Readers Write for Thursday, Nov. 12

HEALTH CARE REFORM

One small-businessman says the time is now

I received my Blue Cross renewal for 2010 this week. Another 14 percent increase! As a small-business owner, I cannot understand how anyone says we can't afford to reform health care. I say we can't afford not to reform health care. At the rate of these increases every year, only the wealthiest Americans and government employees will be able to have health insurance.

BERNIE WEBER, FARMINGTON

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The Nov. 11 article on the "blitz from both sides" in the health care reform battle did not mention the $1.4 million a day that the health insurance industry spends lobbying Congress. It's obvious that the grass-roots efforts of people fighting for health care don't begin to have that kind of money. The watered-down bill that passed the House reflects the lopsided influence of money from the insurance industry.

Counties will pay MinnesotaCare premiums for the newly transferred enrollees for up to six months, depending on the time remaining in the GAMC enrollee's eligibility period. At the end of the eligibility period, enrollees must renew their eligibility and assume responsibility for their premium payment, which is about $5 per month.

During last year's legislative session, the governor proposed reforming GAMC, which has been the fastest-growing state health care program, increasing by 36 percent in the latest two-year budget cycle. The governor's proposal would have saved money and preserved coverage, but the Legislature did not adopt this proposal.

While funding for GAMC was eliminated to help balance the state budget, Minnesota has a strong record in providing health care coverage, and its government-subsidized health care programs are still among the most generous in the nation.

CAL R. LUDEMAN, ST. PAUL;

COMMISSIONER,

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Kersten has her facts wrong

If Katherine Kersten's Nov. 8 commentary on gay marriage ("The perilous, slippery slope of gay marriage") weren't so sadly homophobic and ill-informed, it would be laughable. There are so many half-truths and untruths that I lost count.

For example, "Sex between men and women creates new human beings." No, sex between men and women occasionally creates an infant, but it takes responsible and loving parenting for an infant to become a responsible and loving adult.

Many studies confirm that gay and lesbian couples who parent do as well as heterosexual couples in terms of their children realizing successful outcomes. It is most unfortunate that Kersten apparently hasn't taken the time to meet with any of these couples and learn from them.

THE REV. RICHARD SELLERS,

MINNEAPOLIS

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Katherine Kersten may not like same-sex marriage, but she is dead wrong when she claims that "across the world and throughout history, [marriage has] been exclusively male-female."

Marriage between people with the same genetic endowment has been practiced since the beginning of recorded time in both ancient and modern societies. There are many, many examples.

American Indian people in a number of tribes recognize "third spirit" individuals, who regularly contracted marriage with both men and women. South Asian society recognizes the "hijra," who are as likely to marry persons with their same genetic endowment as those with opposite endowment. Hundreds of other examples abound.

The American Anthropological Association issued a statement some years ago denouncing the incorrect notion that marriage is exclusively male-female among human societies. It is a scientific fact that such marriage arrangements have been institutionalized for millennia without affecting the institution of heterosexual marriage.

Kersten should get her facts straight before making pronouncements based on her own fantasies about human nature.

WILLIAM O. BEEMAN, MINNEAPOLIS;

PROFESSOR AND CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

prejudice against muslims

Dangerous to blame all for one man's actions

A Nov. 10 letter writer states, "If the Sack cartoon implies Muslims will now experience fear and prejudice, they should blame Maj. Nidal Hasan."

This statement suggests that the horrific action of one ultraconservative, extremist Muslim justifies prejudice against all Muslims. Following this logic, is it appropriate to prejudge all political conservatives in a similar fashion because of the action of one right-wing extremist, Timothy McVeigh?

JOHN CLARK, MINNEAPOLIS