Readers Write (Jan. 8): Dayton's first year, Kersten's hope, labeling Hecker

As a first-term legislator, I view the governor's first-year performance differently than does the Star Tribune Editorial Board ("Dayton's first-year marks are high," Jan. 1).

In 2011, the state's biggest challenge was a $5 billion gap between proposed spending and anticipated revenue. The editorial was right in saying that the governor's tax increase proposal was "simplistic and anticompetitive." Minnesotans and the Legislature thought so, too.

In February, the governor declared that we should pledge not to have a government shutdown. However, he did shut down state government, hoping to pressure the Legislature into voting for a tax increase.

After 20 days, he realized his tax increase wasn't going to occur, so he agreed to a one-time budget increase without raising taxes. The shutdown had been unnecessary.

The newspaper also correctly criticized the governor for his ill-advised child care union power play. Also ill-advised was his plan to hold a special session to resolve the Vikings stadium issue.

A focused leader would have put a Vikings stadium plan together that had the votes of the Legislature and then called a special session.

The governor vetoed 23 bills, twice as many as the previous governor vetoed in four years. His leadership style has been reactionary, not "steady and focused." I hope this changes in 2012.

The writer, a Republican, represents District 8B in the Minnesota House.

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As this new year dawns, it was encouraging to see Katherine Kersten embracing President Obama's core principle: hope ("The virtue of hope: A fuel for America," Jan. 1).

The president has been sounding this theme at least since 2006, when his book "The Audacity of Hope" was published.

Whether one looks at hope as a virtue, a habit of the mind or a gift of the spirit, psychologists have known for generations that it is one of the core disciplines that allow people to face an uncertain future and adapt to it.

JIM HART, STILLWATER

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Please stop referring to Denny Hecker as a "fallen auto mogul." He is no such thing. "Common criminal" would be more apt. Here is man who took you, me and the entire judicial system for a long, silly ride that ended in him receiving too short of a term behind bars.

ROBERT VENAGLIA, EDINA

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People made this country great. And by "people," I mean all people, of all races and ethnicities, men and women, tall and short, and yes, rich and poor.

As for wealth, there have always been more poor and middle-class than rich. In fact, today there are even fewer rich Americans and more concentrated wealth than ever before.

The story of this country is its people, not its business. This country is great because the people made it that way.

BRYAN HAUGEN, MAYER

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