Readers write for Sept. 24, 2009

I am ashamed that so many of my generation are vocal about their opposition to health care for all Americans (front page, Sept. 22). Is there any generation that has had more from their government in their older age than we have now?

Social Security, Medicare, reduced drug expenses, rules that provide special benefits for those of us with disabilities, efforts to control the diseases to which we are most susceptible, long-term care services, medical research on problems most likely to affect our generation -- these are all government programs from which we benefit.

Instead of carping about a program to help people get the same considerations that we are fortunate enough to have, we should be helping bring them about for those who do not.

There are few of us who have benefited from Medicare who could not provide an example of where money spent on us was less than necessary. We should be offering suggestions to those trying to build a better health care system by suggesting how costs could be cut.

CHARLOTTE MUGNIER, MINNEAPOLIS

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There is a way to pay for health care changes, but it would require turning the public's head away from the needed, but additional, mantra of diet and exercise. It would require a recognition of the growing role of pollution in undermining our health.

Why don't we tax these environmental polluters to pay for the health care bill, since they are causing many of our health problems?

MARY MORIARTY, PLYMOUTH

As an educator here, I find it encouraging that Gov. Tim Pawlenty has gone on the record in favor of improving the quality of education to which students in Minnesota have access. As a charter school teacher, I find it even more encouraging that he has said he supports the charter school movement in Minnesota.

I find it frustrating, however, that his actions of late have been quite contrary to his supposed platform.

In a Sept. 19 Star Tribune article about Minnesota terminating its income-tax reciprocity with Wisconsin, Pawlenty was quoted as stating, "That delay is no longer acceptable, especially in light of the economic situation we face." The delay being a 17-month delay in income tax payments received by Wisconsin from Minnesotans that is then returned to the state of Minnesota.

Worse yet, public charter schools have not been provided with suitable options to secure low-interest loans to help cover the amount that is withheld, unlike public district schools, which at least have access to loan pools.

BENJAMIN SAUNDERS, MINNEAPOLIS

So, what would we rather have? A president spending the end of his first summer in office on a weeklong media blitz dealing with an extremely important subject, or taking a monthlong vacation clearing brush?

Some of these complaints are lacking historical perspective.

CLAYTON HAAPALA, MINNETONKA

The media are complaining that President Obama is too visible these days. Are we all crazy? We finally have a president who cares about health care, climate change, banking reform and human rights. Let's not complain when he does what leaders do -- sell their vision to the people as aggressively as they can.

LEW MORAN, MINNEAPOLIS

Not getting its way on routing of the Central Corridor light rail, the University of Minnesota administration is throwing a legal tantrum, suing the Metropolitan Council (Star Tribune, Sept. 23).

The Met Council is an extension of state government, with members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Entering the next legislative cycle with jaws clamped firmly to the hand that feeds it might prove less than productive for the university.

LES EVERETT, ST. PAUL

The governor is smart. He knows that every day of budget inaction makes things harder for any government in the future. Taxes and fees will have to increase and people will lose essential government services. Likely the governor's suitcase is an overnighter because he sure won't want to carry that heavy baggage on his next political trips.