Top 10 Republican proposals for health care reform:
10. Slow down.
9. Not so fast.
8. The issue clearly needs more study.
7. We have our own comprehensive solution right here on this single sheet of paper we're holding in our hands but not showing you.
6. What's the rush?
5. The public option: Are you a French Communist?
4. Health care is not the issue. Government, as always, is the issue.
3. Did we mention frivolous lawsuits? We can't move forward until something's done about frivolous lawsuits.
2. We've got ours -- what's the problem?
1. No.
RICHARD ROBBINS, MANKATO
Many thanks to Jon Tevlin for "A good deed, a good dog," his Oct. 27 column about Dr. Joel Locketz, a veterinarian who went out of his way to save a little girl's dog without much expectation of ever being compensated, and Elaine Franczak, the girl who found the vet 20 years later, wrote a poignant thank-you letter and offered to pay the bill.
This is the type of story that should be on the front page from time to time. It's a great reminder of the importance of kindness and of the importance of saying, "thank you." Thank you!
DAVID KAISER, APPLE VALLEY
Talk about passing the buck ("TVs the tiniest of ills at Moose Lake," Oct. 26). It would seem Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis, needs also to take responsibility -- that is, if finding blame is the primary objective.
After all, Berglin chairs the Health and Human Services Budget Committee of which the sex offenders program falls under. Did not the Moose Lake request have to be approved by this committee prior to presentation to the Legislature, and eventually signed by the governor?
Ms. Berglin, please take off your DFL Party pin, and while you're at it, ask the governor to remove his GOP pin. The people elected you, legislators and our governor, to solve problems and not to spend your time and our tax dollars playing the blame game. Blame is irrelevant and counterproductive, and quite frankly, we're sick of it.
Take responsibility for the privilege given you by the people of Minnesota to solve this $134,000-per-patient cost problem, and any other governmental issue within your power or authority for that matter, negatively affecting our state.
The bottom line is our governor's problems are also yours and mine. All Minnesotans have a vested interest in problems being solved and not blame being passed.
KURT CAVALIER, CHAMPLIN
•••
Linda Berglin's article exposing the costs per patient at Moose Lake ($134,000 per year or $365 per day) should set off a shock wave throughout the state and especially in the legislative and executive departments.
As the senator indicates, the high-priced TVs are probably only a minor factor in one of the most, if not the, expensive sex offender programs in the country. To most people, it seems out of the realm of reality that it can cost more to house and treat one patient than the combined total incomes of three average Minnesota families.
A thorough intensive investigation must be done to find out how the money is being spent. The cure rates -- no patients have ever been released -- adds an even more incredible aspect to this issue. If the money is being spent on psychotherapy it appears that it is being totally wasted. Many people probably wonder about eliminating the sex drive as a very inexpensive cure for their disorders. Is it a legal option for the patient or the state?
JOHN FARNHAM, MINNEAPOLIS
Since vehicle confiscation was implemented as a combative law enforcement procedure aimed at the troubling matter of DUIs, I have felt something ominous and draconian about the law, not only as a preventative tool, but as a useful societal strategy. Therefore, I was pleased to read (Oct. 29) of the Edina woman prevailing in her suit to have the family car -- her lawful property -- returned.
I'm less interested in her personal circumstances than I am in the chilling effect such "lawful" actions have upon the underpinning of our personal freedoms and liberties. Moreover, in such a simple and straightforward matter as this I am reminded of what is to still be learned from the basic tenet of the Golden Rule. I think the Edina police chief would be less embracing of this law were it his own son or daughter causing the confiscation of his family's vehicle.
JAMES BOYER, MINNEAPOLIS
Could it be that presidential campaign fatigue is responsible for Tim Pawlenty consistently overflying the State Capitol and why he is so frequently absent from the governor's office? Perhaps he needs to be grounded, suspended and examined so that he can resume piloting our state.
WILLARD B. SHAPIRA, ROSEVILLE
The view from our North Loop loft of the new Twins Stadium is probably one of the best in town, and lately it's been especially bright. The first night it was great; we imagined the inaugural season and fun times in the new ballpark. The second, third and fourth night, I began to wonder: Is this why my Hennepin County property taxes increased 26 percent?
After the 10th, and subsequent, bright nights, I wondered if those making the lights-on decision have been under a rock and missed the countless messages to save energy.
And, the last time I looked, our state, city and county were in deficit spending. I'm no light expert, but they seem to be working just fine.
Let's save a few bulbs for April.
LORI K. PETERSON, MINNEAPOLIS
It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.
