Commentaries

May 05, 2009

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Retool racetracks with racinos

Democratic leadership shouldn't snub an offering of millions in new tax revenue offered by a moderate gaming proposal, when they propose cutting programs for the disabled, education and local government aid. [MPR News: Senate GOP leader predicts gambling revenue will erase budget deficit]

Few industries are offering new revenue streams this year with the exception of the racing industry.

With the retooling of the tracks by adding casino-style video games, racinos can generate $1/4 billion each biennium in a new and voluntary tax revenue to the state. An existing business retools to adapt to the changing market and gets stronger- with no fancy tax incentives from the state.

It's a logical and reasonable proposal with the facilities and regulation already in place. The competition gets better, breeding and ag businesses prosper, jobs are preserved and added.

Early in the session, we heard, "everything's on the table." Looks like what may be left on the table is the millions of dollars offered by racinos! And that's a shame!

Sandy McRilen
Mahtomedi, Minn.


The Long Range Plan is long overdue

Although the dispute about the Long Range Plan for the Duluth schools is interesting, it also points out the absurdity of the "Let Duluth Vote" group. [MPR News: Duluth schools proceed with controversial facilities plan]

They are costing the school district many thousands of dollars yet don't seem to have a consistent plan, they don't look beyond 10 years, or have a plan to fund their ideas. My biggest complaint against Harry Welty and his group is that they have divided our community.

The Long Range Plan is a realistic plan that positions our community for decades to come. Our citizens should be excited for improvements leading to a modern school district for our children. But this group side-tracks the community by continual complaints and nay-saying.

Patti Maguire
Duluth, Minn.


Torture vs. Abortion: What place moral outrage?

Driving back to work from lunch today, I caught much of the Q&A for Ms. Mayer and Mr. Mondale. [MPR Midday: Journalist explores war on terror vs. American values] What struck me was the consensus presumption by both speakers and audience of the immorality of torture used on enemy combatants.

Ms. Mayer was aghast at the notion that trained psychologists working for the military would not only assist in the application of some techniques, but design them. The thought of a doctor teaching others how to best accomplish the desired end was reprehensible to her.

I wondered if she feels the same shock and disgust at the notion of trained physicians actually perfecting techniques and then teaching others how to perform abortions. Surely there are great segments of our national and state population who feel that abortion is every bit as immoral as torture, though they were likely not in the audience in great numbers.

Further, there was discussion of possible criminal action against those who perpetrated these atrocities, and some sought to punish the evildoers (those in the Bush administration, particularly) even if the acts were "legal."

I wonder, would those same people who hope for criminal convictions for torturers have any problem with those who seek criminal convictions for abortionists, on the same grounds - that the act is immoral, whether or not it is legal?

Perhaps we should not be too quick to seek retribution for what we consider to be the moral failings of others, especially when there is no national or state consensus on what should be considered immoral.

Bill Mech
Shoreview, Minn.


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