Opinion editor’s word: Star Tribune Opinion publishes letters from readers on-line and in print every day. To contribute, click on right here.
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Relating to “The trauma of coping with trauma by no means stops”: As an emergency room nurse on the Hennepin County Medical Middle from 2014 to December 2021, I appreciated the in-depth reporting on the toll of working in emergency medication. I typically felt responsible likening my expertise to the PTSD of navy veterans or police, as a result of I used to be far much less bodily in peril. Nonetheless, the emotional whiplash of witnessing fixed violence, significantly useless youngsters, earlier than punching out to return to regular life is isolating at greatest. With a number of colleagues taking their very own lives throughout my tenure, I hope society and hospital programs are moved to take care of the emotional well-being of front-line staff working in important care, together with giving permission to take a pause comparable to totally paid go away, if requested, and never denying/limiting time-off requests.
Anna Dykhuis, Minneapolis
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I hope the ER employees at HCMC understand that the superb work they do in saving lives is actually appreciated. I do know as a result of my husband ended up there years in the past after we had been struck by a drunken driver once we had been using our bikes. They actually saved his life. I used to be admitted at a distinct hospital, and people ER staff additionally deserve thanks. Years later, we’ve a great life — some lasting injury, sure, however we’re right here. Due to all of the ER well being care staff!
Lori Lohman, Chaska
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES
Nicholas Kristof appears to be complicated correlation and causation in his latest commentary (“The privilege we liberals cannot see,” Opinion Alternate, Sept. 15). Sure, single-parent households correlate to better childhood poverty and decrease achievement. Why? As a result of wages are not excessive sufficient {that a} household of 4 can survive, not to mention thrive, on a single (40-hour week) revenue. It is arduous to supply enrichment experiences in case you are struggling to afford meals, housing and dependable transportation or must work two jobs to do it. So are single-parent households the true reason behind childhood poverty and achievement failure, or is it that wages have not saved up with value of dwelling will increase for the reason that Nineteen Fifties?
Julie Quinn, Le Middle, Minn.
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Nicholas Kristof’s commentary “The privilege we liberals cannot see” is thought-provoking. As a liberal myself, I take problem with the title. I do see. Moreover, like many people liberals, Kristof shows discomfort when laying out the arduous details — the plague of kid poverty is much extra prevalent amongst Black folks than amongst white folks. However this isn’t any extra racist (or “politically incorrect”) as recognizing the fact that incarceration charges are disproportionately greater amongst folks of shade, property possession is disproportionately decrease amongst folks of shade, abortion charges are greater amongst folks of shade, and poverty charges are greater — to catalog only a few of the signs of a group that has had disadvantages all through our historical past as a rustic. The one excellent news is that these disparities are being acknowledged and addressed. (Be comforted, Mr. Kristof, realizing that it’s us liberals main the cost to acknowledge the issues and our collective culpability.)
However whereas this commentary is effective, it does not tackle the way to right poverty. Maybe Kristof, who identifies as a liberal, shares the opinion of probably the most liberals: Let the federal government present applications that carry underserved communities out of poverty. Those that do not agree, take word: Knowledge has simply been printed relating to the kid poverty price improve for the reason that cessation of the kid tax credit score program.
It is a dramatic instance of the devastation that may happen when a profitable authorities program is rescinded.
Richard Masur, Minneapolis
ST. PAUL CITY COUNCIL
This 12 months, voters have a uncommon alternative to affect the course of St. Paul metropolis authorities. The vast majority of Metropolis Council members will not be searching for one other time period, together with the 12-year incumbent representing the Third Ward, which consists of Highland Park and most of Macalester-Groveland.
The subsequent council ought to tackle many years of deferred avenue upkeep, more and more burdensome residential property taxes and bureaucratic insurance policies that make it needlessly troublesome to construct housing or run a enterprise in St. Paul. As an alternative, opposing candidates are advocating to develop town’s position in dictating housing costs and launch an costly preschool subsidy scheme that even Mayor Melvin Carter says is unworkable.
Isaac Russell has sturdy public coverage expertise unmatched by every other candidate. He spent practically a decade as a hardworking state Senate employees member below divided authorities and now directs coverage for a nonprofit devoted to constructing a greater financial system for all. Having grown up in poverty and skilled homelessness, Russell understands what’s at stake and what works. Each group member deserves a way of security and safety, beginning with efficient police, hearth and public works. Russell will take a realistic and disciplined method to delivering the companies we’d like.
Kevin Gallatin, St. Paul
The author is marketing campaign chair for Isaac Russell.
SOCIETY
I’m a wild-eyed suburban liberal, and I lastly watched the video of Jason Aldean singing “Attempt That in a Small City.” I listened to the phrases, regardless of the controversy about the place it was filmed.
To start with, I reside in a small city — Minnetonka. Granted, it isn’t a “small” city — 53,000 — however it’s not massive, both. Lately we had been on the Hopkins farmers market (one other small city), and my husband left an entire bag of corn behind on the vendor’s desk. And when he went again, two hours later, darned if that corn wasn’t nonetheless there. That form of factor occurs right here on a regular basis.
And after I lived in Minneapolis, I lived in small cities — Cooper, Lowry Hill, Longfellow. Minneapolis is filled with small cities — 83, I imagine. They’re referred to as neighborhoods. And we handle one another in these neighborhoods — we assist one another out, we convey sizzling dishes and bars and go to folks within the hospital, we control the children, we’ve picnics and shovel one another’s walks. We do all the identical issues folks in small cities do — we care about one another.
And I do not know anyone who likes the form of violence that occurred, for instance, on Jan. 6, 2021, in entrance of one other neighborhood that belongs to us. There are lots of people in small cities out right here, and we’ve much more in frequent than you’d assume. Possibly we must always speak extra about that, and fewer about how totally different we’re.
Carol Allis, Minnetonka
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Studying the Sept. 16 letter “A reminder of complexity inside us,” I used to be at first confused by the road describing “elites who put folks in a field primarily based on race, ZIP code … .” I actually went, What the heck is that this considerate, eloquent individual speaking about? Sure, I see reductionist stereotypes very often, however not as full as the author deeply felt had gotten within the mainstream. I quickly realized that although I observe of us I do not agree with on X and speak typically with the neighbor who thinks I’m going to hell, I nonetheless miss plenty of concepts, speaking factors and factors of view well-liked outdoors my bubble. Might perhaps somebody in media assist out much more by doing items on “here is some methods of seeing issues that have not gotten to you”? It is a massive ask, however imagine others would discover it fascinating as nicely.
Casstinna Hanson, Columbia Heights
