WHAT'S ONE-SIDED?
Try Revenue Dept.
In the July 11 Letter of the Day, State Revenue Commissioner Ward Einess complains about the one-sided reporting of the Star Tribune.
He should be reminded that he and his predecessors have embraced a culture about property taxes that is very aggrieving to most homeowners. The Department of Revenue has embraced the philosophy that property taxes are the most stable taxes. That certainly is a one-sided attitude for government's benefit.
The Department of Revenue has been preaching this philosophy to legislators to prevent any meaningful property tax reform. It won't endorse a revenue-neutral property tax reform -- one that bases our tax on household income rather than a property assessment.
JURIS CURISKIS, MINNEAPOLIS
FUNKY WATER
We are to blame
So the tap water in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs is unpalatable and we are looking for someone to blame (Star Tribune, July 11). Guess what, folks? It's time to look at ourselves and our neighbors.
Every time we blow leaves or grass clippings into the street, wash our cars in our driveways instead of on our lawns (to allow the soap and dirt to filter through the grass instead of run into our storm drains), use illegal fertilizers to get rid of those unsightly weeds or allow any pollutant into our storm drain systems, we are contributing to stinky and distasteful water.
All those items add phosphors to the water table, which creates algae which causes a stink and bad taste.
It is up to all of us to protect the storm water. Otherwise, our cities will keep adding more and more chemicals to our tap water -- a truly unpalatable idea.
SHELLY MCVicker, Maplewood
SENATE RACE
Deceptive attack ads
Don't be fooled by the attack ads featuring "Sopranos" mob boss "Johnny Sack." These ads, by a deceptively named business PAC -- Coalition for a Democratic Workplace -- make it appear as though new legislation will eliminate the secret ballot and make it more difficult to organize a union.
The actual bill is supported by organized labor, does not eliminate secret ballots and makes it easier to organize.
One more point: Because Al Franken supports this prounion legislation, the coalition's ads in Minnesota target him as an enemy of organized labor. This is how the Norm Coleman campaign "pulls people together?"
RIP STAUFFER, CARVER
A comedy critic? Michael Gerson has succeeded in a brilliant critique of Al Franken's satirical work while also providing the reader with his opinion of what satire should be ("Franken's satire doesn't pass the test," July 10).
I was disappointed that he tried to analyze the satirical comments by taking them at face value, but that can be forgiven. If this is the subject matter that he wishes to cover, then I will also eagerly await his analysis of the work of other individuals such as Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Stephen Colbert and Dave Chapelle.
Unfortunately for those who enjoy shooting fish in a pool, Mr. Franken has put aside his satirical work in order to focus on the more serious work of running for Senate. Perhaps Mr. Gerson will want to focus on the substance of the Franken/Coleman campaign in the future.
ANNA HALL, MINNEAPOLIS
STATIN DRUGS
Beware the side effects
Study after study has shown that statin drugs may lower cholesterol, but they do not lower the risk of heart attacks. Statin drugs cause serious side effects, which doctors do not warn you about when they prescribe statins.
Why don't doctors acknowledge the fact that statin drugs are causing so much damage? Because they listen to the big drug companies and not to the increasing numbers of patients who report these symptoms.
Parents, by all means, encourage your kids to exercise and to eat sensibly. But before you allow doctors to prescribe drugs that may well rob them of their mobility and their minds, please make sure you are informed.
PAT ROARK, HAM LAKE
SIXTH DISTRICT RACE
Bachmann's right stance
Rep. Michele Bachmann has proven her mettle for the hard-working people of Minnesota's Sixth District in her first term. Those who are strained by high gas prices should reelect her for another term.
Bachmann supported the removal of the offshore drilling moratorium, returning those rights to the states where they belong. This was the first step to increasing the oil supply to meet the needs of the American people.
We must increase production to bridge the gap from our energy troubles of today to the potential energy sources of the future.
Her opponent would rather continue the costly energy policy of the Democratic majority in Congress, subsidizing failed alternatives with taxpayer money. Her opponent will not allow supply to catch up with our energy demands, forcing the price of gas even higher and putting a greater financial burden on the working class.
Personal responsibility and conservation are important where possible, but only address a small part of our energy problems.
When potentially viable sources of alternative energy develop, they will draw private capital from investors. We do not need the government to prop up subsidized markets for special interests.
We need to combat our energy problems with the solutions our Democratic Congress has denied for years. We need to drill for today so we have an economy capable of investing in our future, which is why we must reelect Michele Bachmann.
MITCH PAUMEN, BUFFALO, MINN.
