Unelected 'superdelegates' in charge

It is indeed ironic that the Democratic Party, which in this campaign is stressing unity, cannot even unify itself. The main problem seems to be with their so-called "superdelegates," an unelected special group that the party, in its infinite wisdom, dreamed up over two decades ago.

Neither candidate can win the nomination without superdelegate support. But there is now the prospect that the Democrats' presidential nominee will be chosen by individuals no one voted for. How undemocratic!

One could say that the Democrats have outsmarted themselves and created a convoluted mess for both the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama camps, with no easy solution in sight.

-- Fred Wagner, Clinton

Much of Thursday's editorial, "Keep driving ethanol forward," could be challenged. For example, "In America, ethanol is currently produced chiefly from corn. Consequently, in their latest attack, naysayers have concocted a near-doomsday scenario in which increased demand for corn sends food prices sky high."

I call your attention to the following articles from your own paper: March 14 -- "High cost of wheat affects treats;" June 17, 2007 -- "Higher grain demand helps increase food prices" or June 12, 2007 -- "Rising food prices sting consumers." If the problem of increased food prices is a "concocted near-doomsday scenario," what does this say about your news coverage?

Would it not be more rational for your editorial board to acknowledge that our headlong rush into ethanol at this stage of the technology has been a serious miscalculation reaping unexpected, dangerous and cruel consequences for people around the world?

We agree that we should research biofuels, particularly in the areas of non-food sources that might be able to supplement energy sources without jeopardizing food sources, and that Wisconsin is the ideal place to do such research.

But that is not what your editorial proposed, and it is not what is happening today.

-- Edward R. Brown, director, Care of Creation Inc., Madison

Expect range wars over switchgrass?

The Sierra Club wants power plants to burn switchgrass. And ethanol proponents want to develop an ethanol process that will use switchgrass.

In the old west, the farmers and ranchers fought over the same land. I can see the "megawatters" fighting the "ethanols" over the same switchgrass, with the government subsidizing both. It should be exciting.

I'm ready. I have my switchgrass seed and, when the price is right, I'm digging up the lawn.

-- Roger Rulseh, Madison

Taxes, health care don't trump freedom

In a Thursday letter to the editor, a supporter of motorcycle helmet laws argues they are justified because they save taxpayer dollars by reducing Medicaid costs.

There are three competing goals that cannot all be achieved: freedom, subsidized health care for the poor and low taxes. Most people agree that those are all worthy goals.

By arguing for helmet laws on the basis that they help control Medicaid costs, the writer is saying that Medicaid and low taxes are more important than freedom. If we accept that position, government should attempt to control people's diets and exercise patterns and any risky behavior people wish to participate in.

Although I believe in helping the poor and keeping taxes as low as possible, the goal of personal freedom has to be of paramount importance.

-- Charles J. Gervasi, Madison

Alliant not on board with emissions cuts

Regarding a recent article titled, "Doyle, coalition back mercury cut," I thank Gov. Doyle on behalf of concerned Wisconsin residents for taking action against mercury pollution. By forcing those responsible to be accountable, we are taking steps towards ridding our state of dangerous pollutants.

This effort shows progress in Wisconsin, yet a shadow is still looming in the form of a new coal plant planned for the small community of Cassville. This new plant, planned by Alliant Energy, is not a solution to the problem the governor is trying to fix.

As of 2004, the existing units in Cassville produced 69.5 pounds of mercury per year. The proposed Alliant plant is projected to emit 196 pounds per year. It doesn't take a mathematician to know that these numbers don't work with the governor's plan.

Instead of working towards a solution and becoming a leader in the fight against mercury emissions, Alliant Energy is focused on making an easy dollar off of coal.

Nearly 75 percent of Wisconsin's electric power generation is derived from coal-fired power plants. New coal plants have recently been approved in Wisconsin in Oak Creek and Weston. We have been victims of the effects of coal for too long.

Alliant should become a leader in the fight to reduce the pollution of our state's air, water and natural resources.

-- Matt Wessale, Madison

End polarization of America's politics

In Friday's letters, a writer asks "Are the majority of state voters stupid?" based on his disappointment over the election of Michael Gableman over Louis Butler. The question is insulting to the 20 percent of us who actually voted, but it points out a damaging position we have come to in this country.

For the past 20 years, at every level of government, we have become so polarized by party politics that we no longer even try to find middle ground. Look at the legislation that didn't get addressed in the previous session as a prime example.

We are being guided by extremes on both ends of the political spectrum, and the average American has lost the initiative to even vote to try to change it. Some people think the government should take care of everything, and others think God should direct us in all things.

We should take responsibility for ourselves, end the red vs. blue, Democrat vs. Republican, left vs. right and work toward solving our problems somewhere in the middle. On the extremes there is no room for compromise, and without that, issues can't be resolved. We need to free ourselves of the "gridlock" of politics and remember it's people you represent and not "parties."

As to the question of whether we are all stupid, that remains to be seen.

-- Merrell M. Tomlin, Cross Plains