Letters to the editor for Monday, Jan. 19

As we prepare to inaugurate a new president, I want to thank President Bush for his service for the last eight years. He has more than earned his share of the peace, freedom and liberty he has worked so hard during his presidency to secure for the rest of America's citizens.

Like just about every citizen during the term of every president since the founding of this republic, I have not agreed with every decision Bush has made or every act he's taken. But there is no doubt of his devotion to this country and his desire to see it -- and its citizens -- prosper. As a result, he will be leaving the nation in a better condition than he found it, surely the aspiration of anyone that assumes the mantle of leadership and one President-elect Barack Obama would do well to adopt as well.

Thank you again, President Bush, and as they say in the Navy: Fair winds and following seas.

C.J. SIMONES, FARMINGTON

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After watching President Bush's farewell speech I'd like to give my farewell to the 43rd president of the United States: Just go away. Go far away. Go very, very far away. And when you've gone as very, very far away as you think you can, dig down deep and go even farther away.

PAT PROFT, WAYZATA

Perhaps he kept track of the number of days he spent away from his office in Minnesota while he campaigned for John McCain. He should be able to determine the amount to deduct from his salary based upon the number of days he was away from the state.

CHARLES GUSTAFSON, MINNEAPOLIS

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Gov. Pawlenty's approach to our state's budget woes -- expect cuts everywhere, no tax revenue increases -- is in direct conflict with the DFL-controlled Legislature.

Great will be the day when our Legislature is forced to seriously apply "kitchen table economics" and, thereby, responsibly address government spending in concert with Minnesota's long-term, socioeconomic best interests.

When it was learned that Joe the Plumber was behind in his property taxes, the Ohio attorney general and the media went into his entire life history as if he were a hardened criminal.

And when it was learned that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 on Sarah Palin's wardrobe, you would have thought the woman had embezzled the money.

Now comes Barack Obama's choice for secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner, and what do we learn? That he did not pay self-employed taxes for the years 2001 through 2004, then only ponied up after he was audited, and then only for the years he was audited. Finally, when he was nominated for the Treasury post, he ponied up the rest. And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid calls this nothing more than a hiccup?

I suppose in Reid's world, where cushy land deals abound by the minute, a tax evader would be akin to a hiccupper, especially since the man who nominated Geithner was himself the recipient of a cushy land deal.

BOB HUGE, EDINA

Being the classy guy that he is, Tony has chosen to pass along the valuable lessons he's learned through his coaching by spending more time with his family and doing community work.

January is National Mentoring Month. It is a great time to consider ways in which we can mentor those in need of support. All of us who have been successful in life can point to at least one mentor -- teacher, coach, friend, neighbor or family member -- who has inspired and encouraged us along life's journey. Let's all pass along what we've learned, as Tony has chosen to do.

To learn about mentoring opportunities in Minnesota, contact www.mentoringworks.org or www.kinship.org.

Also, Jan. 22 is "Thank Your Mentor Day." Please take time to thank an important mentor in your life.

DAN JOHNSON, MINNEAPOLIS;