Letters to the editor for Sunday, Jan. 18

Gov. Tim Pawlenty couldn't have chosen a more compelling theme in delivering last week's State of the State message. In speaking of "the couple at the kitchen table" sifting through bills as the children sleep, he underscored lawmakers' obligation to help shield "ordinary Minnesotans" from the worst effects of the current recession. Yet in Pawlenty's view, the best way to get through these difficult times is to cut most assistance programs and freeze personal tax rates. His conviction demonstrates the governor knows less about the lives of his neighbors than he imagines.

As the economy crumbles, many Minnesotans are finding themselves without any sort of kitchen table at all. The quandaries they face extend far beyond deciding which bill to pay first. Those hurt most by this economic crisis have more reason to fear next month's mortgage premium -- or perhaps even where they'll find their next meal -- than the prospect of a tax hike.

Indeed, approving such an increase is the wisest way to close the state's budget gap and properly fund human services. It's also the fairest: The progressive design of the state income tax assures that the poor pay little and the wealthy contribute most to underwrite our social infrastructure.

Whether they sit at a kitchen table or beneath a bridge, all Minnesotans deserve public support when grave misfortune strikes. This state can't possibly fulfill that charge without raising the income tax. Contrary to Pawlenty's claim, such a policy change would ease far more distress than it would cause.

LIZ KUOPPALA, EVELETH, MINN.;

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

MINNESOTA COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

The problem, as Sturdevant acknowledges, is that the situations now and then "aren't quite parallel." In 1962, DFL challenger Karl Rolvaag had to go to court to get a recount. In 2008, the recount kicked in automatically. But for some reason, Sturdevant seems to suggest that Rolvaag's lawsuit is analogous to Coleman's recent decision to contest the recount results. It's not.

Here's where the true parallels lie: The 1962-1963 recount ended with the DFLer leading (by 91 votes) and the 2008-2009 recount likewise ended with the Democrat ahead (by 225 votes). In both cases, the Republican incumbent had to decide whether to challenge recount results in court.

The difference? Elmer Andersen, citing "what was best for Minnesota," decided to walk away from the fight; Norm Coleman chose to fight on.

DAVE KENNEY, ROSEVILLE

I will be very relieved to see Barack Obama seated in the White House.

J.D. STRAND, MINNEAPOLIS

As a family practice physician assistant (PA), I was troubled by the Jan. 11 article "Is there a doctor in the House?" Yes, PAs are utilized where there are doctor shortages, such as rural Minnesota, and surveys show a high level of satisfaction when patients see PAs. But the article quotes a PA stating, "We don't provide the same level of care" (as physicians).

This is entirely untrue. The profession's basic tenet is that a patient will get the same level and standard of care when seeing a PA compared to his or her physician counterpart. A PA who has questions about a case is obliged to seek the appropriate work-up, diagnosis and treatment plan through reading, discussing cases with his or her supervising physician or calling a specialist.

AMY FISHMAN, EDINA

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Since hiring PAs for our ER five years ago, complaints have plummeted to near zero; quality scores have improved markedly, and scores of improvement projects have been implemented.