Readers Write: The Pohlads, jobs, immigration, Minneapolis budget, political rhetoric

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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The Joe Pohlad article from Sept. 29 was one of the funniest — and most out-of-touch — pieces I’ve ever read (“Joe Pohlad keeps the faith even after Twins fire sale and fan backlash,” StarTribune.com). I assume the intent was to reingratiate Pohlad with Twins fans after a disastrous season, the organization trading away half the roster and his family failing to sell the team. Instead, it painted the picture of a leader who fell into his role through nepotism. References to private schools, country clubs, team doctors and family job offers do little to fire up Twins fans.

What fans want is simple: Field a winning team and run a competitive organization, and the support will follow. No amount of Bon Iver playlists or early morning runs around Lake of the Isles will change that.

Kevin Manthie, Minneapolis

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Has Twins ownership looked in the mirror to determine why the team lost as many games as they did? (“Baldelli sent packing,” Sept. 30.) They traded away valuable players that could have helped the Twins be more competitive. This firing was another such move. Manager Rocco Baldelli was highly respected, both by players and fans. The team that ends up hiring him will most likely be our nemesis in years to come.

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Twins President Derek Falvey said “over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set. I take personal responsibility for that,” Then he fired Baldelli. So much for taking personal responsibility.

James Nelson, Edina

The Sept. 29 Strib Voices commentary regarding Gen Z job prospects is reminder of a reality of our modern economy (“The unlucky generation? Gen Z’s struggle to find work is real”). That is, how complex modern life is and how fragile our existence actually is. (See COVID or next extended power outage.) Modern society, however wonderful its fruits, often breaks down and at the worst possible time for many. Today, you don’t need to do anything “wrong,” you just get steamrollered by “progress.” This is not a bug in the system, it’s a feature of modern capitalism.

Rather than go down the “capitalism is bad” road (even though I personally doubt that what we have going on in America is actually capitalism) and blame globalism, big corporations and greedy rich guys, I choose to say this is just the reality of our economy.

It’s a complex and changing world. In the blink of an eye any of us can lose our job, health, home — our future. I suggest that we all remember this and have some empathy for this younger generation as they encounter one of those turbulent times of enormous change and challenge in our economy. And our country.

D. Roger Pederson, Minneapolis

In early 2018, like for many Americans, undocumented immigration was background noise for me. It was an issue every four years, but nothing was ever done to fix it. Then I was made aware of a DACA recipient (those who enter as children with their parents) in his 20s, a family breadwinner, who was in ICE detention in Sherburne County, where I lived until this past March. I quickly learned of the inhumanity of our treatment of immigrants.

This man was in detention for over six months, moved seven times to five different facilities. Unlike citizens, immigrants have to pay their full bond, instead of 10%, and in his case it was $10,000. Our church held a fundraiser to help with expenses. After family separation, loss of income, health concerns and legal expenses, he was ultimately released with charges dropped!

Pre-COVID, Sherburne County jail was getting nearly $11 million a year before expenses for ICE detention. This was income for Sherburne County at the expense of taxpayers. I have been involved with several similar cases, and in all this time Congress has done absolutely nothing to solve it.

Our handling of immigration is a stain on our country. We are better than this.

Nancy Hassett, Bovey, Minn.

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Even if the Department of Justice succeeded in securing the authority to force the state of Minnesota to comply with immigration efforts, the city of Minneapolis would be unable to comply (“Justice Department sues Minnesota over immigrant sanctuary policies,” StarTribune.com, Sept. 29). The recent rookie class of police officers for the Minneapolis Police Department is welcome and greatly needed. However, the additional staffing does not make up the critical shortage of officers on the street. They can barely answer 911 calls, let alone profile and arrest suspected immigrants.

Gregory Reinhardt, Excelsior

A simple search of “Minneapolis budget vote 2024” reveals that the 2025 proposed budget was actually vetoed by Frey after it passed the council with a 10-3 vote in favor. Not just a majority. But a veto-proof one. Frey still felt the need to wave around his veto pen. It is not lost on me that the three “no” votes to this budget were the three council members highlighted as individuals “who have the governmental experience to effectively balance a budget.”

Keire seems to support of minority rule on the budget. That is not good governance, while also being agnostic toward the basic facts. Chastising funding for programs to assist our unhoused and immigrant neighbors as “ballooning” the budget, Keire ignores that the Minneapolis police budget has ballooned by $40 million since 2022. Not accounting for other misconduct payouts and PTSD claims also absorbed by the taxpayer.

I even share concerns about the ever-rising property taxes in Minneapolis, but responsibility is similarly misplaced. Property taxes have gone up 28% since 2019. All during Frey’s tenure. He proposed the increase in the 2025 budget.

We should talk about our city’s budget. Let’s make sure to be honest about it.

Eli Sherman, Minneapolis

Wow! When I read Brehm’s opinion calling out that “being meaner isn’t the way to relevancy for Democrats,” I saw that much of the point is missing. The headline should have read, “Being meaner isn’t the way to relevancy for citizens of our democratic country”! What did Brehm say when Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband and dog were assassinated? He spoke about her kindness, humor, civility and courage. He also admonished the Republicans who “shrug off” the White House occupant’s comments that go too far and said that his party needs a “softer tone.”

That has not happened. As a matter of fact, it has gotten worse. The White House occupant and his cabinet are meaner, telling more scabrous falsehoods. Who then can lead the “no meanness” movement, Mr. Brehm? Let’s demand kindness from ourselves, including those who have a big megaphone, regardless of political leaning.