Despite the two recent setbacks in the civilian space program (after all, space flight has inherent risk), but considering the successful landing of a European probe on a comet, I am truly optimistic that man will soon return to the moon and thereafter visit Mars. Unfortunately, because of the lack of commitment, focus and resolve our government has been showing these past 20 years, I don't believe that any of these explorers will be American.
Keith Reed, Rosemount
VOTER TURNOUT
I ran; I lost, but many didn't weigh in at all
I was a first-time candidate for a suburban house race in Minnesota ("Cynicism deters candidates, voters," editorial, Nov. 14). Although I typically spend summer and fall doing much of the activities we Minnesotans all love — boating, golfing, family vacations — I signed up to be a candidate, and that meant much time this year was dedicated to knocking on doors, making phone calls and attending meetings. My opponent was doing the same. On Nov. 4, it was up to the voters to decide, and my opponent triumphed with a total of 9,083 votes. I called her to congratulate her, and she thanked me for keeping the campaign "healthy."
Our district had one of the state's highest turnouts, but looking at the 9,807 registered voters who did not turn up at the polls, I am not sure it was a "healthy" campaign season.
Denise Packard, Rosemount
COLLEGE COSTS AND CUTS
Is U in denial about what students face?
University of Minnesota regent Richard B. Beeson omits critical facts in his Nov. 5 counterpoint "4 ways the U is holding down student debt."
The cost of an undergraduate degree is not limited to the debt incurred ("less than a new car"). That debt is incurred only after students and their parents have exhausted savings and student earnings. Beeson also fails to recognize the debt incurred by students in the graduate and professional schools (in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 for many).
The reduction in the percentage of operating expenses paid by the state is not simply the result of a reduction in state appropriations. The U budget exploded from $2 billion in 2002 to $3 billion in 2012. Skyrocketing tuition far exceeded the reduction in state appropriations.
The calculation of net price classifies student loans as "financial aid." The Minnesota Daily (March 31, 2011, editorial) refers to a U administration that relies on this calculation as being "driven to deception."
The cost savings "identified" by the administration have been exceeded by increases in other administrative costs. The report on administrative costs presented to the regents in October once again shows a net increase in administrative expenses. Those costs now consume 29 percent of the total operating expenses listed in the report.
