Netlets for Wednesday, Jan. 21

Federal bailout should mean executive pay cut The world this week has witnessed the historical transfer of power of the presidency to Barack Obama. He inherits one of the worst situations in recent America's history. He is faced with a global economic recession; one TV commentator said that he has the most difficult job in the world.

The bailout of corporations using government funds is going to continue. President Obama, doing the most important job in the United States, will make $400,000 a year. Vice President Joe Biden will make $221,000. Executive salaries at those bailed-out corporations are orders of magnitude higher. Why not have every corporation that asks for a government bailout peg the highest annual salary of the executives of those corporations at the level of the president's and vice president's salary? Do these executives think they are worth more than the president of the United States? How many competent, intelligent people can do their job for $400,000 a year?

Let's call it "America's Salary System" for bailed-out corporate executives. Perhaps such a system would save these corporations so much money, from reduced executive salaries, that they would need less of our money. This system would be a powerful incentive for these executives to keep their incompetent, greedy, overpaid fingers in their pocket and out of ours!

President Obama asked us to sacrifice and to be innovative. When people say such a system won't work, I am willing to paraphrase the words of our president: Yes, it can. Yes, it can.

RIC CANEPA, PLYMOUTH

Could be the heart attack of America The Jan. 16 Star Tribune quoted from Chrysler officials that the $1.5 billion they just received would be for incentives on cars for people to buy, and easier credit for people with questionable credit. HELLO?! Isn't that what got us into this economic situation we're in now?

Maybe it's time that people learned to live within their own means, and not like the "Joneses" next door. I don't want my tax money going to help people buy a car they can't afford. Maybe they could look at all the used cars out there and "settle" for one of them.

A case for pardons An American president, vice president and defense secretary and others very likely committed the same crimes the Greatest Generation sacrificed all to obliterate. If citizens do not seek justice, we share equal responsibility for their crimes.

President Obama stated he will act if the Department of Justice finds culpability. But criminal trials would be arduous and embarrassing; indeed, unwanted distractions.

One possible path is President Obama immediately pardoning each man. Their instant immunity will require testimony under oath and expose their crimes more forcefully than if in the docket.

As circumspect as such justice seems, Liberty's beacon will shine all the brighter because all will know -- and envy-- that above all our secular governance bows before no ideology save truly lawful justice!

ROBERT HIVELY, WINONA, MINN.

MARY EASTWOOD, MAPLE GROVE

Schools failing students? The flaw is in the funding system I have reached the saturation point when it comes to reading and hearing that our public schools are currently failing too many students. I recognize that there are some inherent problems with public school education, but I also believe that our children are receiving an education that is directly related to the resources allocated. It's time our leaders recognize that it is not the schools that are failing our students, but rather a flawed system of funding along with classes that have too many children in them.

Rather than recognize the flaws in allocating dollars to schools and the costly issue of class size, the media along with partisan politicians are bogged down with issues ranging from vouchers to merit pay or Q Comp. They fail to acknowledge that students wash cars, sell magazines and candy to help finance school activities, and staff purchase supplies needed in their overcrowded classrooms.

It's time for educational leaders and state leaders to meet, as nonpartisans, and hammer out the "real fix" which is smaller classes and an alternative way of financing our public schools. The discussion needs to include the possibility of "full funding" by states.

If we truly believe that no child should be left behind, then it's time to eliminate the congestion, potholes and barricades so our children travel on an educational expressway headed straight to levels of intellectual and academic excellence commensurate to ability.