Readers Write (Oct. 7): Minnesota vs. Wisconsin, transgender policy, race relations, Ebola, DNA collection

An Oct. 4 letter ("The numbers tell the tale of ideologies") brings up interesting economic comparisons between Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, when one looks at the economic regions involved, a slightly different picture emerges. Wisconsin, part of the Great Lakes Region, appears to be in line with most other states of that region. Interestingly Illinois, the only Democrat-led state in this region, has the lowest growth and second-highest unemployment rate, at 6.7 percent. Meanwhile, in Minnesota's own Plains Region, we are quite a bit behind states like North Dakota and South Dakota, both Republican-led, and their current high growth and low unemployment. Knowing this, I would assume that the letter writer will be voting for Jeff Johnson in this year's gubernatorial election. That is, unless ideology gets in the way.

Scott Latterell, Minneapolis

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While the Oct. 4 letter writer makes a case that Minnesota is doing better than Wisconsin, I would like to see more numbers. How about comparing the impact of taxes on the wages, cost of living and insurance costs? There is a steady stream every day of workers driving from Wisconsin to Minnesota. They prefer to live there and make the commute. Why? Could it be that their annual taxes are lower than those of their Minnesota counterparts? That $8,000 difference in annual pay is not a benefit if it is eaten up by $9,000 of additional taxes or living costs. Let's see the other numbers, not just the ones the letter writer likes.

Dave Zimmerman, Coon Rapids

TRANSGENDER POLICY

Many things go to the core of one's identity

The recent issues surrounding transgender youths in locker rooms should, perhaps, have been viewed with a more objective position. If the true concern underlying the request for change is that transgender youths should be allowed to explore that part of their life that is integral to their very identity even if it causes discomforts to others, then such a position should be applied unequivocally.

People whose faith is integral to their being should also be afforded the rights to express themselves. Children with nationality or racial customs should be allowed to explore without the fear of condemnation.

Numerous expressions of individuality have been purposely excluded from schools because of contrary views and the discomfort felt by those with opposing beliefs. Ask any devout person (of faith, nationality or race), and he or she will tell you that core beliefs and fundamental character cannot be turned off and on simply because of audience; however, such people are forced to curb and restrain expressions of their identity to show respect for those intolerant of their individuality.

If the right to express sexuality is advanced, then you must allow for the advancement of religion, national origin and racial customs by students who may embrace these facets as the core of their identity. Failing to provide equality across all unique character traits is discrimination.

Candice Ciresi, Apple Valley

RACE RELATIONS

Article shows why we seem to go in circles

Eureka. Chuck Chalberg has figured out a surefire method to cure America of its racism: treat misbehaving black-skinned people the same way you would treat misbehaving white-skinned people ("For racial progress, we just need a 'eureka moment,' " Oct. 6).

What Chalberg has identified, unfortunately, is not the solution to racism, but the problem. What he saw initially was a misbehaving black-skinned student, not a misbehaving student.

As a white-skinned man with black-skinned relatives, I can assure you that punishment of misbehavior is not their central fear; rather, it is the automatic suspicion that their lawful behavior is simply concealing unlawful behavior. The black-skinned guy sitting in the skyway; Trayvon Martin walking down the street in a hoodie; being 6 feet 5 with your hands up — these are but a tiny daily sliver of this terror.

Chalberg associated his student's misbehavior with his blackness, which merely needed a white-skinned man to straighten him out. Indeed, he acknowledges that the same misbehavior in a white-skinned student would not be associated with his whiteness but with that individual student's rudeness. The rest of the white-skinned class would never be implicated. Not so in black America.

James McGovern, Minneapolis

EBOLA

Ground flights from West Africa for now

According to the World Health Organization, the confirmed cases of Ebola in West Africa are doubling every three weeks. Unless checked, that means 12 million people will be infected within the next three years. We already have authoritative immunologists warning that the body temperature monitors used on West Africans leaving on international flights are useless.

Our federal authorities have a fundamental obligation to end airline flights from West Africa to the United States until this deadly virus is contained.

Mark H. Reed, Plymouth

PRIVACY RIGHTS

Collect DNA; benefits outweigh drawbacks

An Oct. 6 letter writer advocates against maintaining a DNA database on all citizens (in response to an earlier writer's suggestion that collecting the data could discourage violence against women by making convictions more likely). He also states his belief that all people are fundamentally good. Why then the paranoia that the data could be used with evil intent?

Carrying a live cellphone reduces privacy. Any criminal or mentally ill person can steal or find a gun for sale on the street. Any doctor test or blood donation provides a blood sample. Life is not private.

DNA has many purposes for good beyond criminal identification. Remains of missing persons' DNA can be matched to current family for identification. Current and future genetic research will map out our life/disease profiles and educate us on early intervention. There will be better outcomes for allergy research and remedies.

Take my DNA and use it to useful purpose, all you good people.