MIDTERM ELECTIONS

To win, the left needs moderates

It is crucial that a Democrat retain Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat this fall. The Republican Party has forfeited its right to govern by its allegiance to a despotic, autocratic, con man president, a grifter pillow salesman and its tribute to convicted murderer Derek Chauvin, among many other faults.

Rep. Angie Craig is the strongest candidate for the open Senate seat. She has demonstrated a consistent ability to win election contests in a purple district and appeals to the widest range of Minnesota voters. Between one-third and one-half of Minnesota voters now consider themselves independent. The DFL has overlooked the fact that we don’t live in New York City or Los Angeles. Outside the seven-county mosquito control district, a large pool of potential Democratic voters consider themselves to be moderates who will not support ultraliberal progressives. Craig appeals to those voters along with having a very strong following in the metro area. She has apologized for her Laken Riley Act vote and has actively opposed President Donald Trump, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy and tactics.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, rightly or wrongly, is the target of the fraud claims that have dogged the Walz-Flanagan administration for well over a year now. She has made little or no effort to separate herself from these claims, except to blame others, and is extremely vulnerable to attack from the right. Additionally, she touts her endorsements by U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. These will not help her with the independent voters the Democrats desperately need.

Craig is clearly the best choice for the Senate seat in November and should be chosen in the upcoming primary election.

JOSEPH PRICE, Edina

As I read the article “Klobuchar makes business-friendly bid” (July 20), which discussed the “Democrats mov[ing] left,” I was left confused over how “left” is defined.

If you look at the textbook definition of a democratic socialist, you see their goal is to replace capitalism with socialism.

By contrast, a social democrat — which is what we see in Sweden — embraces capitalism but understands it has limits (for example, in the need for providing national health care).

The DFL needs to clearly define itself as social democrats. The current confusion over who “the left” is allows the Republicans to define DFL candidates using the radical language of democratic socialism.

A vast majority of the state — and the nation — does not support the democratic socialist goal of replacing capitalism with socialism. Nor do they support the goals of banning the police, prisons, the U.S. Senate, the Supreme Court, etc. (See the Democratic Socialists of America website for details.)

The DFL must embrace the “Swedish model” of governing. It must embrace capitalism. It must support the police and prisons. It must promise it will root out fraud and corruption.

But it also must stand for democracy, fighting climate change, supporting legal immigration and unions, reasonable taxation and making the state friendly to both small and big business.

The goal of the democratic socialists is to take over the Democratic Party to advance their goals. The DFL would be better off making a clean break with them, and deny Republicans the opportunity to paint them as socialists who are weak on crime.

JIM PIGA, Mendota Heights

MINNEAPOLIS GOVERNMENT

Frey deserves a share of blame

I am beyond tired of the inaccurate premise that dysfunction at Minneapolis City Hall is somehow only the fault of the City Council. In my view, Mayor Jacob Frey is culpable for the poor relationship that exists between the City Council and the mayor’s office. Frey had a poor relationship with the council when it was led by Lisa Bender and that continues with Elliott Payne as council president. It is also telling that no Minneapolis DFL state-level representative endorsed Frey’s re-election campaign. It is time to recognize that Frey lacks the leadership skills that are necessary to foster progress and compromise. Frey does not get along with others, and that is to the detriment of Minneapolis residents.

JIM KRUZITSKI, Minneapolis

TERM LIMITS

A better solution for incapacity While the idea of something equivalent to the 25th Amendment for representatives and senators as proposed by columnist Jill Burcum sounds good, I have something better in mind: term limits for both houses of Congress (“Congress needs its own 25th Amendment,” Strib Voices, July 11). The Constitution as it is written now allows representatives and senators to run for re-election an unlimited number of times no matter how old or sick they become. These term limits would allow veteran legislators to retire and live a quiet life while allowing a new generation of lawmakers to serve in their places.

This idea is not new: People who work in other sectors typically retire after a long term of service to live out their remaining years quietly, though some retirees seek our volunteer and/or part-time work.

I call upon Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith along with my U.S. representative, Ilhan Omar, to consider instituting term limits for both the House and Senate even if a constitutional amendment is required.

DAN WICHT, Fridley

AM RADIOS

Cars don’t need buggy whips, either

I’ve noticed recently on social media a push for a bipartisan bill requiring AM radio in every motor vehicle, and it makes zero sense to me unless we want to go back to 1965. I own a Tesla, and if I want AM radio, there’s an app for it. Anyone with a smartphone can get AM radio in any car with Bluetooth, and any car without Bluetooth already has an AM radio built in.

We’ve already got FM, satellite radio, apps and the wireless emergency alert system on every phone doing the same job AM was supposed to do. Worried about your phone dying? Most people are plugged into a charger while driving anyway. Worried about the weather? Just look out your windshield and seek shelter, or check the weather radar app on your phone.

Nobody’s forcing car companies to keep cassette decks or eight-tracks around just because they used to be standard. Technology moves on. Congress needs to leave this one alone.

GREG KJOS, St. Louis Park

WELCOME SIGNS

Parks are no place for insecurities

Recently, there was a column by Dan Trudeau claiming that parks need to address the “equity gap” in making them more welcoming to “communities of color” (“A low-budget way to fix our park equity gap,” Strib Voices, July 9). They encouraged BIPOC artists to create entrance signage that will make people of color feel welcome.

OMG. How woke can you get? Whenever I go to a park, I go there because of its location, its walkways, its natural beauty, etc. I have never ever felt the need to be welcomed due to my color, gender or culture. This sends a dangerous message to various communities that now feel they need special attention and encouragement to show up. Especially with parks — those should be places where we can leave our insecurities behind and just arrive to enjoy nature.

PAMELA POMMER, Bloomington