Readers write for Feb. 10, 2010

Since they first appeared last summer, I have been trying to figure out if Tea Party members were truly principled Americans who had some wisdom to share with the rest of us or just sore losers whose candidate didn't win in the last election.

Their convention last week in Nashville finally answered my question. From Tom Tancredo's disparaging remarks, calling the 67 million who voted for Obama "civic illiterates," to Sarah Palin mocking the same 67 million as "hopey and changey," the Tea Partiers have finally revealed their true identity -- sore losers.

What is sadder is that the media treats these sore losers as if they have some serious thoughts to offer to the rest of us.

STEVEN ADAMS, MINNETONKA

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So Palin wants to know "How's all that hopey changey stuff workin' out for ya?" Apparently it's working out well for Palin, an election landslide loser who now makes buckets of money by baiting and sneering at those less wealthy and privileged than herself. The last thing this country needs is any more polarizing, ill-informed media celebrities like her.

LOIS STRAKA. EAGAN

Does it make any sense to build a new tent (stadium) for the big circus (Vikings) during dire economic times? The argument is always the threat of them moving. Please name a city or state that has an extra billion dollars laying around to spend on frivolity?

Like the rest of us, the Minnesota Vikings may just have to make do until better times.

DOUG CLEMENS, BLOOMINGTON

The Friends of St. Paul Baseball, a nonprofit group that focuses on maintaining safe and accessible fields for St. Paulites of all ages, takes exception to Dean Reinke's claim that the St. Paul Saints misuse Midway Stadium (Readers Write, Feb. 6). The Saints are a generous partner of amateur sports organizations throughout the state, having given invaluable assistance to several hundred amateur groups over the years.

Midway, a city park, is as old as the Metrodome, but has not been kept up as such and is long overdue for replacement. Indeed, it should be noted that the Saints tore up their original lease to pay for the last renovation in 1994.

Of the 160 dates, 50 are Saints games, which generate parking, concession and merchandise income for St. Paul. This revenue significantly offsets ballpark operational costs that otherwise would be borne by the city.

At a time when government is challenged to creatively solve many economic problems, the public-private partnership proposed by the city and Saints for a 7,500-seat regional ballpark in St. Paul's Lowertown should be encouraged, not denigrated. Replacing the dilapidated Midway makes good, common sense, and ensures the viability of, and respect for, amateur sports in our region.

BILLY PETERSON, WOODBURY

To the people who complain about a lack of choices in the two political parties (Letter of the Day, Feb. 4), I have some advice: Get off your duff and do something about it. Start a new party or change an existing one.

As a long-time DFL volunteer I can tell you politics is a lot of work. A lot of work. All of the caucuses held by both of the major parties -- 8,258 of them -- were done with volunteer labor and donated cash. I helped organize 34 caucuses, and it was a major effort.

Those of us who are volunteers do so because we think the way we are governed is important, even if 90 percent of this country is satisfied with complaining about it.

Politics belongs to those who show up. Sitting around complaining gets you exactly what you deserve -- nothing. Don't like the state of affairs? You've no one to blame but yourself.

JEREMY POWERS, FRIDLEY

So our governor-in-abstentia thinks the teacher's union members "stand in the way of almost every reform imaginable" and are always "demanding more money without reform."

I'm sure his annoyance with this powerful body will be curbed when the real campaigning starts and he comes around to the teacher's unions, the postal workers unions, the auto workers union, the electricians and the service industry workers and the dozens of other union workers in Minnesota looking for endorsements, contributions and to tap our legendary volunteerism.