THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE
One can go tit-for-tat on 'fiber' formation
A May 16 letter stated: "By the time one reaches the mid- to late teens, one's fiber has been formed." Really! So what does that say about the drug use of our president, who wrote in his 1995 memoir about using drugs as a teen?
Contrary to the letter writer's assertion, Mitt Romney is not a puzzling choice compared to what we have. I believe we have to do better than what we are now experiencing. Can we now put the Romney "haircut" incident to rest? Please?
JEAN OUELLETTE, ROBBINSDALE
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RECALL ELECTIONS
Today, corruption is a fuzzy concept
I agree with Jonathan Zimmerman that recalls of elected officials should not be taken lightly ("No mulligans over policies, please," May 16). As he so rightly states, recalls are meant "to remove elected officials who are on the take ... from corporate interests." It is especially hard to know what "on the take" means in our post-Citizens United world -- Walker has traveled the country collecting corporate millions during his first 16 months in office.
Recalls also were put in place to hold accountable elected officials who are guilty of serious crimes. Walker is lawyered up to confront charges of running a secret campaign network while serving as Milwaukee County executive.
Zimmerman and I agree that recalls based upon policies and ideology set a terrible precedent. On the other hand, Walker and his legislative colleagues set about eliminating collective bargaining rights for public employees in closed-door sessions, often in the middle of the night, last winter.
JEFF HORNER, RIVER FALLS, WIS.
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SAFE DRIVING
Multitasking doesn't belong in your car
A May 13 article stated that "most people think they're different than other drivers; that they're capable of multi-tasking behind the wheel." Our society rewards those who multitask and accomplish a lot quickly. At work or home, we multitask with ease.
Sadly, many drivers demonstrate the same behavior behind the wheel, without recognizing that an automobile is in motion. Technologies woo customers by offering comfort, convenience and attractive pricing in an attempt to replicate house or office capabilities in a car.
Actually, these gadgets divert our attention from driving. In a split second, the so-called "mobile office" can turn into a killer.
Numerous laws have been enacted to discourage distraction, but enforcement has been challenging. Technologies to control distraction are expensive to develop, have limited shelf life and do not cover complete driver demographics.
I propose we offer grass-roots driver-ed programs starting in elementary schools. With continuous reinforcement, young future drivers could even influence the driving behavior of current drivers.
One may expect the program to save parents from the pain we have endured since our 19-year-old daughter Shreya was fatally injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver.
VIJAY DIXIT, EDEN PRAIRIE
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INFANT DEATHS
Are factors outside of child care in play?
I believe the numbers recently reported on infant deaths, but are child care providers solely to blame? For 14 years, the most frequently talked about topic -- and the one of most conflict -- between me and parents of infants is the issue of safe sleep practices.
I inform parents of the rules I must follow, and let them know that they will increase their infant's risk of sudden infant death syndrome in my care if they choose to ignore these guidelines at home.
Parents don't want me "policing" the choices that they make in the privacy of their homes. Babies are sleeping in swings, car seats, bouncy chairs and in bed with their parents when they are not in my care.
Hospitals are still telling new parents that it's OK to swaddle a sleeping baby and to put a lightweight blanket in the crib with an infant. Could there be contributing factors that have nothing to do with what providers are doing?
I predict an exodus of quality child care providers who are educated, who follow safe sleep practices, and who have sacrificed higher-paying careers in order to serve families in invaluable ways.
In the past 24 hours alone, I've received frantic calls from six parents of infants whose providers have given them notice that they'll no longer be caring for infants in their day cares.
The liability will become an unfair burden that will result in a huge shortage of caregivers, and a crisis for working parents.
SUZANNE STENBECK MCCABE, BLOOMINGTON
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POSTAL SERVICE
Change needed, but not to Constitution
Privatizing the mail may or may not be the best option to deal with the crisis facing the Postal Service, but it certainly would not require a constitutional amendment, as a May 16 letter suggested. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution provides Congress with the power to establish post offices.
This power is discretionary, and Congress may choose whether and to what extent to exercise it. Congress is not compelled to create or maintain a Postal Service any more than it is compelled to declare war or borrow money (two more powers granted by Article I, Section 8).
It is clear that the current business model for the Postal Service is not sustainable and needs to change. Increased government subsidization should not be an option in a time of massive budget deficits and ballooning national debt.
Congress must consider the options of privatization, decreased services and increased user fees to stop the current loss of government money through the Postal Service. Citizens may debate which of these options or combination of options is best and communicate their views to Congress through their representatives and their votes.
RICK MICHALS, BLOOMINGTON
