Readers write for March 4, 2010

Many have expressed dismay and even anger with the recent budget cuts and the failure of the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) override. Some have even gone so far as to say these actions are immoral and that they stray from the teachings of Christianity. But Christianity does not teach us that government programs should take care of the less fortunate. We, the people, are supposed to take care of those less fortunate.

Research shows that the high end of most personal giving caps out at around 3 percent. The difference between giving 3 percent vs. 10 percent across all personal incomes in the United States represents a massive amount of untapped money that could greatly assist existing and new charitable programs to help the less fortunate. And there would be two other benefits to reliance on personal giving: Reputable charities are exceptionally efficient with their budgets, and some charities even go so far as to heal ailing souls. Where good charities succeed, our government fails miserably.

MONICA PAQUETTE, MINNEAPOLIS

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Because it seems that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is insistent on solving Minnesota's budget difficulties on the backs of our state's most vulnerable citizens, such as the 30,000 poor who lost benefits under the GAMC program, perhaps he next should consider following the lead of South Carolina. Lawmakers in that red state are now poised to eliminate funding of a program that provides services to 26,000 residents with disabilities like autism, Spina bifida and being wheelchair-bound, among others.

If anyone can think of another vulnerable population that can be exploited in lieu of raising revenues, just contact the governor's office. I'm sure he'll listen.

GARY L. DUNN, ANDOVER

Why shouldn't the Vikings raise ticket prices? You know darn well that you can protest all you want, but when the season starts, you'll be first in line.

PETER CLARK, ROSEVILLE

How disappointing that politicians from both major political parties are now shilling for the nuclear power industry and deceiving the public about the costs, benefits and risks of nuclear power plants ("A consensus is emerging on nuclear power," March 3). Commentary authors and congressmen Tim Walz and Erik Paulsen both mislead the public when they assert that nuclear power is clean.

If you look at the nuclear fuel life cycle and the fossil fuels involved in mining, refining and shipping uranium -- not to mention the massive costs associated with decommissioning nuclear plants -- nuclear energy is far from clean and may use more energy than the plants produce.

As far as safety, maybe Paulsen and Walz would like to explain why no private insurance companies will insure a nuclear plant? (Instead the government had to pass the Price-Anderson Act, which puts the financial burden of any nuclear spill on the American taxpayer.)

STEPHEN KRIZ, MAPLE Grove

It is a simple fact that zoning laws are a tool for like-minded people to group themselves in isolation from the rest of the world. It is self-imposed segregation based on economic means. This is done with a lot of high-minded language about traffic (very bad), noise (equally bad), pollution (truly evil), public safety (unassailable) and the "character" of the neighborhood (always to be preserved).

Whenever you hear about a public project such as the Emily Program clinic being opposed by local residents ("Residents in Orono line up against clinic," Feb. 28), what you are hearing is this: "We paid a lot of money to buy this house and we don't want anyone else to mess with it."

Elected local officials understand that their constituents are not going to tolerate anything that even remotely threatens the museum-quality environment. Export the problems just like all the other unpleasant things that are put somewhere else and leave my neighborhood alone.

GEORGE HUTCHINSON, MINNEAPOLIS

As David Schultz, a professor and political observer from Hamline University, suggests, Pawlenty began running for president rather than governing Minnesota as early as 2003. And we Minnesotans have paid the price of his ambition.