Letters to the editor for Sunday, Nov. 2

COMING TOGETHER

Regardless the outcome, we're all still Americans

I am not a politician, a comedian or an angry man. For me, the presidential campaign has been eye-opening, informative and an interesting study in human nature.

When I filter out all the noise and nonsense, I find the major candidates to be good citizens and honorable and patriotic people. I have made my choices in good conscience and now eagerly await Election Day. Whoever wins will have my support, my energy and my willingness to sacrifice in the difficult and challenging years ahead.

After all is said and done, we are Americans, and we will pull together.

MIKE BAUMAN, COON RAPIDS

ELECTION '08

Letter writers sound off on candidates, issues

House District 38A Rep. Sandra Masin was approached by the Chamber of Commerce, in her role as a member of the Transportation Finance Committee, to rescue the Transportation Finance bill, vetoed by the governor. Her work with both parties helped pass that funding. We now have money to make bridges and roads safe in our state, and businesses again have arteries to transport their goods.

In a faltering economy, Sandra Masin stood for a plan that brings high-speed broadband Internet access to all parts of the state. Her vision, and her methodical, hard work in important technology and education committees, have served the citizens of 38A well.

VIVIAN NEIGER, EAGAN

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This is our time to protect and clean up our largest resource and do our part, one voter at a time. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment will keep all the politicians out of the process and have a positive energy to have water for our children and future generations. It is something we all can do for our planet.

PAM WRIGHT, ORONO

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I encourage voters to cast their ballot for Judge Philip Bush of Hennepin County District Court. He is a thoughtful, hard-working trial court judge, and he deserves your support.

I am a lawyer and retired law professor. In the more than 25 years I have known him, Bush has impressed me with his intellect, fairness and commitment to justice.

In his 19 years on the bench, Bush has presided over thousands of criminal, civil and juvenile court matters. He served as presiding judge for the Hennepin County Juvenile Court, the largest juvenile court in the state.

Attorneys who appear before Bush are quick to praise him for his courtroom demeanor and careful attention to detail. In a recent Hennepin County Bar Association poll, the participants gave Bush 97 percent support for reelection. This is the highest percentage of support that any judge has received in the 24-year history of the Bar Association poll.

During his time on the bench, Bush has worked to improve our judicial system. His initiative and creativity were critical to the development of Minnesota's Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction law. This reform has been widely praised as a fair balance of increased public safety and rehabilitation for serious juvenile offenders.

MAURY LANDSMAN, MINNEAPOLIS;

COCHAIR, REELECT JUDGE PHILIP BUSH COMMITTEE

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Erik Paulsen has been a dedicated community servant over the past 14 years. In that time, he has compiled a serious record in the Minnesota House. He is well-respected for balancing budgets and controlling taxes and spending. This is the type of leadership we need in the U.S. Congress.

Minnesotans are hard-working people, and we need to keep more of our money to support our families and run our small businesses. Paulsen will work hard to get us out of this current economic crisis. Paulsen's trust in the taxpayer is much better than trusting the government.

MARGARET CAVANAUGH, BLOOMINGTON

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Voters of Coon Rapids and Andover have a clear choice in the District 5 county commissioner election contest. Becky Fink's years of community service and her collaborative leadership skills make her ideally suited to provide new direction for the Anoka County Board. Her career experiences, including many years with Rise Inc. and more recently with Mary T Inc., have provided her great insight into many challenges facing our community.

GENE MERRIAM, COON RAPIDS

FALL OF AN EMPIRE

Story offered insight into Petters' soul

Thanks for the insightful article on the early life and times of Tom Petters ("The collapse of the Petters empire," Oct. 26).

The description of those "practical jokes" where he humiliated and embarrassed his friends by lying to them about paying the bill for their coffee or lunch really opened a window onto his particular pathology.

Tom, you might still think that's a hilarious prank, but I don't think anybody's laughing anymore.

DONNA AHRENS, GOLDEN VALLEY