Readers write for Friday, Oct. 16

I am appalled by the news that the Wilder Foundation will be cutting all of their metro residential treatment services for kids with emotional/behavioral disorders (Star Tribune, Oct. 15). When we as a state start to turn our backs on our needy children, their families and those who care for them, we should feel nothing but shame. Clearly our priorities are horribly out of whack, and all of us will suffer because of it.

THOMAS LUCY, ST. PAUL

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It's disappointing but not surprising news that the Wilder Foundation is forced to eliminate several services it provides. Not surprising because year after year of underfunding the social and health care safety net in Minnesota has an impact. Cuts at a large and prominent institution like Wilder garner headlines, but if similar cuts at hundreds of organizations across the state were aggregated, I think people would be shocked. This isn't the same Minnesota in terms of our level of commitment to people facing significant challenges in their lives, sad to say.

I also want to commend the leadership at Wilder, especially President Tom Kingston. Reducing programs that meet real needs for individuals and families isn't easy, but they found the easiest way by being strategic, compassionate and transparent. Tom's distinguished career of service to the community, including guiding Wilder through this difficult transition, is commendable.

STEVE CRAMER, MINNEAPOLIS;

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING, INC.

I'd like to offer some advice to Zygi Wilf before relocating the team to Los Angeles. He may want to check with the Los Angeles Chargers. Or the Los Angeles Rams. Or the Los Angeles Raiders.

Let's review -- the Vikings have had years of sold-out games in the Metrodome and have made more money than most of us could in several lifetimes. And Wilf might consider moving the team to a city that three pro football teams have left?

If that's his decision, I'll help him pack.

TOM EDWARDS, FOREST LAKE

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Fact: A Viking stadium brings more to the community than "a shared passion, a fun diversion." It brings income to the state and its taxpayers.

The Metrodome was built for $55 million, with $33 million in public dollars raised primarily through local entertainment taxes in Minneapolis. The state contributed nothing. Since 1982 the Dome has generated $245 million in taxes, $234 million of which went to the state. The Vikings are directly responsible for $126 million of that revenue.

In 2008 the Vikings paid $240,000 in property taxes, nearly $11 million in payroll withholding from players and staff, approximately $3 million in sales tax, and more than $4 million for admission tax to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. The grand total is more than $18 million. The "indirect" impact of the Vikings in downtown Minneapolis, some say, raises that level to as much as $30 million annually.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell already said the Vikings need a new stadium. What that means is that 31 other owners will let the Vikings relocate if they don't get a new stadium. If we don't care, then let 'em go. But be prepared for no taxes from one of Minnesota's big taxpayers and less money for "schools/roads/environment."

MICHAEL SNYDER, MINNEAPOLIS

He started it several years ago with his hilarious concept for helping elders save on prescription medications: Just go to Canada since medicine is cheaper there! Ha ha! Crazy Canadian legislators already took care of it, so we don't have to!

His current concept involves allowing Minnesotans to buy their health insurance from other states, as it's cheaper there! Hilarious! Other states already deal with some cost issues, so let's take advantage of their foresight and legislative courage!

I hate to spoil a punch line, Gov. P, but I can see it: Minnesotans who feel a grim disease coming on should just go to France (or England, or Norway, etc.) for treatment: It's free there! Those Europeans are a riot!

Well, it's actually not very funny, but you've got to admire the for maintaining such a straight face. Ha ha.

MARIA JETTE, EXCELSIOR

The article says the industry "plans to strike out" against attempts to reform health care in this country "after months of collaboration."

In what world of the reporter's and editors' fantasies did that collaboration take place? It wasn't real-world America.

The industry always has fought meaningful reform of what is laughingly called our health care "system." The only thing the insurance companies ever have seriously collaborated on is the systematic victimization of the American public.

I find it interesting and appalling that the media are so willing -- make that apparently eager -- to act as public relations agents for an industry that has done nothing but harm to this country and its people.