COMMENTARY
Participation in 2010 Census is essential
Ten questions that can be completed in 10 minutes — the U.S. Census doesn’t sound like much but its importance can’t be overstated: In 2008, the last year for which data is available, Minnesota received more than $7 billion based on the decennial headcount, accounting for a fifth of the state’s annual revenue.By Niel Ritchie , March 12, 2010
Prisons: Public versus private
As the state grapples with a budget deficit the size of the Grand Canyon this session, lawmakers are charged with filling the gapping hole and creating a balanced budget. Proposed “money-saving” ideas run the gamut from removing bottled water from state agencies to mandatory furloughs. However, one proposal, that recurs nearly every session, creates a stir that almost no other issue can. Privately run prisons.By Emily Skidmore Nesse , March 12, 2010
Court treats corporations like people
As you’ve probably heard, corporations are now “people.”By Jim Hightower , March 12, 2010
U.S. taxpayers are getting nuked
Compulsive gamblers are perpetually looking for the big score. Always thinking that the next card will draw that inside straight or the last card will turn their garbage into gold. Casinos have a name for these people — suckers. Well, Uncle Sam has pushed more than $8 billion into the pot, gambling on big returns from the nuclear power industry. Sadly, we know where this ends.By Ryan Alexander , March 11, 2010
Stop trying to save the planet
Contrary to the sign at the grocery store, it’s pretty safe to say you will not be able to save the Earth by purchasing a reusable bag. Do an experiment: buy a canvas bag and see if the issue is then resolved. If it’s not, it means the slogan for the environmental movement and the way it’s framed can stand to be re-visited.By Tina Dupuy , March 11, 2010
This Republican says it’s time to protect communities
As a former Republican legislator from greater Minnesota, it pains me to see polarization at the State Capitol having such a profound command over current outstate legislators’ actions. These days, being an obstructionist is more celebrated than being a solution-maker, and towing the party line — no matter the cost to constituents — is sadly preferred to standing up for local families and businesses.By Dan Dorman , March 10, 2010
Reconciliation: Playing games with future
Well, the not-so-surprising news of the week out of Washington is that President Obama is now calling on Congress to schedule a straight vote on the Democrats’ health care reform measure.By Mike Reagan , March 10, 2010
Cutting spending worse for economy than raising taxes 
The state’s updated economic forecast was released last week. Since November, the current budget deficit has improved slightly by about $209 million, to $994 million. However, the long-term outlook has worsened. The 2012-13 deficit now hovers between $6 billion and $8 billion, depending on whether inflation and other factors are counted.
By Rod Skoe , March 07, 2010
‘Avatar’s’ history lesson to be learned
Like Barack Obama, “Avatar” has become a Rorschach test for the times in which we live. Everyone interprets it their own way. Nominated for nine Oscars, it’s already the highest-grossing film of all time — having pulled in around $2.5 billion globally. More importantly, “Avatar” could become a game-changer in our evolving cultural consciousness about the impact of modernity on the world.
By Sanh Tree , March 07, 2010
Don’t apologize if sorry about getting caught
There’s an apology epidemic. If it’s not a corporate executive (Akiro Toyoda) then it’s an athlete (Tiger Woods, Mark McGuire) or a politician (Mark Sanford, John Edwards).
By Donald Kaul , March 06, 2010
Two smart governors suggest health care
In the spirit of bipartisanship supposedly inspiring a recent Blair House health care summit, I thought I’d seek advice from a knowledge-able group unfortunately not represented — the nation’s governors.
By Morton Kondracke , March 06, 2010
Down and out ... in America
Hard to live
By William Collins , March 05, 2010
Were Founding Fathers media socialists?
The Federal Communic-ations Commission’s chief diversity officer, Mark Lloyd, wants government to socialize the media. In his 2006 book “Prologue to a Farce,” Lloyd calls for a far-reaching government program that would straitjacket private media companies and funnel tens of billions of dollars into a tax-supported “public” media — an agenda shared by many of his associates.
By Don Watkins , March 05, 2010
Now playing in Washington: Trade warfare
Exports are essential to the prosperity of U.S. agriculture. You could say that trade is the backbone of agriculture since about 25 percent of the total volume of U.S. farm production is exported, and many U.S. commodities have even a higher dependence on world trade.
By Bob Stallman , March 04, 2010
Legislative spending priorities skewed
The buzz in the hallways and committee rooms of the Minnesota Capitol during the first few weeks of the legisla-tive session has been fo-cused on health care for the poor and jobs for unem-ployed con-struction workers.
By Phil Krinkie , March 04, 2010
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