TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Letter To The Editor

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2007

A Day To Celebrate

Sitting in the big room on Labor Day, I heard the speaker passionately proclaim his position. With fire and brimstone in his voice, he exhorted us to stand together against the evils of the day and to continue on down the path we had begun. My five-year-old daughter looked up at me and asked, 'Is this church?'

Actually, it was the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa and it was lunchtime at the Labor Day celebration sponsored by many of the labor unions. The tone was decidedly (pick a word) Democratic, liberal, left- wing. I am decidedly not any of those. My wife had just joined the union for Pasco County teachers this semester, and this was the first function we attended. I'm glad I went.

I am concerned about our divided nation, where we all fall in a different place on the ideological scale. What I heard Monday did not reflect my position, but it reflected the position of many. Leaving the event, my wife remarked that at least we're in a country where people can voice their positions. That may be the singular common point that we all share. That should become our rallying cry.

JOHN AUSMUS

Wesley Chapel

Congress Overlooked

Regarding 'Secure Government Workers Now Lead Labor Day Parade' (Our Opinion, Sept. 3):

What beef have you with unions? They brought us the 40-hour work week and weekends. They are guaranteeing workers earn a wage that gives them a shot at a decent life, which the free market has been proven not to do over and over.

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who would disagree with the 'generosity' of the pension plans you seem to take such issue with and which pale in comparison to those of our true government employees - the senators and representatives elected to Congress, the ones who support corporations over the average worker. When I see an editorial from you calling for an end to their pensions, only then will I take you seriously.

ABIGAIL MOUAT

Gainesville

Pertinent Facts Omitted

Your editorial attacking government employee benefits is a poor comparison from a state perspective that promotes controversy and excludes pertinent facts about public/private sector compensation parity.

The Florida Legislature is notorious for partially providing state employees with cost-of-living adjustments to keep pace with the actual annual cost of living, particularly with current spikes in gas, insurance and the prices of other life necessities. Employee health insurance premiums usually rise concurrently, with the cost-of-living adjustment diminishing the actual increase. No cost-of-living was granted to state employees this year, just a one-time bonus.

State agencies are evolving with a leaner force performing more duties with fewer personnel. State employees continue to cope with evolving benefits, salary disparities and cost-of-living issues, but hopefully the retirement benefit will remain strong and sufficient to retain experienced personnel.

BILL SULLIVAN

Seffner

Service Unappreciated

Yeah, heck with those lazy, no-good government employees! All those bums have to do is get that stupid college degree or go through the fire or police academy. Then what do they do, just teach that snotty kid of yours, pull you out of a burning building, answer that call when someone breaks into your house at 1 a.m. or fix that broken sewer pipe.

Man, we should just hire illegal aliens or ex-cons to do all that stuff. No benefits and we probably wouldn't have to even pay minimum wage. Sound like a good idea?

MARK HOWARD

Seffner

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT