Pauper Pols

I enjoyed this letter to the Star Tribune that appeared today about Gov. Pawlenty's renaming of MinnesotaCare:

While I disagree with Gov. Tim Pawlenty's term "welfare health care," I must admit it is a cleverly turned phrase. It may improve political discourse in Minnesota to have a contest to develop more of these phrases. Two that have occurred to me are:

• "Mortician politician," for politicians such as Pawlenty who seem to have the goal of burying health care and social programs that have helped make Minnesota the healthiest state in the United States.

• "Pauper politician," for politicians such as Pawlenty who do not appear to base policy on Matthew 25:40: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Doug Wholey, Deerwood, Minn.