Readers Write for Tuesday, Nov. 10

Opinion poll after opinion poll finds that American's top two concerns are jobs and the economy. Congress totally ignores those two issues and spends its time (and our money) on a massive new entitlement for health care. It is supposed to save us money while costing $1.3 trillion.

Was anybody listening at the town hall meetings and tea parties? Maybe you will listen after November 2010.

CHRIS SCHONNING, ANDOVER

•••

Get government out of health care? Let's get serious. Considering Medicare, Medicaid, health care for military veterans and public employees at all levels, the government already pays for half of the care provided in this country.

The VA hospital system is commonly regarded as providing the highest-quality care available in the United States. I don't hear any calls for the repeal of Medicare. The only complaint I've heard about government health care is that recipients get better care than most families in the private sector.

It is time for the Republicans to stop fear-mongering on behalf of the insurance industry, and start representing the people who elected them.

•••

Congratulations and thank you to the members of the House of Representatives and to the Obama administration for passing a health care reform bill. Despite daunting odds and a determined campaign of misinformation, real progress is in sight. Let's encourage our senators to do the right thing and make this legislation happen.

BRUCE D. SNYDER, MENDOTA HEIGHTS

•••

U.S. Reps. Erik Paulsen, John Kline, Michele Bachmann and Collin Peterson get to choose from 11 plan options when choosing their own government-sponsored health insurance. How many options do the rest of us get to choose from if we are lucky enough to even have health care? Why don't they think we should all have the same options they enjoy?

The Nov. 9 letter writer who questioned whether Democrats would stop "calling out" Gov. Tim Pawlenty for running for president now that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is running for governor has it half right.

All Minnesotans should be outraged that our employees, hired by us, are blatantly shirking the sworn duties of their jobs and are pursuing another one, and on our dime.

We need employees -- mayors, members of Congress, governors -- who work for us 110 percent of the time. In today's environment and today's economy, nothing less is acceptable.

ROGER NUNN, EDINA

Attorney General Lori Swanson is right to oppose any change to our state's law banning "robocalls" (Star Tribune, Nov. 9). These calls are disruptive and usually unwelcome, no matter who originates them.

And there's little doubt that many of our politicians would like to see Minnesota's law changed -- at least one is currently using "robocalls" to announce telephone town meetings.

BILL STEINBICKER, MINNETONKA

Like the author of the Nov. 6 Letter of the Day, I too noticed President Obama's salute as the caskets arrived at Dover Air Force Base.

I served in a war 40 years ago without a well-defined mission or attainable goal. I can say, without reservation, that I would have preferred a commander in chief to stand ramrod straight, look me in the eye and explain my mission to a snappy salute at my funeral.

JAMES M. BECKER, LAKEVILLE

The former secretary of state delivered her speech under a huge arch-like structure with the Hebrew words for "Truth, Justice, Peace" on it. What a setting for a high government official who helped lie us into war, and who says "we did not torture anyone."