Readers write for Sunday, July 18: Green economy

Matt Entenza claims ("Grow to greatness with clean energy," July 11) that wind, solar and biofuels "could power Minnesota (and our nation) cleanly and reliably, forever" and that this can be done "without increased spending." Both of these statements are demonstrably false.

Barring a future scientific breakthrough, all forms of renewable energy will never account for more than a small fraction of our total energy consumption. Ethanol is proving to be an expensive dead end. Spain, Germany and other European countries have already demonstrated the inefficiency, impracticality and prohibitively high cost of wind and solar power.

It's time for politicians like Entenza to stop touting the false alternative of "green energy" as a solution to our current reliance on fossil fuels. Failure to do so will result in more taxpayer-subsidized waste and greater dependence on foreign oil.

PETER ABARBANEL, APPLE valley

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Mike Meyers ("A grand idea, likely to combust," July 11) states "Consistently high prices for conventional fuels ... are more likely than government to induce private investment and waves of innovation in alternative energy."

He is correct, and this makes the perfect case for a national carbon tax, admittedly not his intended conclusion.

A controlled transition to alternative fuels and energy conservation will not create an economic or environmental catastrophe. A carbon tax will provide the working capital as well as the incentive to a greener energy policy.

PHILIP LINGLE, PRINCETON

A big thank you to the gubernatorial candidates for bringing single-payer health care into the debate, allowing all Minnesotans to learn more of its details (Lori Sturdevant: "A DFL row over single-payer?" July 11). A single-payer plan such as the Minnesota Health Plan wins supporters whenever it gets a fair hearing, because it saves money and provides universal access to health care.

In addition, a single-payer plan returns the governance of health care to patients and providers. Private health insurance companies will not be in charge of what treatments are covered, nor will legislators or "the government." Quite simply, all necessary medical care will be covered. The administrators of the Minnesota Health Plan, an independent board of county commissioners, health care providers and consumers, are commissioned to make sure this happens.

DR. LISA NILLES, MINNEAPOLIS;

The last sentence of Katherine Kersten's column about Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ("Meet two who know how to be responsible," July 11) was: "Watch out, big spenders, wherever you are."

I don't remember reading anything from Kersten when George W. Bush was increasing the deficit which Bill Clinton had chiseled down.

HEIDI UPPGAARD, MINNEAPOLIS

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Kersten's article reminded me so much of a governor from Arkansas who once did many of the things she praises, such as balancing the budget. I wonder if she gets it?

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Thank you for an excellent article on how government should work. We need more men like Christie and Daniels throughout government, men who will curb spending and focus on the most important things, like jobs.

VIRGINIA BRAUN, INVER grove heights

I always read with amusement the articles in this paper about how people are changing their spending and consuming habits in response to the economic doldrums in which our country is wallowing ("On Second Thought ..." July 11). I've been practicing "smart shopping" for many years and, to me, secondhand stores have never had a "stigma." Many of the things people are doing now to save money -- canceling cable, shopping "used," eating out less, getting rid of unneeded items, etc. -- are things I've long been doing. It's called frugality, and it helps one put more money in the bank.

Newspaper articles are always exhorting people to spend, spend, spend, as that is one way to help grow the economy. On the other hand, it stands to reason that those of us who like to stash money in savings are also helping the economy. This is because then banks have that money to lend.

CARLENE DEAN, VILLARD, Minn.

To those who recently got excited about soccer and now are lamenting having to wait four years for another World Cup, I have to tell you that there is a World Cup next year.

The FIFA Women's World Cup begins June 26, 2011. The action is just as exciting as in its male counterpart.

The main difference in the Women's Cup is that in the five times it has been held, the United States has taken the Cup twice.