Opinion editor's note: Star Tribune Opinion publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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President Joe Biden is planning to emphasize in a prime-time speech on Thursday night that we are in a battle for America's "soul."

I have a problem with this kind of rhetoric.

I was talking with a cousin about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and how he delayed President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nomination for eight months but rushed through President Donald Trump's choice six weeks after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. I asked if he thought this was hypocritical. He said, "Absolutely, but we're fighting for America's soul."

The problem is, anything can be justified when you are fighting for a soul. Let's keep our discussions more grounded, and save the heavenly stuff for church.

Harry Kelley, St. Louis Park

Voters must look to long-held opinions of candidates who are running, not last-minute deceits leveraged to get their vote that may be summarily discarded once elected.

Patricia Arneson, Wayzata

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I am getting very tired of all the smear television ads against Jensen and his opinions on abortion. He will be getting my vote regardless. Of all the problems facing this country today, abortion is at the very bottom of the list of what concerns me.

My vote will not be swayed by negative ads toward one candidate or another. Instead of wasting all that money on TV ads, why not donate it to all the causes you seem to care so deeply about?

Many are troubled by the free gift of a student loan forgiven. I understand the reactions: Students agreed to pay the loan, so why should it be forgiven? Making a six-figure income should allow for paying a $10,000 debt. We should direct the benefit to those who are in public service (teachers, nurses, etc.). And other rational arguments.

But let's put it in perspective: Who really benefits from student loan programs?

The students are mere conduits for the money going to others. If our government is going to support these lenders and educators, shouldn't we also help the students?

Bernie H. Beaver, Edina

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Grant Skip North, Edina

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Over the past several days I've been reading and listening to the passionate pro/con reactions to Biden's student debt relief action. I'm inclined to align myself with the pro side as it seems most of the relief will go to fellow citizens who are teachers, nurses, social workers, store managers, etc. Education is good, and our society needs these people in the valued roles they play. Why not give them a small financial break?

In response to those making the logical argument of "I didn't get a break/what about me?" I'm inclined to think that one of the Christian Ten Commandments states something about not coveting your neighbor's goods. We should not be jealous or envious of good fortune that falls to someone else.

Both sides of this debate should now move forward and ask, "How do we change the broken systems that brought us to this point?"

Tom McDonough, Eagan

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The plan to forgive student loans will not teach any life lesson. The students knew what they were getting into when they signed the loan papers.

A better plan would be to forgive loans for students entering the fields of work that currently need employees: nursing, teaching and other professions.

Most college graduates have or had loans and paid them off. That is what a mature person does. If you can't pay, don't buy. It's called life.

After a visit to the beautiful Hoċokata Ti museum in Shakopee, I was struck by how little I knew about the history of the people who lived here before my ancestors arrived. I was deeply saddened about not just the tragic story of the Dakota people and the theft of their land and way of life, but the fact that much of this was unknown to me, and perhaps many who now inhabit this land. Though there is no way to undo this dark history, there is a bill currently before Congress, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, that I feel could help to acknowledge and begin to heal some of the trauma of the past. Please join me in calling on our members of Congress to support this bill and ensure its swift passage. Thank you!