Posted 3/21/01 Let charitable organizations be charitable To the editor: It never ceases to amaze me how Democrats can figure out new ways to spend taxpayersí money. Yet another example of this habit has been found in the newspapers the last couple of weeks. It comes in the form of a new bill authored by our own State Senator, Twyla Ring. She calls this ìa bill with a heartî and is a perfect example of the Democrats insatiable need to spend our money. Senator Ringís proposed legislation seeks $300,000 in taxpayer money to replace grave markers that now have numbers on them instead of the peoplesí names who have passed away at state institutions. My heart goes out to the families of these unfortunate slighted individuals. I agree that these people should get the proper respect in death that they deserve. It is my understanding that some of these families have already replaced these numbered markers with named markers. These families are on the right track. They took it on themselves to replace the markers. I do realize that circumstances exist making it financially impossible for some families to take care of this unfortunate problem by themselves. I personally believe it would be much better to have charitable groups such as Advocating Change Together, Lions. Rotary, Jaycees, Chambers of Commerce or a church group step forward and take this on as a project using contributions from the private sector. I for one would be more than happy contributing to this cause if it were a private organization, but I find it offensive to have government extract it from me in the form of taxes. Bruce Nelson Pine City ©Post Review