RETURN OF PAUL DOUGLAS
And the return of global warming propaganda
After the last couple of days of Paul Douglas, might I suggest that the Star Tribune move his column to the Opinion section? At a time when the data behind global warming is under increasing scientific scrutiny, you appear to have restored Mr. Douglas from the meteorological recycle bin to beat Al Gore's battered drum.
GLENN HORRELL, ST. PAUL
OLYMPICS' SORE LOSERS
Gold, silver and bronze medals and sour grapes
As seems to happen in every Winter Olympics, some of the runners-up in figure skating have engaged in well-publicized whining about the judging, claiming that they were robbed and the winner did not deserve the gold medal. My advice to current and aspiring figure skaters: Don't like finishing in second or third place in a judged event? Pick a sport with a stopwatch.
TONY KASTER, PLYMOUTH
MINNESOTA TAXES
We need to learn how to do more with less
In their recent Feb. 21 commentary ("The case for paying higher taxes, happily"), Charlie Quimby and Dane Smith try to convince us that government deserves a certain percentage of our statewide personal income, regardless of whether it could do the job for less. And worse, that we shouldn't try to improve!
Their preferred measure of government as a percentage of total statewide personal income is flawed. Frankly, it's part of the problem -- especially when they want to keep the level where it's at, while other states and countries improve.
It's this simple: A gallon of milk doesn't cost more after you get a raise; neither should government cost more simply because statewide personal income increases. In fact, as personal incomes grow, the need for government services should shrink, not increase.
The per-capita cost of government is the proper measure to track how we're doing. And, in that measure, we're eighth most expensive in the nation, according to the Minnesota Taxpayers Association.
