An
alternative
point of view
There is an alternative to the talking points of both “major” and one “minor-major” political party and their so-called “think tanks,” apologists, focus groups and financial masters, who are the same people at the top of the food chain for both “major” political parties, as former U.S. economic hit man John Perkins mentioned in a 2006 public address (may still be available on YouTube) as well as in the three books he wrote or contributed to.
On July 3, Pacifica Network (on over 800 affiliated stations) broadcast an address by Noam Chomsky, the man whom the New York Times grudgingly admitted is “Arguably the most important intellectual alive.” The (U.K.) Guardian stated “Chomsky ranks with Marx, Shakespeare and the Bible as one of the 10 most-quoted sources in the humanities.” He has written more than 100 books and is also known as one of the fathers of modern linguistics.
Whether you have preconceptions about Chomsky or have never heard of him, you owe it to yourself, your children and hopefully future generations to read the transcript or view the address, likely in the recent archives for July 3, 2009 at www.democracynow.org by the time this is published. If you have no time to peruse the address, please read the conclusion of the address below:
“Now, of all the crises that afflict us, I think my own feeling is that this growing democratic deficit may be the most severe. Unless it’s reversed, Arundhati Roy’s forecast might prove accurate, and not in the distant future. The conversion of democracy to a performance in which the public are only spectators might well lead inexorably to what she calls the ‘endgame for the human race.’”
Arthur E. Yeske
Prior Lake

Fourth
sparkled due
to donations
On behalf of all members of the Prior Lake Association, we would like to express our appreciation for the generous support for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show over beautiful Prior Lake. Thanks to the contributions by many of our local businesses as well as individual community members, we were able to provide another great show. The display is a major expense for the association and would not be possible without the continued support of this community.
The Prior Lake Association also wishes to express our gratitude to the many local businesses that donated prizes for the annual Fourth of July Boat Parade on the lake. In particular we want to recognize the Wagon Bridge Marina for furnishing the Charles Prior II again this year to lead the parade and provide a perfect judging platform.
The annual Fourth of July celebration is one of the major events of the all-too-brief summer season on Prior Lake and was a crowd pleaser again this year. We intend to [have an ad] recognizing all our business and civic contributors at a later date. Check out the year-‘round activities sponsored by the Prior Lake Association at www.priorlakeassociation.org.
Woody Spitzmueller
Prior Lake

Kline should
support Free
Choice Act
I am writing in response to Rep. John Kline’s guest commentary published July 4.
First, I would like to thank Rep. Kline for supporting the federal government’s commitment to pay its promised share of the costs of the special education services they require at the school district level. But I take issue with his position and comments on health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act.
Rep. Kline expresses his concern for affordable, quality health care but opposes the option of a public health insurance plan. He characterizes this as a government takeover of health care, which it is not. People would still be able to choose any health insurance available to them. For those who get health insurance through their employer, these options are limited, and their choice of medical providers is as well.
Kline raises fear that government bureaucrats will make the decisions that rightfully belong to families and their doctors and says he “will fight for solutions that keep doctors and patients in control of their well being.” Under our current system, this is not the case. Insurance companies make the decisions. They are the ones who decide what procedures will be available to us. Since insurance companies need to make a profit, the denial of coverage is often in their best interest. Seventy-two percent of the American people support a public option. The question in Congress then is whether our representatives support the American people or the insurance companies.
Rep. Kline espouses the misrepresentation that the Employee Free Choice Act will take away the right to a secret ballot when workers are deciding whether to form a union. The secret ballot would still be an option under the Act. He also suggests that the Act would result in coercion, pressure and outright intimidation. Right now, companies harass and intimidate workers who try to organize a union. Twenty-five percent of companies unlawfully fire workers who are pro-union. We need unions to restore the dwindling middle class.
Rep. Kline should support the Employee Free Choice Act in order to restore fairness to the process and the promise of the American dream.
Jevne Kloeber
Prior Lake