Grant Hauschild, Fargo, letter: Hoeven, Berg should support ‘Gang of Six’ 
The more Americans demand compromise and show they’re willing to accept sacrifices, the more likely we’ll see the “Gang of Six” plan passed and our country put back on strong financial footing.
Dustin Gawrylow, Bismarck, letter: The simple but sour debt-ceiling solution
While politicians in Washington argue over which bandage to put over the wound, it really is just an issue of dollars and sense.
Pam Gulleson, Rutland, N.D., column: How Americans can build a better future
As Americans, we have faced up to tough times and tough problems throughout our history and dealt with them head on. Think of the men and women who built this nation. They had a vision of what had never been, and said, “Why not?”
Milo Mathison, Mentor, Minn., letter: Some are more equal than others
It concerns me when Congress, wrestling with the debt crisis, considers cutting funding from many programs helping the poor rather than raising taxes on the rich.
OUR OPINION -- Budget transparency: Always a good thing
When Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions calls for transparency, he’s making a reasonable request — and it would be in North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad’s interest to grant it.
RELATED CONTENTPatty Lodoen, Westhope, N.D., letter: Berg voted for budget Ryan drafted
As The New York Times described the vote: “The House voted 235-193 to approve the fiscal blueprint for 2012 drafted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and chairman of the Budget Committee.
Sally Stutlien, Fargo, letter: Millionaire Berg supports pro-millionaire bill
I was appalled when I saw North Dakota’s only U.S. House member vote for the supposed “Path to Prosperity” put forward by Rep Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Ellen Dunn, Fargo, letter: No surprise: Berg opposes tax hike on rich
Maybe Berg is so against doing away with the tax cuts because the action will directly affect him. Let’s not forget that he is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and in the “top 1 percent” that the president referred to.
Don Sollom, Thief River Falls, letter: Leaders should stop talking, start listening
The politicians have got our number. We haven’t fooled them one bit. They keep promising, and we keep voting them in to office.
Jean Dunham, Thompson, N.D., letter: ‘Deficit hawk’ Conrad helped deficits soar
Those who have brought our country to the brink of financial collapse have disqualified themselves from attending to its fix.
Lee Murdock, Grand Forks, letter: America’s wealthiest can afford to pay more
I fail to see why individuals such as actor Charlie Sheen (who reportedly made more than $1.8 million per episode of Two and a Half Men), actress Jennifer Aniston (who makes $27 million a year), baseball player Alex Rodriguez ($34 million), golfer Tiger Woods ($110 million), author John Grisham ($25 million) and radio host Rush Limbaugh ($38 million) can’t be asked to share the burden by paying a bit more tax.
Treasure Omdahl, East Grand Forks, letter: ‘Check the box’ for cleaner elections
Corporations seem to have plenty of money to pay for political campaigns but not enough to pay taxes. Therefore, it’s important for us to check the box on our tax returns to give to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund.
Don Kuznia, Grand Forks, letter: Washington labored and brought forth a mouse
We need politicians who are willing to make difficult decisions — ones that might prevent them from getting re-elected. But tough choices must be made.
LLOYD OMDAHL: Agenda? Shoes, ships, sealing wax, cabbages, kings
A column about this and that from here and there.
RELATED CONTENTJan Raaen, Erskine, Minn., letter: U.S. soon may be the one needing foreign aid
When will we be wise enough to stop giving foreign aid to rogue countries?
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