Readers write, for Aug. 8, 2009

The Aug. 4 article "What if teachers ran Minnesota schools?" gave me a new outlook on public education. I am excited to see new and integrative ways of teaching while allowing schools to run their own curriculum and incorporate beneficial programs for the students.

Charter schools have the flexibility and ability to be innovative and try new models, which I believe is extremely positive. They can be extremely beneficial for students who are able to work independently and are very motivated.

But they aren't for every student. In my experience in working with students enrolled in charter schools, the independence of the program and a lack of adult guidance have led to students losing credits needed to graduate with their peers. The struggling economy means some parents don't have adequate time to assist their children's educational needs. Without the structure that a public school can give, an increase in students not earning full credit in charter schools is possible.

Students should be the No. 1 priority, and I believe that, in a self-governed school, they would be.

LACEY HENRY, Plymouth

I am sickened and saddened to hear of the young girl in Sandstone who starved to death (Star Tribune, Aug. 4). For many years, Minnesota has had a fine reputation of providing quality care to its citizens with disabilities. Now, we hear about Lakesha Victor's death, only a few months after we learned about the abuses at the facility in Cambridge that houses people with developmental disabilities.

I fear we are sliding back to darker days from many years ago, when abuses of people with disabilities were common in large institutions. Let's make Minnesota a state where all our citizens are respected, valued and treated with dignity.

PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCATE, ARC UNITED

The Aug. 1 Letter of the Day quoted the Scriptures to endorse the idea of the Vikings signing quarterback Michael Vick. That pushed me over the edge.

Certainly, Vick should be allowed to continue with his life, but by no means should he play in the NFL again -- and, please, especially not with the Vikings. Don't make us look at him weekly -- a sadist and animal brutalizer who could again become a role model for our children.

He had everything: money, wealth, fame and adulation. However, that wasn't enough to keep him from his lucrative hobby -- dog fighting. He had no qualms about hanging, drowning and crushing helpless dogs. He allowed them to be torn to shreds for sport and financial gain. He can never repay that debt.

Now he is contrite, and, of course, he would profess to be, since he wants to reclaim what he has lost.

STEPHANIE DODGE, MINNEAPOLIS

After reading state Sen. Linda Berglin's counterpoint to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's commentary on health care reform, I was wondering if she and I read the same article. The governor clearly indicates that he is for health care reforms -- several of which he listed that would help contain the ever-rising costs of health care in the United States. Berglin chides the governor for touting Minnesota as a model for holding health care costs in check "because the model he's touting is a state-run plan that is very similar to what [President] Obama is proposing." The state-run plan that was touted in the governor's article is the health insurance plan for state employees. It's unclear how this equates to what is currently under consideration in Washington.

Going into the health care debate, Obama indicated that he wanted a bipartisan bill. What's been proposed so far hasn't even come close. The common-sense proposals included in the governor's article deserve serious consideration, not more partisan attacks.

ROBERT SULLENTROP, MINNEAPOLIS

What do Minnesota and Arkansas have in common? Below-average economic progress, according to the Aug. 3 Star Tribune. At a time when Oklahoma and Missouri are experiencing better-than-average economic growth, experts predict Minnesota will likely wallow in the throes of a bad economy a full quarter longer than most other Midwest states.

Now Minnesotans are paying the price -- with the highest unemployment rates in three decades, more foreclosures and bankruptcies, and a daunting sense of uncertainty.

Instead of focusing his efforts on bringing Minnesota out of recession, Gov. Tim Pawlenty decided to cut and run -- run for president that is. Choosing to boost his conservative image, the governor used an ego-swinging power grab to slash the state budget and lay off thousands more Minnesotans on his rise to the national political stage.

Tim Pawlenty may have earned his conservative credentials for decimating state government, but he has done it at the expense of countless Minnesota jobs -- eroding our quality of life and delaying the state's economic recovery. It's a shame that getting to the top of the political ladder means throwing Minnesotans to the bottom rung.

REP. TIM MAHONEY, DFL-MINNEAPOLIS

Suppose I trade in my car for a bus pass, or, better yet, a bike. Can I get a rebate on that? Seriously, if we want to reduce our nation's dependency on oil, why don't we subsidize people for making lifestyle changes that lead to a significant reduction in oil consumption?