The other side of marijuana use

Now that the Minnesota Democrats passed the recreational marijuana bill, they should read “As America’s marijuana use grows, so do the harms” in the Oct. 13 Pioneer Press. It gives us a preview of things to come. Enough said.

Dave Schultz, Stillwater

The country always comes together in times of natural disaster

Thanks to all the amazing federal, state, local workers and the many volunteers who have come to the aid of the hurricane victims in the southeast United States. Especially the utility workers, health care workers and emergency organizations providing food and water.

But not to Donald Trump and the rest of his supporters who are spewing the false narratives that are putting FEMA workers at risk and making it harder to get aid to those who need it. Who are also destroying the trust in those who are doing everything they can to get aid to people in need. I would ask that you think about the people in need, rather than spinning lies in some sick attempt at political gain. This is just wrong.

This country has always come to the aid for those in need during natural disasters. It is too bad one person can do this much damage and hurt so many people with his relentless lies.

Gregg Mensing, Roseville

Get real about the border crisis

If Kamala Harris tells the Big Lie about Donald Trump being responsible for the southern border crisis one more time anyone over 40 is going to be ill.

She and Tim Walz have people in Minneapolis about convinced that Trump and JD Vance kidnapped the Lindbergh baby! If you’re under 40 you’re unlikely to even know who the Lindberghs were so never mind.

David Knight, White Bear Lake

Not the American way

Just months ago this fall’s presidential election looked to be the worst of a generation, it’s all been changed by the Harris-Walz ticket which at least brings some hope for a different future. Hardly something that can be said of ex-president Donald Trump; he hasn’t changed, the lies keep coming and he’s the only candidate who actually tried to steal an election.

We’ve tried Trump’s way and found that while he campaigns as if he’s for average Americans he governed for the 1%. He may speak of unity but his trademark is division. Doom, gloom and new lows in depravity only play well with the MAGA faithful. He wants to be a king above the law and the Constitution, that’s not the American way.

Trump lost the popular vote in 2016 but won the electoral college, lost both the popular vote and the electoral college in 2020 and then tried to steal an election he knew he lost. If he doesn’t win this fall, he’ll try to steal it again.

If there’s anything left of the America of our Founders Trump will lose again. To avoid more baseless claims of fraud or outright refusal to accept another loss or interference by the Supreme Court, the ex-president must be thoroughly defeated. Preserve democracy, get out and vote.

Thomas L. Lenczowski, Mendota Heights

Public safety officers need to be seen as neutral

I find it wrong for any law enforcement or other uniformed public official wearing publicly paid for uniforms and vehicles in commercials or any endorsements for a candidate or political party. Not all members of a particular department or union support the same candidate. With law enforcement in particular, the representation of support can have a powerful positive or negative reflection.

Our police, fire, and other public officers need to be seen as a neutral and non-partisan.

Tom Mullaney, Woodbury

$110 million

The question that is appearing on this year’s St. Paul ballot as it relates to a property tax increase for child care is somewhat deceptive and at a glance could lead the reader to believe that the property tax levy will collect $2 million dollars annually for 10 years for a total amount collected over that 10-year period to be $20 million. The  $2 million annual increase of the taxes collected will amount to a total of the tax collected over the 10 years of $110 million: 2+4+6+8+10+12+14+16+18+20= $110 million. That’s $90 million more than the $20 million that the language at a glance might suggest. The entire amount collected should appear on the ballot and the expected annual increase per $100,000 in property value should also appear on the ballot in an effort to let voters know exactly what they are voting for.

Mark T Schroeder, West St Paul

Even the mayor had to say ‘no’

Thank you for the chuckles Tuesday morning upon reading the “Mayor wouldn’t enact child care subsidies.”  Finally a mayor, himself accused of proposing projects of questionable value, is confronted with a project apparently so grossly underestimated in its cost and misrepresented in its reach that even he had to say “No” if only to protect his credibility.

Unfortunately, this scenario is repeated much too often in our present government at all levels but with a different outcome. Even if I don’t live in his city, bully for Mayor Carter!  It’s way past time.

Art Thell, West St. Paul

Well worth the cost

My yard lost a lot of branches and half a boulevard tree in the late August storm. That tree was red-ringed for removal. The city crew of four guys arrived the other day in three vehicles and assuredly and safely felled that half-tree in one hour. It made me smile as I sat in my yard watching efficiency and professionalism in action. I’m sometimes baffled at the city’s choices for spending tax dollars, but these essential workers were well worth the cost.

EJ Hanslin, St. Paul