News & Articles

We know many truths

Dear Mr. Johnson,
I read your article in the December 24 issue of The Reader and, although I understand that it is an opinion piece, I think you still have to make sure that all your facts are correct.

I can’t dispute any of your comments regarding Mr. Stauber’s conduct or observations on obstructionist McConnell but I do have to take issue with one of your assumptions about the President.

His draft dodging, bone-spur charade has been proven. His lack of any moral compass has been proven. His over the top self-absorption that has given narcissism a bad name has been proven. His cheating on his wives has been proven. His cheating on taxes will be proven in the upcoming months/years. But, although we have volumes of evidence to support your assumption, we don’t know for a fact that he cheats at golf. 

Bruce Lemke
Castle Danger, Minnesota  

Georgia’s world vote

Georgia has another election coming up soon that will affect the entire nation, and the world. It could put two more Democrat senators in office, which for a time at least, would give Democrats control of the U.S. House, Senate and presidency. 

Advisable? 

Our Supreme Court would still be firmly controlled by Republicans, or at least conservatives and Catholics.

Ordinarily I’d be concerned of too much power in one party. Democrats appear contentious and unorganized at times, but that’s because it’s an open party; open to many ideas, and willing to sift through them to try picking the best. This is the idea behind our government and Constitution also.
Unfortunately, at his time in history, the Republican Party has been taken over by the wealthy. Such a thing is never good. A dollar follows the physicist’s laws of matter, and can only be in one place at a time. When a wealthy person acquires another dollar, somewhere someone else has one less.  Only actual, useful work creates the dollars.

Minnesota (my state) faced a similar dilemma. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty had a Republican House and Senate. At the end of Pawlenty’s 8 years, Minnesota’s budget was $4-1/2 billion deficit (a lot for us), infrastructures failing, school budgets became IOUs, and state emergency funds depleted.
We elected a Democrat Governor Dayton and Democrat House and Senate. Taxes were raised on wealth; people were afraid the wealthy would run away, but they didn’t. Minnesota has the 5th best overall climate for business nationally. School budgets were repaid, the emergency fund refilled. Dayton was wealthy (Target stores) yet a Democrat. Minnesota got back on our feet in 8 years, and had a balanced budget.

At this time, giving Democrats control nationally is likely advisable and healthy.

A. Martin
Merrifield, Minnesota

Lincoln Park Drive plans

Few Duluthians know that on May 28, 2019, the Duluth City Council unanimously approved removal of the southerly 1,250 feet of Lincoln Park Drive and construction of a new entrance to the park on 25th Ave. (Resolution 19-0293R). This was done without any consideration of the historic value of Lincoln Park Drive, which was established in the 1880s. The National Park Service has questioned the city’s plan to remove Lincoln Park Drive and has asked the city to reconsider this decision.

Scott Marek
Duluth, Minnesota