Readers Write (Oct. 1): Vikings stadium, bad parents, U.S. Labor Secretary, bank fees

I'm pretty sure that the letter writers who have been complaining about taxpayer support for a new Vikings stadium will be the first to complain even more loudly when the team moves to Los Angeles.

At one time I was against taxpayer subsidies for a Vikings stadium (or a new Twins stadium), but I've come to realize that the monetary benefits of having new stadiums built and having the respective teams stay in the area far outweigh the paltry amount that I have to pay in subsidy taxes.

That's especially true in these days of draconian and reckless budget and spending cuts by state and federal legislators.

KIRK NEUMAN, APPLE VALLEY

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Vikings communications director Jeff Anderson was quoted as saying, "As a representative democracy, we elect public officials to analyze complex issues and make decisions that are in the public interest" ("Foes pile on Vikings stadium subsidy," Sept. 29).

I'm sorry, but I don't understand what is so complex about following the state law that says a referendum is required for voter approval to increase local sales taxes.

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There are many reasons to allow the citizens to vote on a Viking stadium referendum, including that we cannot choose democracy only when it's convenient.

Why would we have our local representatives whose responsibilities are primarily around the day-to-day operation of the community make a financial decision of this size and duration independent of the will of the people?

If the people vote for a stadium tax, some of us will shake our heads in dismay, but at least we are consoled by the fact that it was the expressed will of the people and not a two-year representative making a 30-year commitment for taxpayers. Concentrating power in the hands of the few is a recipe for corruption.

Let the people vote.

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Two articles in the past five days have me saddened and outraged.

One involved a 28-year-old mother of eight who was charged with kidnapping her children from a foster care home ("Lawyer: Parents feared abuse in foster care," Sept. 28).

The second story reported the shooting death of a 24-year-old man, the father of three small children ("Homicide victim had troubled past," Sept. 30). What chance do those children have of growing up to be contributing members of society?

How do we address the issue of men and women having babies they can't afford to raise -- physically, emotionally or financially? What price do those children pay for this irresponsible behavior, and what is the cost to taxpayers who foot the bill to raise them?

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Regarding the argument that debit card use costs banks millions of dollars to administer, let's back up a few years ("Banks to begin imposing debit fees," Sept. 30). I would like to know how much it costs the bank to process paper checks for both deposits and payments.

Technology in the banking industry, I am assuming, has allowed these businesses to process more transactions with fewer employees, as well as a decreased need for local branches. These big business banks need to take one right between the eyes. I am moving my business to my neighborhood credit union.

MYRON KOWALIW JR., ANDOVER

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Unfortunately, the secretary's partisan speech and blaming of Republicans was out of sync with the president's directive to Congress and with the relationship local union contractors have with construction unions here in Minnesota.

We appreciate that Solis is pushing for jobs at a time when Minnesota's economy sorely needs them.

But we're all better off without the partisan politics.

DAVE SEMERAD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AGC OF MINNESOTA

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Whether you are a billionaire investing your money in gold bullion, a corporation hoarding your cash and taking jobs overseas, a politician reciting party rhetoric or a government union worker picketing to protect your defined benefit pension plan, I think the disparity in these two quotes pretty much frames the issue.