Readers Write for Friday, Dec. 11

Does anyone else see the hilarity on the front page of Thursday's Star Tribune? Do people really want a government, which takes 20 weeks to put a check in the mail from one of its own heralded programs, in charge of health care?

Not only will the current health care bill bankrupt our country, but it will be run by the same institution that has shown to be so effective in dispersing TARP funds to jump start the economy, cash for clunkers and the first-time home buyer tax credit!

DAN FLOOD, BLOOMINGTON

The queen of dysfunction splatters the op-ed page with her trademark shallow opinions in an effort to challenge the idea that we are warming up the planet with carbon dioxide emissions. As entertaining as it may be to read Sarah Palin's illogical and self-contradictory rant (Dec. 10), some readers may be tempted to take seriously the idea that we have no trustworthy science to back up the policy initiatives and public participation required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To these flat-earthers we can say that increases in average temperatures are happening whether or not they believe it. While precise consequences of this rise are controversial, there is broad consensus on the facts despite allegedly bad behavior on the part of some researchers. Behavior that Palin is both unable to understand and unqualified to pass judgment on.

GEORGE HUTCHINSON, MINNEAPOLIS

The Wildcat Sanctuary right here in Minnesota is the best place for the lost cougar. I have visited the sanctuary many times and am deeply impressed, especially with how much secure space is provided for the big cats. Sanctuary director Tammy Thies has offered to take the cougar. What a perfect solution!

Just a teeny, tiny hint to the University of Minnesota's students. In case you missed the Star Tribune's Dec. 8 article "U braces for more state funding cuts," please note that tuition increases for your education also include raises for the faculty and administration.

You won't find that out until the very last paragraph, which states, "One area that might be affected: The U froze wages but had planned a 2 percent increase in compensation next year." Guess who is going to pay for that "compensation"? It's known as higher education.

MICHELLE PETERSON, PLYMOUTH

Thirty thousand more troops to Afghanistan, a 10 percent unemployment rate and 40 parts per million of carbon too many in our atmosphere.

But the only number anyone seems to really care about is how many women Tiger Woods cheated with. What really counts?

What do Rep. James Oberstar and Vikings owner Zygi Wilf have in common? Both like to spend what they think is a bottomless pit of taxpayer money.

Oberstar makes a nice case for more public transportation (NLX Line) in his Dec. 8 letter to the editor. He sounds like a used car salesman by claiming the actual cost of the Minneapolis to Duluth NLX line will only be $615 million compared with the $1 billion that the Minnesota Department of Transportation proposes. A few things bother me about this:

First, who will use this line, and is it worth the huge taxpayer investment during these tough fiscal times? Second, why were his figures and MnDOT's so far apart? Third, how much money will the taxpayer have to spend each year to subsidize the operating budget of this new line? Fourth, how often are government cost estimates accurate or under budget? Fifth, is it 100 or 150 miles of line?

Rep. Oberstar, please do the taxpayers a favor and join your colleagues who have pledged no pork-barrel spending.

TOM O'CONNELL, PLYMOUTH

It is ridiculous how Minneapolis has so many different rules for parking on side streets. A good example is by Elliott Park. There are four different parking zones in a one-block radius.

Now, to add to the confusion, it is that time of year for snow emergencies. Where is it safe to park?