letters

Debra Morse-Kahn ("A measure of who we are," Aug. 12) gushed that we in Minnesota are a breed apart.

When tragedy strikes, our brave and compassionate community response is unlike any other in the nation. That's so true -- had it been written 19 years ago when my family and I first moved here.

This used to be a special place. Sure, taxes were higher. But for all our complaining, we took great pride in our nationally ranked schools, parks and health care system. Like the weather, we bore our burden with pride. I loved being a Minnesotan.

But something changed. Our sense of community got smaller. A new breed of politicians moved in. Taxes were somehow cast as a moral issue along with God, guns and gays.

And our community get even smaller. Taxes morphed into user fees. I'll pay for the roads I drive on, but not your transit. I'll pay for my fishing license, but not your library. Our school district asks if you live less than 2 miles from school. If you do, pay $200 for the bus, or your kids walk.

Are we becoming a community so tiny that it takes a bridge to fall down to get us to respond as we once did? As Morse-Khan asks, "Who are we, indeed"?

ZOL HEYMAN, ARDEN HILLS

Immigration and Customs cranks up the merry-go-round

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is apparently going to go after employers who receive notification that their employees do not have legitimate Social Security numbers, giving them 90 days to fire them or face enhanced fines ("Countdown begins on illegal immigrant crackdown," Aug. 11).

The practical effect of this effort is that employers will comply with the firings, then unwittingly hire replacements who also have false Social Security numbers. These employees will last until the next round of notifications, when the process will repeat itself. So what is the bottom line? Increased training costs for American businesses, such as food service, construction and lawn service, and no reduction in the number of illegal immigrants working in the United States!

Whoever thinks this will make a dent in the 12 to 16 million illegals in this country must be having hallucinations. Let's spare American business the cost of this merry-go-round.

ARTHUR E. HIGINBOTHAM, MINNEAPOLIS

Aaron's legacy is secure

Barry Bonds' home-run record this month has not diminished Hank Aaron at all. On the contrary, it has vaulted Aaron back into the public eye in a manner not seen since he retired 30 years ago.

The incredible ovation Aaron's video tribute to Bonds received from fans at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Aug. 7 was evident of the respect and adoration fans will always reserve for him.

Millions of baseball fans who were born after Aaron retired now have had the opportunity to learn who this great man is thanks to the attention given Bonds' pursuit of the record. If not for Bonds, this would not have happened.

Like Harmon Killebrew, Aaron's accomplishments and legacy will never be diminished just because someone happens to hit more home runs.

KARL KLASSNER, RICHFIELD