dialogue

Northwestern Financial Review, Jun 1-Jun 14, 2005

No such thing as a free lunch

Mr. Tatom's credit unions piece, "Congress should rescind tax exemption," in your May 1 issue, made perfect sense and set out a well-reasoned policy prescription. Yet, his recommendation may as well be: "hence forth, all lunches are free." It isn't going to happen. Virtually 100 percent of senators and congressmen will never do anything that would ensure they will be turned out of office in the next election. Doing the right thing doesn't apply to them if to do so relegates them to the ranks of the governed.

Tom Sexton

First State Bank, St. Paul, Minn.

Back to basics

Regarding the April 15 Straight Talk column, "Remember the basics," I agree with your theme and want to add my two cents to it: Never go along with the trend because 'they' must be smarter than you are. More than likely, you understood it just fine and if you are uncomfortable, ask questions and if you are still uncomfortable, don't do it.

David Nightingale

Credit Manager

Maple Bank, Champlin, Minn.