Readers write for Sunday, Feb. 28

After watching the entirety of the health care summit and listening to the many presenters, I am ready to declare the president the smartest person in the room.

PETE BOELTER, NORTH BRANCH

I extend my thanks to the Star Tribune for sending a superb team of journalists to the Vancouver Olympics. It has been a pleasure to read the reports and commentary of Rachel Blount, Jim Souhan and Michael Russo, and to view the photographs of Brian Peterson. Your reporters have admirably captured the drama, joy and heartbreak that inevitably accompany the games. I especially appreciate the generous coverage of Minnesota athletes, including those in the less known and glamorous sports.

GARY MEYER, ST. ANTHONY

Our legislators seem to have a problem addressing what looks to be a no-brainer decision on racinos in Minnesota. Could Kansan lawmakers be smarter than ours are?

Kansas legislators have taken a realistic approach to casino gaming. In 2007, they authorized casinos in four areas of their state, with the revenues going into the state's coffers. Private developers will build and manage the casinos.

But the state owns the rights to the gambling and all related equipment.

JOHN R. PENAS, WOODBURY

In his Feb. 24 letter, Rep. Keith Downey incorrectly states that we asserted in our Feb. 21 commentary that "we shouldn't try to improve" government. He must not have read the entire article.

To the contrary, while making the case for raising taxes, we twice emphasized that efforts must be redoubled to improve government performance. We wrote that we need to "cut more judiciously [and] vigorously pursue government redesign to improve efficiency."

We also said: "Minnesotans are right to want the right price for government and the best quality possible. We need to set goals and improve government performance. Initiatives by foundations and civic groups are underway to redesign our most costly governmental systems so that we get better results for the dollars we spend. And we must insist that our new governor bring energy to restoring Minnesota's tradition of good-government innovation."

Also, Downey is at odds with the Minnesota Revenue Department itself in his insistence on using raw per capita tax dollars, unadjusted for income, to make the case that Minnesota is a high-tax state. A Revenue Department analysis has concluded that Minnesota is "just about average" in taxes, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development asserts that Minnesota business taxes are competitive with other states.

PRESIDENT, GROWTH & JUSTICE

Kudos to the Star Tribune for its recent coverage of Haiti through the eyes of Minnesotans.

We need to be reminded that needs in Haiti will be great for years to come. It is so easy to send money and look away. Thank you for the in-depth reporting and photos that gave us such a close look at daily life in Haiti ("Saving Haiti one life at a time," Feb. 21). I couldn't wait for the rest of the series. (Note: I am the proud mother of Dr. Brett Hendel-Paterson, who was featured.)

DONNA QUINNEY HENDEL, FERGUS FALLS, MINN.

I just finished reading the Feb. 21 article by Dennis Anderson about Jerry Hanson ("Runaround"). Wow! What a sportsman. A man with four hounds -- well-fed and pampered, I am sure -- was able to chase a female coyote (with only three legs!) for four hours and then shoot her!

So now the coyote is dead, and what is the reward? It has "zero" effect on the population of the coyote, and maybe $10 for the pelt.

Calling that "sport" is a gross misuse of the word.

I am sickened.