TO THE EDITOR:

I continue to be amazed that the Sherburne County Board, while serving in the most conservative county in Minnesota, has an insatiable appetite for rasing taxes. Recently the Board doubled the wheelage tax for county residents. This is an extremely regressive tax that penalizes those who need multiple vehicles. Many Sherburne County residents have two adults and teenagers using multiple vehicles, but drive very few miles annually. Other residents have one car and drive tens of thousands of miles per year. Yet somehow our county board, in a unanimous vote, feels this is a fair way to tax constituents. Commisioner Hulse justified his vote by saying that the increasing number of electric vehicles are not paying the gas tax that funds our roads. Then why didn’t Commissioner Hulse push for an increase in electric vehicle wheelage tax instead of burdening all residents of Sherburne County? 

Mark Backlund

Big Lake Township, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

I was surprised that Barry VanBuren (Letters, 8/12) was promoting the Hindu and Buddhist concept of karma rather than the foundational Christian virtue of forgiveness. Sad! And Mr. VanBuren was cheering the defeat of an American national team for political reasons. Shocking! It seems that he has signed on to cancel culture. Should young American athletes be vetted for their political and religious beliefs before being allowed to compete in the Olympics and other international sports competitions? It seems that’s the kind of policies which the attitudes expressed in Mr. VanBuren’s letter would lead to. And that, in my opinion, is unAmerican.

Anthony Thompson

Big Lake, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

I’m concerned about our 6th district US Representative, Tom Emmer, in his role as Republican Whip of the US House of Representatives. As Majority Party Whip he’s the assistant leader to Kevin McCarthy, and serves to count heads and make sure all House Republicans follow party policies. This has got to be a tough job with the likes of Representatives Greene, Gaetz, Boebert etc.

Recall that McCarthy sold his soul while getting elected Majority Leader.Tough job for a whip with a compromised leader. It must be terribly difficult, as whip, to keep party members in line when your party has no real party platform other than opposing anything Democrats support.

Most critical is Emmer’s role in the 2024 elections. Our divided country needs a functioning two party system with credible Republican candidates, especially

for president. Donal Trump, a twice impeached, four times indicted candidate with no discernible policies other than vengeance for his critics and enemies, is not a credible candidate. Republicans can do better.

I’m calling on Rep. Emmer to step up, make a positive difference and stop drinking all the Kool-Aid.

Kenzie Phelps

Clear Lake, MN