Letters: Do we want a more perfect union? Stop with the zero-sum thinking. – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

St. Augustine wrote that the once democratic Roman Republic was founded on a multi-god religion, with a hierarchy of gods based on dominance. The Roman Republic became the Roman Empire when Julius Caesar became a dictator in 46 BC and was later declared a demigod. It seems the Roman democracy did not survive in part due to its religion and subsequent empire based on dominance.

Christianity, other religions, and our nation are based on beliefs in one God, the Golden Rule, and we the people. These beliefs include liberty and justice for all in the USA, melded together with capitalism grounded in the Enlightenment Period (human reason).

Our democratic system historically has not been zero-sum (i.e., its all about winning, and for me to win dominate others must lose, because I know best and deserve the best). Unfortunately, weve drifted to a predominant zero-sum perspective in recent decades focused on I / mine tribalism, rather than we tolerance and solidarity.

The recent book The Upswing by Robert D. Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Barrett is a good investigation of the cycle of I we I in our nation from the Gilded Age of the late 19th century to the present time. We can change the current tribal I / mine trend that is destroying our democracy, if we can believe and live that were in this democracy together to make a more perfect union for we the people (a primary purpose of our Constitution, consistent with the Golden Rule).

Al Kean,Cottage Grove

In the 2016 presidential election, many liberals and Democrats said Trumps victory was illegitimate due to Russian interference. They spent millions of dollars and wasted congressional time, trying to prove it, to no avail. They suffered no consequences for their opinions.

In the 2020 presidential election, many conservatives and Republicans questioned Bidens win, claiming massive voter fraud, and irregularities in voting precincts. These allegations were never given credence or thoroughly investigated by Congress or the media.

Since the Democrats are in control now, Parler, a conservative social media platform has been blocked by some tech giants Former Facebook officer Alex Stamos told CNN we have to turn down the capability of these conservative influencers to reach these huge audiences.

The Minnesota League of Women Voters recently sent a letter to our legislators stating that they could be accountable if they continued to talk about a stolen election

Why is the conservative voice being silenced? I find this very disturbing. The vast majority of conservatives and Republicans are not inciting violence. Why should their opinions be suppressed due to a few radicals?

Freedom of speech should be allowed for all in America. In order to become united, we should all share our viewpoints and discuss our differences.

Vicky Moore, North St. Paul

Upon reading of the upcoming resignation of Steve Marchese from the St. Paul School Board, it occurred to me that we taxpayers need his help. As the only school board member who voted against the will of the teachers union regarding this falls pandemic learning, could Mr. Marchese give us an exit interview via this newspaper? In it, please let us know how to get out of the grip of the teachers union.

A majority of the various populations polled during the pandemic wanted a choice to reenter the classroom, even most St. Paul teachers, apparently. But the teachers union did not. Why couldnt the school board overrule them? Do the board members feel compelled to side with the union for fear of not getting reelected? Does the school board even have any authority to act? When a current member, Zuki Ellis, bemoans the fact that students have been disenfranchised, and says, as reported in this paper, that she is so, so angry, one has to wonder with whom she is angry. Also disconcerting is the fact that she and Chauntyll Allen, this January, again voted to keep all students out of the classroom, supporting the union stance, when the vast majority of parents now indicate a preference for in-person learning.

What must be done to put control back in the hands of the schools owners, the taxpayers, government leaders and district administrators? Must we declare, in law, that teachers are essential workers, and mandate binding arbitration?

The next election of St. Paul school board members is in November, when a majority of the board (four members) is to be elected. Voters, perhaps it is time to vote for candidates who are independent thinkers, and who have the best interest of the students and the community at heart, rather than necessarily voting for those endorsed by the union.

Deborah Mulcahy, St. Paul

The people in caravans who are headed for our southern border are mostly good and hard-working young people trying to find a better life for their families.

They are escaping poverty and violence fueled by the drug and human trafficking cartels. All of this is tolerated by their unstable governments. These young people are ones who are most likely to revolt against the status quo and bad government. But it is safer and easier to leave.

Unstable South American governments are happy to get rid of the young people who they see as the greatest threat to their power. These governments cannot provide services for their population so they gladly let people escape.

Unfortunately, when young people leave their home countries to cross our borders they increase the likelihood that their home governments will never change. The unintended consequence is this: Millions of people in the future will be subjugated to the same poverty and violence the caravans left behind.

Warren Poole, St. Paul

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Letters: Do we want a more perfect union? Stop with the zero-sum thinking. - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press