Too easy to steal? Whom to sue, then?
Recently our elected state officials sued and won a settlement with auto makers Kia and Hyundai over the lack of anti-theft technology installed in their cars from 2011 to 2022. Minnesota said the lack of protective measures made it “easy” to steal the cars. Our Minnesota legal representatives argued that “greed” on the side of Kia and Hyundai played a part in the ease of theft opportunities. The resulting settlement will result in a loss of nearly $500 million to Kia and Hyundai.
Hmm, so it wasn’t people who stole the cars? It was the auto-makers’ fault for making it too easy to steal them?
I don’t get it.
What I also don’t get is who we should sue in the state of Minnesota for making it too “easy” to steal money from tax-paying citizens in the form of multiple fraud schemes. Do we sue ourselves for financial ineptitude (if there is such a thing)? That would be like robbing Peter to pay Peter. That makes no sense. What makes sense is knowing the simple differences between right and wrong and protecting those institutions of right and wrong. Stealing is stealing no matter what form it’s in and whether it’s easy or not. It’s just plain wrong.
With all the financial dealings Minnesota has had to endure this year and for the foreseeable future, our hope should be that we learned some things. If we wise up, there should be no decisions left to be made in our state’s future direction, thereby offering Minnesotans the opportunity to make the right choices this next November.
Mark Kirchner, St. Paul
A good idea, $3 billion ago
Given the incredibly tragic events that have recently occurred around the world, pure politics today can seem quite secondary. However, we can’t change any of that, so let’s focus on what we can change.
On Dec. 12, Gov. Tim Walz announced the creation of “a new statewide fraud prevention program.” That strategy would have been very meaningful about $3 billion ago
Here is a simple, straightforward, two-step fraud prevention program: Replace Walz and Keith Ellison, problem solved.
In the last few days, Walz has launched an attack on “assault weapons.” Obviously, no one has ever been able to define exactly what that terminology actually means, but let’s not let that stand in the way. The one thing that is clear is that this new effort has nothing to do with weapons, it’s all about dancing far away from the revolting fraud scandal that has the entire nation tuned in.
The governor has long been accused of being less than truthful, but it is fascinating to hear his non-response to reporters’ legitimate questions, some calling it word salad. That is not only not nearly harsh enough, but also very unfair to salads.
Jon Swenson, Eagan
Policies that hinder growth
Recently we were shocked that the amount of tax added to our restaurant bill was close to 9%. Added to inflation for food and other goods, working families are struggling.
What policies are hindering economic growth? Over-taxation for one, regulations that make it costly to build housing, and energy mandates that increase the cost of fuel and electricity rates to mention some. While “high-minded” sustainability goals sound nice, these policies increase costs for families, consumers and businesses. When fewer people eat out or shop, that means less tax revenue. Businesses closing, choosing to leave or not come to Minnesota mean less tax revenue for vital services and programs. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce recently reported, using US Census data, that Minnesota had “a net loss of 47,930 residents between 2020 and 2024.”
Policies have consequences. Let’s bring down the cost of fuel, thus inflation, with reasonable policies that everyone can live with. The resulting growth will naturally bring in needed revenue.
Linda Stanton, Woodbury
Bigger tax refunds are likely
Tax filing season is just around the corner, and many people might be pleasantly surprised with their federal tax refund for 2025. If a significant part of their income is from tips, overtime, and/or social security, they will have a lower tax bill. If the amount withheld for federal taxes was not reduced during the year, they overpaid and will get a bigger refund when they file.
Middle-income seniors with a marginal tax rate of 22% who earned more than $6,000 in social security benefits, will save $1,320. Spouses will also save $1,320, if they are in same situation.
The tax savings on tips and overtime depends on each individual’s situation and how the income was reported. In most cases, the tax savings will be significant.
Going forward, people might want to reduce the amount federal tax withheld from their pay during 2026, so they get more to spend each month, instead of waiting for a big refund in 2027.
Dennis A. Helander, White Bear Lake
It’s time for Dean Phillips
Does Gov. Walz need a burning bush? Why doesn’t he see he should withdraw from the current race and let the DFL have a primary? Every day there are new revelations as to the breadth and scope of this fraud, and repeated failed opportunities to address it. The GOP smells blood in the water, and I assume will shout this from every rooftop. Unless they run Mr. My Pillow, they will win handily and may take other constitutional offices .
Only with a new face does the DFL stand a chance to avoid another Minnesota Massacre. And as much as I would like to see a Gov. Flanagan, she also is tainted by this ever-growing failure.
My choice would be Dean Phillips, the only Democrat who told the nation the truth, and that puts him so far ahead of the pack you can’t see second place. The party should go to him hat in hand, asking he spend that currency to salvage what otherwise will be a sinking ship.
Andy Lynn, Mendota Heights
And where was the bipartisan committee?
The multiple incidents of fraud that have scarred Minnesota is appalling, and are currently being investigated and processed, resulting in numerous convictions so far. How much money to be recovered has yet to be determined.
Who is to blame for this fraud? The fraudsters of course. But hard-earned taxpayer dollars need to have continued oversight to make sure that they’re spent wisely and for the benefit of all Minnesotans.
Yes, the fraud occurred during Gov. Tim Walz’ administration, but isn’t this why the House’s bipartisan Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy committee exists? It seems that the members of the committee, consisting of Democrats and Republicans, have failed to do their jobs over the years. (Currently, there are five Republican and three Democrat committee members with three administrators, of whom two are Republicans.)
Prosecute the fraudsters to the full extent pf the law, and be very aggressive in clawing back the hard-earned tax dollars that were stolen.
But also, hold the bipartisan committee members and administrators accountable for not doing their jobs.
Craig Belisle, Woodbury
Please don’t sell the Bolstad golf course
The University of Minnesota Les Bolstad golf course is a gem that needs to be protected. In an effort to preserve the course, a group of concerned citizens have repeatedly tried to engage with the appropriate channels at the University. Unfortunately we have found the following commentary to be exactly the case:
“….board leadership deferred to the U president … despite gaps in planning and public consideration” — Michael Martin (Star Tribune, Dec. 11)
Isn’t public consideration the main purpose for University of Minnesota Regents to exist?
They are seemingly unaware of the impact on the community with the sale of the property. There’s been minimal communication other than an email this past spring that a sale was planned for the golf course, which is profitable. After having owned the property since the early 1900s, the university told us to expect a sale and subsequent development. Housing, light commercial and roads. Heartbreaking and not fair. (One mile or two in any direction from the course is already developed, a more practical option for the urgent affordable housing crisis).
The landscape is home to beautiful flora and fauna including red oaks, coyotes, migratory birds and pollinators. The University of Minnesota Dept. of Horticulture uses the property for two ongoing studies including how native plants on the course affect pollinators.
The course also has mercury and arsenic in the soil from many years of fertilizer use. Under the grass of that property is a substantial amount of peat moss, which is unstable for development purposes but acts as a carbon sink. Any development would require stripping land bare. Devastating and not right. Therefore uf a sale were to occur, we are prepared to pursue environmental litigation.
A group of concerned citizens started a petition asking the University to not sell. It has more than 2,200 signatures. For about $30 million, the University has considered the price but not the value of the property. Neighbors are understandably upset. Golfers and Nordic skiers are sad. The kids on our cross country team who live by the course said they are scared. The golf course is not only for collegiate athletes. The MSHSL Cross Country State Meet and Griak Invitational have hosted thousands of high school student/athletes.
President Cunningham and Regents: Please do not sell Les Bolstad golf course. This group of concerned citizens is willing to work with the University and help find a solution for this issue, including fundraising for upgrades. Green space is invaluable and facilitates recreation, athletics, and impacts community health and well-being.
Tim Kersey, Roseville
The writer is head coach of the cross country and track and field teams at Como Park Senior High School
The malady possessed by the patient in question
It’s time we start calling things as they are. In classical medical parlance, the word “syndrome” refers to a group of symptoms that describe a condition that relates to the malady possessed by the patient in question. If you have irritable bowel, carpal tunnel or Down syndrome it is your gut/wrist/genetics that are affected, not someone else’s. When the term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” or TDS, was first coined, it was supposedly (and I contend mistakenly) meant to refer to the bizarre and distorted opinions voiced by critics of Trump and not to the president himself. More correctly, TDS should be used to describe the despicable and unbalanced behavior that Trump himself exhibits on a daily basis and which threatens the basic fabric of our democracy. Let’s get this straight. Trump is the patient, and it is he who is deranged.
John W. Wheeler, M.D., Maplewood
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