Please …

Please keep your headlights and hydrants clean and clear.

L. Stephen Borer, St. Paul 

Who wants to prevent discovery of fraud?

It is useful to review a bit about our U.S. security classification system. Constitutionally, the president of the U.S. has essentially unlimited access to government documents and also has the ability to classify or declassify such documents. Our current classification system (secret, top secret) was created by executive order of President Truman in 1951 and most recently amended by President Obama. Those executive orders essentially allow the president to delegate underlings to classify and declassify documents in a systematic way so that the president is not burdened.

The system produced by these executive orders in no way restrains the president or removes his constitutional authorities. A president could theoretially issue a new executive order to abolish the system entirely. If the president personally authorizes an individual to have access to top secret information, it is in no way less authoritative than if top secret clearance is given to someone unknown to any president who has received clearance through a subordinate system created by a previous president. If a person personally authorized by the president cannot see classified materials, than no one else can be authorized to see it, either.  Any federal judge who does not understand these matters should not be a judge.

Regarding the specific recent worries about Elon Musk having access to personal information from the Treasury, I would suggest that neither he nor the president has concerns about any individual who has received a legitimate check from the Treasury. But if 20 applications for money came from 10 different states and ended up all being deposited in the same off-shore bank account, then THAT would raise concerns about fraud. And there is no way for such patterns of fraud to be discovered without review and systematic analysis of the data.  To prevent analysis of the data is to prevent the discovery of fraud. Who has any interest in that?

Carl Hasbargen, St. Paul

Brave for 5 minutes longer

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice …”

From a purely practical political perspective, a president becomes a lame duck the moment he or she is sworn in for a second term, wielding less and less power. Donald Trump is a lame duck.

Historically, during lame duck presidencies, Congress, particularly the Senate, has wielded greater influence.

However, today a certain group of senators shiver and shake as the president undermines the Constitution and the co-equal powers of Congress and the Supreme Court. Maybe the current cast in Congress should look to the past for guidance.

“About this whole judgment is the spirit of vengeance and vengeance is seldom justice.” — Robert A. Taft

“We must always remember that it is our duty to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” — Bob Dole

“The problem … is that most members of Congress don’t pay attention to what’s going on.” — John McCain

And finally, “Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They’re just braver 5 minutes longer.” — Ronald Reagan

Will the members of Congress continue to cower, or will they find the five minutes of courage required to defend the Constitution?

Dan Gunderson, Minneapolis

Hoodwinked

I remember being freaked out when my elderly mother gave out her personal information, including her Social Security Number, on a solicitation phone call. She was hoodwinked. Seems like the country has been hoodwinked.

Claudia Dieter, St. Paul

The party of waste and fraud?

Many mainline media sources and nearly all elected Democrat officials are upset (an understatement) that President Trump assigned Elon Musk and DOGE to find, identify and suggest cuts in the federal budget.

Instead of being aghast at the actual disbursements of our tax dollars through USAID, and the list of those who reaped thousands, millions, and billions of those dollars, Democratic lawmakers complain about the process.

Democrats have positioned themselves as the party of waste and fraud. Is this the new messaging that DNC Chair Ken Martin is shaping?

Do Americans support cutting waste, outdated and duplicated programs, and programs that fit no logical agenda? Do Democrats care about the $36 trillion debt they are handing off to our grandchildren?

Please, let me hear from Democrats who actually support waste and fraud, who believe government should continue to waste trillions of tax dollars?

Dave Racer, Woodbury 

More spending …

I have a simple question to all of those loyal to the current Washington regime. Where will the money come to pay the lawyers who must defend the federal government against all the lawsuits being filed by millions of common taxpayers across America?

Nancy Lanthier Carroll, Roseville

Let consumers choose

I want to applaud the new Trump administration for recognizing the push for electric vehicle (EV) mandates is ridiculous. The desire for cleaner energy and reduced emissions is a good goal, but a one-size-fits-all approach to EV adoption could create more problems than it solves.

Minnesota’s extreme cold weather makes it difficult to rely on EVs. Cold temperatures put a strain on lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, reducing the ability for batteries to store energy and impacts the range vehicles can drive.

The charging infrastructure is inadequate. Many drivers in rural Minnesota would struggle to find charging stations.

Mandating EVs could put an added strain on an already stressed energy grid, whereas fossil fuels used to make gasoline are available and flowing through existing pipelines.

I’m happy to see we have an administration that is against imposing strict mandates and is supportive of letting consumers choose what fits their lifestyle.

Ben Footh
The writer, of Ben Footh Auto Sales and Service, South St. Paul, has been in the auto business for 25 years

Sainted, Sainted, Sainted and Sainted

This past Thursday I was driving in the Target parking lot and an individual backed up into the driver’s side of my car, causing damage to the door and front fender. I called 911 and Patrol Officer Jason Belisle came to write an accident report. He was very kind and asked if I was hurt and told me to take the car to a repair place. This grandma was shocked this happened but was thankful no one was hurt.

Then I drove the car (with the door not able to close all the way) over to Cornerstone Automotive where body shop manager Wesley Evans was very nice as I called my insurance. Between Wesley and my State Farm agent they walked me through what had to be done to file a claim and make arrangements for repairs. They were patient with me and were very helpful.

After my “exciting” afternoon, I decided to watch a movie on Netflix. As I tried to sign in the site wouldn’t let me sign in. Unbelievable! I called Comcast and told them the problem and this lovely agent came on and had to work with me quite a while to get it reconnected. She too was so pleasant & patient.

So I want to SAINT these four “angels on earth”… Jason Belisle, Wesley Evans, my State Farm representatives (sorry I don’t have your names) and the Netflix representative (sorry I don’t remember your name). These four individuals made a day that could have been very upsetting, make me realize how thankful I am that there are lots of nice caring people in this world who are willing to help an 81-year-old grandma. God bless them all.

Karen Celski, Oak Park Heights