Readers Write (Dec. 11): Budget surplus, Eric Holder, Richard Cordray, marriage amendment, dishonored dead

As I listened to the governor and legislators discussing the budget surplus, I thought we were doing great. Then I saw other figures that gave me pause. We've borrowed more than $2 billion from our schools, causing them to borrow almost $400 million to make up state money that they didn't get last year.

Then there's the $600 million in interest for tobacco appropriations we owe. In addition, our homes are being devalued every year, but taxes continue to skyrocket. So before we start thinking of spending this money on a Vikings stadium, we better take a hard look at our fiscal reality.

The money is there to replenish what had been spent by the previous administration. We need to make our schools our priority. Minnesota has lost the great rating that it had a decade ago. Let's fix it by investing in education.

CHRISTEEN M. STONE, MAPLEWOOD

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I watched Eric Holder testify before the House Judiciary Committee and was disgusted. Democrats didn't asked a question about "Operation Fast and Furious," the gun-trafficking sting operation.

That leads this citizen to think Democrats care more about politics than they do about a murdered ATF agent. To not care to find more about why and how this brave man was killed is despicable behavior.

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The "party of no" is at it again. Senate Republicans blocked a vote on the president's nominee for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created as a part of the new financial regulation law.

Even though most Republicans agree that Richard Cordray is well qualified for the position, they refused to let a vote go forward.

The Republicans apparently don't think consumers should be protected from predatory financial practices, even though such practices contributed to the financial meltdown and Great Recession.

But if they don't like the law, they should try to change it, not block the nomination of a qualified appointee.

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I'm astounded at the remarks to Catholic bishops about same-sex relationships by Herbert W. Chilstrom, the former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ("Church leaders should engage, embrace all," Dec. 8).

I wonder if Chilstrom and I read the same Bible. My edition states pretty clearly that homosexuality is not OK with the Lord. Same-sex marriage violates the will of God, and violators of God's laws will always suffer his discipline, chastisement and judgment.

THOM HULL, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

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SHARYN HOLCOMB, MAHTOMEDI

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I'm a pastor who personally struggles with the temptation of same-sex attraction. The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is sin.

Those who continue in that behavior without repentance and faith in Christ will not inherit God's kingdom.

Therefore, it's crucial to abstain from that behavior. I was therefore grieved to read my former bishop encourage Catholic bishops to embrace homosexuality. It's the job of a Lutheran bishop to uphold the teaching of the Bible.

PASTOR TOM BROCK, Minneapolis

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As an Air Force veteran, I'm appalled, mortified and infuriated at the way my branch of the military has been treating our honored dead over the past few years ("USAF: Partial remains of 274 troops sent to landfill," Dec. 8).

Honor is the driving precept for the military. We honor those fallen in battle. They deserve to be honorably buried in Arlington National Cemetery, as befitting their sacrifice, should the survivors so choose.

That includes ashes and partial remains. Let others point fingers about this disgrace, I just want those responsible to stop treating difficult identifications as medical waste and throwing those remains out with the trash.

KEN BARR, ELK RIVER

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The consternation over the USAF's dumping of troops' remains into landfills is unnecessary. While I empathize with the families of the fallen, I find their appeals for the "undignified" actions unworthy of my time.

These families signed away their rights to know what happened in the event of a service member's death, so they have no right to complain about not being informed.

According to the article, the military was fully authorized to appropriately dispose of any remains. It chose to dump the ashes in a nearby landfill.