Letters to the editor for Dec. 19, 2008

Recent headlines by the Star Tribune regarding the Senate recount are attempts to stir up controversy. The recount is not "muddled" or "messy." It's simply very close, so every vote counts! Because of Minnesota's election laws -- which are the best in the nation -- and thanks to our public servants, such as Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and countless other election officials and volunteers, we are serving as an example to the nation. This is how elections can be conducted fairly and honestly. This is how to count all the votes.

DAVE THOMAS, MINNEAPOLIS

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A Dec. 15 article on rejected absentee ballots carried a provocative headline ("A nasty bug in the system crawls out") and claimed that the rejected absentee ballots are the "biggest flaw in Minnesota's election system."

To safeguard the system, when filing an absentee ballot, there are five clearly stated rules to follow. Fail to do so, and your ballot will be rejected. What exactly is the problem?

DON ENGEBRETSON, EXCELSIOR

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It's time for a do over.

DAVID BEHLING, ALBERT LEA, MINN.

With all due respect to the Catholic Church, their "Immigration Sunday" is not about immigrants, but illegal aliens. Its basis for "Immigration Sunday" is in response to the arrest of illegal immigrants at the Swift and Co. meatpacking plant.

The church says our immigration policy needs to be changed. We can all agree on that. This country, with more than 300 million people, is currently overpopulated. We need to end all immigration completely. We don't need any more legal immigrants or illegal aliens to add to the burden we already have.

HAROLD OLSON, MINNEAPOLIS

As part of the proposed bailout, Republicans in the Senate asked that the union accept the wages that the nonunion autoworkers receive. The UAW said no.

The union's stance flies in the face of reason. Option 1: Take the reduction in pay to help the company they work for to survive and continue to provide them with a job. Option 2: Refuse to accept a lower wage and most likely the company will go out of business. They will then have no job and no salary.

It should be a no-brainer.

BRIAN MARSH, SPRING LAKE PARK

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REGINA DRISCOLL, ST. PAUL

A Dec. 16 letter writer from Minneapolis is upset with the picture of Tom Petters in his orange prison jumpsuit that has been published by the Star Tribune ("Picturing Petters / Paper should find a more neutral photo").

Well, we certainly don't want to show any disrespect to Mr. Petters. Here's a great picture idea: Petters, Bernard Madoff and Gov. Rod Blagojevich smiling, arms around one another and giving each other high fives.