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Don't Be Misled On Energy And Taxes

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By Frank Morsani

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

The current discussion concerning offshore drilling is an example of how hard it is for our leaders to do the right things for the right reasons.

If we Floridians are concerned about our pristine beaches, we should be more concerned about the use of septic tanks that are polluting our waters.

We worry about oil rigs we can see but not human waste that flows unseen into lakes, rivers, and eventually the Gulf and Atlantic. Entire new housing developments rely on septic tanks instead of sewer systems.

Are we citizens asking the correct questions? Are our city and county leaders being aggressive in protecting these "pristine assets?" I think not.

As for oil drilling, the technology developed in recent years supports the position of those of us who believe offshore wells are safe.

There are, of course, other alternatives for electric power that would be developed if we had leaders of substance and backbone. Nuclear energy immediately comes to mind. Residents of the Tampa Bay area need look no further than the Crystal River nuclear plant. And France and Japan are poster boys for safety and integrity. Wind generation of electricity, as proposed by T. Boone Pickens, is another alternative; however, there are groups in Florida opposed because some birds might be killed.

Our nation could also incorporate liquefied coal plants. Just one part of Kentucky has enough coal to satisfy our energy needs for 400 years. This technology is over 100 years old. It is the technology that fueled the German war machine. Today it supplies the majority of the energy for South Africa. I have witnessed a great deal of poverty in South Africa but no air pollution.

We citizens need to keep our eyes open so we won't be misled, as we were in January. Then, our state leadership encouraged us to vote for Amendment 1. Let's look at the effects of these tax cuts:

Budgets are reduced for police and fire protection. There are fewer road repairs.

Mosquito control is a health issue, but it is now in the cross hairs for reduction.

Cities and counties will undoubtedly reduce beautification projects.

School budgets for an expanding population must be reduced. Some school districts are contemplating four-day weeks, which means working parents must find daycare for the fifth day. In our higher education system, we will continue to lose outstanding professors to other states.

If we citizens continue to be complacent, policymakers will continue to create poor public policy.

I am amazed that all forms of the media are not outraged by what our state government has done.

I realize I am in the "check-out generation." I am sure that those leadership partisans will be grateful when I am gone. But as long as I am around I will continue to urge our citizens not to be hoodwinked by glad-handers and pretty faces.

Frank Morsani, known for his philanthropy in the Tampa area, owns several automobile businesses.

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