Letters to the editor for Wednesday, Jan. 9

Minnesotans, don't be fooled. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent pronouncement about immigration policies is only the latest addition to the list of bugbears for the 2008 elections ("Is Pawlenty's plan for immigration aimed at a VP slot?" Jan 8).

We should promptly place it next to gay marriage, prayer in schools, partial-birth abortions and terrorist threat level orange. And we should remember that bridges are falling down in this state.

As governor, Pawlenty is certainly entitled to propose new immigration policies for the state. I urge the Legislature to give the policies due consideration and to review all of the arguments that have already been made on the issues. That should take about a day. After approving or rejecting the new policies I would hope that they could move on to the more pressing issues for the state.

KEN ALLEN, ST LOUIS PARK

No quotes needed Why were quotes around the word illegal in Nick Coleman's Jan. 8 column, "Election year is apparently a bad time to be an 'illegal,'" on immigration? There's nothing incorrect about referring to those who are breaking the immigration laws of the United States as illegal, because that's exactly what they are.

Coleman, like the rest of those on the left who support immigration amnesty, insists that opposition to illegal immigration is thinly veiled opposition to immigration. I know of nobody who opposes immigration so long as it's done in accordance with the law. This country was built by immigrants, and legal immigration strengthens us all.

What we don't need is a flood of immigrants who, by their very presence here, demonstrate that they do not feel the need to obey the law.

Throw the bums out Social Security is going broke and yet experienced career politicians like John McCain and Hillary Clinton supported extending Social Security benefits for illegal aliens. Can you believe that? Agents of change?

The change that is needed is term limits and iron-clad restrictions preventing these career politicians from becoming lobbyists when they're out of office.

ALAN RICHTER, MINNEAPOLIS

The Jan. 4 editorial "Make JOBZ more accountable to public" made a very good point, but omitted a missed opportunity last legislative session.

My home, Chisago County, is home to two high-profile JOBZ projects: Andersen Windows in North Branch and Polaris Industries in Wyoming. The return on our public investment in these projects is unknown -- even basic facts are unclear. The state's Department of Employment and Economic Development job-growth numbers significantly differ from those reported to our local economic development authorities.

The bill was praised by all sides of the JOBZ debate. Those who think JOBZ is great believe that more oversight would show a successful program. JOBZ skeptics like myself believe more oversight will expose its failures. Unfortunately, the veto stamp left all of us unsatisfied, still waiting for more information, again.

The governor and the Legislature must embrace oversight and transparency at every turn possible. Only after making information readily accessible to policymakers and the public can we ask the key question: Is JOBZ providing a good return on our public investment?

REP. JEREMY KALIN, DFL-NORTH BRANCH

We learned in the Jan. 5 Star Tribune that college students from St. Olaf and Carleton likely handed the DFL the District 25 Senate seat in last week's special election.

Is this representative democracy? In the spring, the students will pack their bags, while long-term residents and the rest of the state live with the consequences of giving the DFL Senate a veto-proof majority.

CRAIG VANDERAH, PRIOR LAKE

Kudos to Christine Brunkhorst, the teacher from St. Thomas Academy who wrote a Jan. 6 commentary comparing the wonder of reading a good book with the brain-dead activity of electronic games, an obsession of so many of our youth, particularly boys.

I hope her students heed her words. We can all take a lesson from this marvelous instructor.

VICTORIA K. HAMMOND, GOLDEN VALLEY

Kudos to Dennis Anderson for his observations in "Big fish tale" on Jan. 6. Moving the walleye opener up by one week might not be of much consequence on the Minnesota/Iowa border, but it would be of huge consequence for the northern part of the state.

Myself and my fishing buddies are fine with chilly weather, but when launching a boat when the thermometer at the boat launch says 25 degrees with a north wind howling at 15 to 20 miles per hour, you tend to question your sanity. Once in the last few years we have postponed our trip because ice-out on our favorite lake was coming almost a week past the season opening date.

Anderson makes some good points regarding the walleye fishery, but, regarding Mother's Day, I suspect there are plenty of non-anglers out there who can keep Mom company on a Sunday afternoon in May.

STEVEN FAITH, EAGAN

Moms might disagree Dennis Anderson argues in his Jan. 6 column against changing the fishing opener so it doesn't fall on Mothers Day weekend because "perhaps Mom would rather be alone on her big day, anyway."

Did he poll all the mothers and grandmothers out there with children who have grown and moved away? The mothers who might enjoy some time alone are the ones with toddlers, and then what are the dads to do -- change diapers between walleye bites?