commentaries

Minnesotans, test your knowledge of the 'Affordable Care Act.' Of the 2,000 plus page legislative document impacting all citizens, a significant portion of the U.S. economy with Washington D.C. rules, regulations and mandates, what do you know? [By the way, as a result of myopic zeal, the Tribune Editorial Board would never ask this type question.]

Thank you for clarifying the voting rules for all of us. I hope that our voting laws stay as accessible as they are now. I know students, folks who have moved recently, and our senior citizens who may not have typical documentation of their birth all benefit from our current voting laws. I will be voting NO on the Voter ID amendment. There are easier, more effective and less exclusive ways to ensure voter integrity than this over-reaching amendment.

@jdlellis1-- clearly not happy with the ease at which one can vote for non-GOP candidate so instead post partisan political rant about affordable health care act without informing others that your mufti-millionaire candidate Mitt Romney also has government funded healthcare - for life - like a never ending welfare case but a millionaire. But don't think about that. It's not one of the talking points from the play book. Maybe having all the facts about the people telling you what to say before speaking would be helpful for our country.

The answer to the Question: I have a felony conviction. Can I register to vote? is incorrect. You can vote if you are in jail if you are not currently serving a felony sentence under supervision. Many people in jail are not under supervision and have not been convicted and are awaiting trial and can vote absentee.

A great service - too bad it wasn't published earlier. Wonder how these questions will read if Voter ID is approved...after the legislature gets done with it!

getcrazy, The framework of the U.S. Constitution was to limit the role of the federal government with all other powers regulated to the Several States (a Constitution term). A better approach to brining forward a health care solution regarding access and costs would have been to allow the Several States to develop their own solutions as issues in South Carolina are different than Hawaii, Oregon or Arkansas and allowed for innovation. Then of course there was the tax levied by Congress on medical devices which will negatively impact Minnesota as Siemans (Germany), Phillips (Netherlands), Omron (Japan) and others laugh as the erode into the U.S. market share as a result of cost increases at companies like Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, etc. Then, what the ACA did not address is tort reform where in an increasing litigious society, medical companies, insurance companies and doctors must protect themselves. In, addressing the real topic of this blog, Voter ID, while the concept has merit, there appears to be too many unknowns at this time suggesting it appropriate not to pass. Finally, name calling and class warfare rhetoric is sophomoric, does little to promote civil discussion and falls short of 360 degree critical thinking sills required to address opportunities and issues (e.g., If one are not part of the solution, one is part of the problem).

jdlellis1 --- Letting individual states handle things could potentially create 50 different sets of rules which would likely limit insurance covering multiple states. Potentially if you get sick in another state you may not have coverage. Second, the "pooling" of insured is what dictates premiums. States with lower population could get hit hard.

jdlellis1 --- Tort reform is a dicey subject with congress. Majority are lawyers and they are unlikely to do anything that hampers income potential of their bretheren.

gcriley, Especially true with respect to Congress and tort reform, you raise valid discussion points in both your comments.

There is a big failure in the question with Jenny's two jobs from 7AM to 7:30PM. None of the possible answers mentioned that Jenny's employers must give her paid time off to vote according to Minnesota law. 204C.04 EMPLOYEES; TIME OFF TO VOTE. Subdivision 1.Right to be absent.Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election has the right to be absent from work for the time necessary to appear at the employee's polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work on the day of that election, without penalty or deduction from salary or wages because of the absence. An employer or other person may not directly or indirectly refuse, abridge, or interfere with this right or any other election right of an employee. Subd. 2.Elections covered.For purposes of this section, "election" means a regularly scheduled state primary or general election, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of United States senator or United States representative, or an election to fill a vacancy in the office of state senator or state representative. Subd. 3.Penalty.A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and the county attorney shall prosecute the violation.