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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

A Disappointing Poll

I just completed my own unofficial poll at work and determined that the top issues facing our nation are - in priority order - the global war on terrorism, the shrinking U.S. dollar, the increasing trade deficit, threat of a recession, and the increasing national debt. Most alarming about this list is what didn't even make the top five.

There was no mention of taxes or even immigration. After the war, people were most concerned about finances. They fear that the shrinking dollar and ever-increasing national debt will fuel a recession with inflation taking what's left of their paycheck after rising taxes, fuel prices and insurance rates.

Sadly, hunger in America was the next most important issue reflecting that most people are more concerned about themselves. Interestingly, the looming health care crisis with more than 50 million people having no health care insurance came in seventh place.

I'm almost 60 years old and can't remember a time when we faced so many important issues. Let's hope the next president can take care of this top five so that we can focus finally on issues here at home.

JOE YARBOROUGH

Tampa

We Are In It Now

Regarding "Is World War III On Hold?" (Other Views, Dec. 19):

I may be way out there, but was a new enemy common to all free, and some not so free, nations not identified? Were we eventually not attacked by this enemy who caused us much destruction, pain, sorrow - and retributive anger? Did American war policy not require a major shift to confront a largely cloaked enemy? What do we call American military operations targeting since 2001 a specific world region after some nations suffered debilitating incursions for years and others took to nurturing this enemy? Has the United States of America not been leading a direct assault on both toward imminent victory?

The final chapter on World War III has yet to be written; we are in its midst. Much likely will change during the next roughly 9,500 hours and beyond - where once again we will lead the world toward some semblance of peace by having had the guts to put our chin out there - win, lose or draw.

HENRY HOWER

Tampa

Charity Begins At Home

Regarding $7.4 Billion Pledged To Help Palestinians" (Nation/World, Dec. 18):

With $550 million in U.S. aid to the Palestinian government, I am waiting for the day when our government starts to have a "charity begins at home" mindset. Over time, billions upon billions of dollars have been given to foreign countries in loans and aid, with many of the loans being forgiven outright. A lot of those funds are going to countries which harbor an outright hatred for America and everything it stands for.

Our elected officials should focus on what is going on here at home. Teachers buying school supplies out of their own pockets for their pupils, cutbacks in services everywhere, people going homeless and hungry just to name a few. It is a wonderful thing to help those in need, but our needs should be a top priority. A few billion dollars being generated back into our country would go a long way in easing the anguish so many American citizens have to endure every day.

MARK P. ENERING

Wesley Chapel

Open It To All Veterans

Regarding "System Benefits Area" (Letters, Dec. 18):

The second paragraph talks about the great amount of money that service people put into the economy. My husband is a four-year veteran of the Korean War. Only retired personnel or those in service can use the privileges of MacDill. I personally think all veterans of any war should be able to use MacDill commissary and pharmacy. It would put more money into the economy.

These men and women gave their all for four years or more. Just because they did not stick it out for the duration and retire, it is not fair. The troops coming home from the war in the Middle East will get no benefits after they are done even, if they have served one, two, three or four tours over there.

Non-service people could pump more money into the economy. We do not live on base, but we could buy our goods and pills there. My grandson is in Germany repairing vehicles and comes home in a month. He will not be able to go to a commissary when he is back in the states.

ANNE PERKINS

Sun City Center

A Biased, Political Article

I was thoroughly confused by the commentary "McCain Deserves Another Audition" (Other Views, Dec. 13) from The Economist magazine.

How can an article from that source be so non-economist-like? My position is based on the idea that economists are generally logical pragmatists; they live in the real world of "cause and effect;" whereas, nothing happens in a vacuum. The article indignantly lectures Republicans for dismissing McCain for positions on specific issues - tax cuts, campaign finance reform and immigration policy. The reality is, McCain should be dismissed by conservatives for those exact reasons. Moreover, the author states, "He opposed tax cuts because he thought they would create a deficit," without mentioning the economic-boost tax cuts bring and the fundamental relationship federal spending has on "deficits."

In my opinion, the article's source is highly misleading; it is simply a politically biased article for McCain and nothing more.

KEVIN SCHWEIKHART

Tampa

His Dream Ticket

When Sen. Joseph Lieberman - former Democrat, now Independent of Connecticut - announced his endorsement of Sen. John McCain, Republican, for the presidency, people were surprised and stunned.

However, I think most will agree that both McCain and Lieberman are, without a doubt, two of the most believable and proud statesmen, admired as such throughout the country. How about a McCain-Lieberman ticket? We need men like these two to guide our country to greatness once again.

JACK KELLER

Belleair Bluffs

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