The Minneapolis Star Tribune printed letters re Jim Ramstad op-ed

and 3/4 letters they printed praise him.


Lead by example

In his Feb. 23 commentary, "Too much at stake for partisan warfare," Rep. Jim Ramstad advanced the admirable notion that we need to "work together for the good of the country."

But how are Democrats and Republicans supposed to find common ground when Republicans are governing from the far right? The Republicans have taken over Congress and the White House, and their control of the media is so secure, why should they compromise?

Ramstad sounds like one of that rare breed nowadays, a moderate Republican. If he could persuade his Republican colleagues to move toward the center where compromise might be found, perhaps the "partisan warfare" would diminish.

Beth Gilman, Eden Prairie.




No place for him in GOP

Shame on Rep. Jim Ramstad. It's obvious that he is a RINO (Republican in name only).

With his pragmatic thinking and moderate talk, it's clear he will be challenged in the 2006 primaries by a Republican with higher moral standards, a strong antigay marriage message and a bombs-away, flag-waving agenda.

Jay Boss Febbo, St. Paul.

A moderate no longer

For many years, I was a Jim Ramstad supporter. I believed he was a moderate and bipartisan voice in Washington.

But the last four years have proved me wrong. His votes with the radical right-wing element of his party have left me shocked and utterly disappointed.

Over the past four years, Ramstad has supported a foolish and overpriced war in Iraq, supported irresponsible revenue cuts that have left our country in a fiscal crisis and voted for cutting funding for many social programs that help poor women and children out of poverty.

It's time for a new congressman in the Third District. We can't believe Ramstad's calls for bipartisanship any longer.

Mark Heaney, Minnetonka.

Reverence for Ramstad

The Feb. 23 column by Rep. Jim Ramstad gives hope to those of us allergic to the ramblings of zealots on either left or right.

Ramstad has long been a leader in working toward good government, forsaking the childish shenanigans now practiced by official leadership in both parties.

He has taken on tough social issues such as substance abuse and housing, with a clear concern for the disenfranchised and challenged. Yet he has always maintained his focus on fiscal accountability.

Without concern for recognition, Ramstad has worked to raise money for food shelves and treatment programs and to assure equal treatment for all physical and mental illnesses.

How has he maintained his integrity? He has never forgotten that his quest isn't about him, but about serving his constituents.

In a better world, we'd recognize the terms "liberal" and "conservative" as little more than childish labels. Those who would run to truly represent us could campaign as "Ramstads."

Dan Cain, St. Louis Park.


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