Readers write for March 22, 2010

It has become clear that advocating new taxes or tax increases is the kiss of death, politically. Just ask former Vice President Walter Mondale about his failed bid for the presidency. Grover Norquist's mantra of "no new taxes" has trapped Gov. Tim Pawlenty into holding out on tax increases.

While that may be popular among voters, it does nothing to address critical public needs. So let's get rid of the term "taxes" and call them what they really are -- public investments.

ROGER HARROLD, EDINA

As one of the 12,000 voters who had absentee ballots rejected in the 2008 election, I urge legislators to support early voting to make sure that these problems don't happen again. Our system was not built to process the large number of absentee ballots we saw during the last election.

Early voting would allow people to cast a ballot 15 days before the election and have the peace of mind of knowing that their vote was counted. It's the best way to address the growing trend of voters casting a ballot before Election Day, and it would bring more integrity to the process. The alternative is to ignore the issue and hope that these problems do not happen again. But as the 2008 election demonstrated, voting is too important to leave to chance.

KEVIN JAMES BROWN, WOODBURY

Human life is something special and should be the most valuable thing we possess and give. While reading the online story about the raffle for a woman's egg in the United Kingdom, I couldn't believe that we are now at the point where we would be auctioning off a person's life.

If you want children and are willing to spend that kind of money, why not adopt from a country like Haiti?

EMILY HOLDAHL, EDEN Prairie

Regarding the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, it seemed like nobody had ever heard of the WASPs ("WWII's unsung vets: The WASPs," March 11). Americans should spend more time learning about the herstory of the United States.

MITCH GAVIN, EDEN PRAIRIE

The government should help pay the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to fund more Conservation Reserve Program land. Lately I've been seeing a lot of pheasants and deer along the road. This is creating danger for the animals and drivers.

DEAN PRECHT, BIRD ISLAND

Many Minnesotans winter in Florida and Texas and are aware of the phenomena called the Red Tide.

This algae bloom in Texas is fostered by the runoff of phosphates and nitrogen into the Mississippi River basin.

We should do our part to minimize any contribution to the pollution. One way is to stop using fertilizers containing phosphorus. Our lawns will do just fine without it.

JOSEPH STENZEL, ROBBINSDALE