complex issues we are facing today and who has a proven track record of forging partnerships across the aisle, as well as the ocean. She has demonstrated mindful, informed decisionmaking on both domestic and foreign policy issues and continues to impress me with her in-depth knowledge of health care, the economy, the war, the environment and the cultural and political nuances related to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

KIM CERMAK, MINNEAPOLIS

Killing fields at home Susan Lenfestey suggests we go to our precinct caucuses on Feb. 5 with the late Molly Ivins' words ringing in our ears, "We want to find solutions other than killing people. Not in our name, not with our money, not with our children's blood."

I couldn't agree more. It's time to put an end to taxpayer funding of abortions.