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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2007

Memories Of Smokers

I enjoyed the article 'Tampa's Original Field of Dreams' (BayLife, Oct. 7).

It was well done; however, a major user of Plant Field was totally ignored. I must have watched hundreds of games played by the Tampa Smokers of the Florida State League in the '40s and '50s.

Believe me, those games were enjoyed by many of Tampa's baseball fans of those days, and I can still name dozens of guys who played on those teams.

GEORGE LEVY

Tampa

'Baby Bonds' Worth It

Regarding 'Beware Showering Babies With Bonds' (Our Opinion, Oct. 8):

I was disappointed to read the Tribune's cynical editorial on Sen. Hillary Clinton's proposal to establish a 'baby bond' program. Based on Great Britain's celebrated Child Trust Fund law, Clinton's proposal merits serious consideration.
Census figures show that between 1979 and 2005, incomes increased 81 percent for Americans in the top five percent, while the lowest-income fifth saw their incomes decline 1 percent. The main culprits: unequal access to college and increasing economic returns for college graduates.

By providing all youth at 18 a small nest egg to invest in their education, 'baby bonds' can help narrow this gap.

Of course, nothing is free: The cost for more modest $500 accounts would be $3.75 billion a year, which suggests Clinton's proposal for $5,000 accounts would cost $37.5 billion - a considerable sum, but still only one-third of the $111 billion the government currently spends to subsidize pension contributions.

STEVE DUBB

Tampa

Why Expect The Truth?

In 'Beware Showering Babies With Bonds,' you ask, 'Why isn't Clinton offering details?' Have the Clintons ever given us details - let alone the truth - about anything? Your question depends on what the definition of 'isn't' is!

Although the questions you ask are relevant, you missed the point entirely. The real question is: Would we really be helping these people to hand them additional money? That only plays into the sense of entitlement that so many young people already have.

We need curriculum that teaches youth how to avoid debt - check balancing, using credit cards wisely, savings plans and living within one's means, etc. - before it's too late. My kids already have columns for their allowances on tithing/savings/spending. Give a man a fish - or $5,000 - and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish - financial planning - and you feed him for a lifetime.

BETSY BAKER

Tampa

Creeping Socialism

As I read and hear more of our political candidates' plans for our general well-being, I am experiencing an uncomfortable essence of socialism. The USA is founded on private enterprise, be it a large corporation or a small family business. The mere mention of privatizing some of the Social Security income doomed any reform. Privatizing some security requirements in Iraq has met with anguish.

Giving kids a $5,000 gift for college cuts into the generous student loan system, wherein banks profit from the interest but, more importantly, kids learn about the free enterprise system and that there are no free lunches. Is socialized medicine next? I could go on.

Be alert. We may well be 'The Socialistic States of America' if we don't watch whom we elect in November.

PERRY J. DAHL

Tampa

It's Up To Lawmakers

Regarding 'Voters Must Help Straighten Florida's Twisted Tax Structure' (Our Opinion, Oct. 7):

Your editorial assumes voters have the power to correct a fatally flawed, discriminatory property tax scheme, which is not true. Only the Legislature has that power.

The solution is simple and can be implemented if the Republican-controlled leadership has the courage to allow voters to approve a fair, equitable and honest tax system. That solution is a statewide uniform sales tax of 8.5 percent in total, without any county add-ons.

The only exemptions from the sales tax would be food, clothing and medical costs, except for luxury items like formal gowns and tuxedos, shoes that cost more than $100, etc., and all elective, cosmetic surgery like facelifts and breast implants.

Those few exceptions would be fair to lower income citizens while taxing everything else. And no exceptions for corporate sky boxes, lawyer/accountant fees, etc.

The question is, does the Republican-controlled Legislature have the courage to say 'no' to the lobbyists and special interest groups and the guts to expose politicians who prefer demagoguery to honest, responsible government?

DAN CALABRIA

South Pasadena

An 'Exceptional Person'

Regarding 'Suspicious Prison Transfers Net Demotions' (Metro, Oct. 9):

In my more than 30 years of public service, I have met a lot of folks. Most, I would say, are decent people who just want to do their job and not make waves. Some are definitely not in this category and are paying the price for dishonesty, graft and corruption. And, sometimes, one emerges who not only has extraordinary talent, experience and expertise, but is a truly honest, hardworking and dedicated public servant who would never take the easy way out or shirk his duty.

One of these people in Tallahassee today is Jim McDonough, the secretary of the Department of Corrections.

After a long and exemplary career in the Army, he was appointed Florida's 'drug czar' and then as secretary of Corrections by Gov. Jeb Bush. Almost immediately, the new secretary realized what a horrible mess Corrections was in. He didn't falter and took on the terrible corruption head on, despite threats to his personal safety. When Gov. Charlie Crist (another fine man) was elected, he reappointed him as secretary.

Jim McDonough is an exceptional person. Florida is extremely fortunate to have him as secretary of Corrections.

JIM SEBESTA

St. Petersburg

The writer is a former state senator.

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