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Letters To The Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

Stockholder-Based Goals

Regarding "State To Weigh 47% Rate Hike" (Business, Aug. 12):

State Farm Insurance economist Robert Hartwig only uses portions of actuarial standards that support his stockholder-based goals. Certainly where income (State Farm profit) is concerned - and Hartwig's maximum bonus is involved - State Farm profits are worthy of discussion. Essential elements of the actuarial standards equation are quite noticeably absent, especially the family's ability to afford (and pay) the increased rate.

Hartwig quite openly and very publicly has insulted Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and all citizens of Florida by using only selected portions of actuarial standards to support his proposal for insurance rate increases. Elsewhere in The Tampa Tribune, actuarial standards were fairly applied by the GAO to procurement of a replacement tanker aircraft.

Perhaps it would be wise for Hartwig to remember that he is part of the public that supports State Farm.

CHARLES G. ADAMS

Tampa

Hurting Middle Class

Regarding "TECO Makes Formal Request For 2nd Increase" (Business, Aug. 12):

The rate increase request by TECO is just another example of large corporations raping the American middle class. Yes, the price of coal has increased, but the profits are growing at a disproportionate rate compared to cost.

Since 2002, the export cost of coal has risen nearly twice the rate of import costs, which means American coal companies are making huge profits by exporting more coal to nations like China. Since the supply is down for us, the price goes up. They win both ways. They then cry poverty because of rising costs and raise prices through the roof.

Our government's inactivity is only part of the problem; they need to begin to worry about us citizens before corporate profit. The American public is being made to sacrifice for the good of other nations and for corporate profits. Not only is the American public losing jobs to other countries, we are actually supporting them as well.

JESSE JULIANO

Tampa

No Rational Explanation

Regarding "Tax 'Mess' Muddles Short Sales Of Homes" (front page, Aug. 13):

How ignorant has our system become? What else will the state of Florida and our local governments come up with to drive our economy into the sea? Maybe if fiascos such as this mirage about short-sale documentary tax revenues being unfair continues, real estate sales will come to a complete standstill and we won't need so many of these so-called public servants who are trying to manufacture another crisis simply because their budgets are being squeezed just like everybody else.

What if two identical homes next door to each other sell at a loss for the same exact price, one of which has no mortgage and the other does? Are we supposed to believe that the owner with the excessive mortgage should pay higher doc taxes on the sale just because the sale won't pay off the mortgage? A mortgage should have no bearing on the doc taxes which are based on the sale price and, as we all know, many homeowners now owe more on their homes than they could be sold for. This is just another side-door money grab with no rational explanation.

ALAN CRAWFORD

Valrico

Give Police Their Due

Regarding "Officer Cleared In Shooting Teen" (front page, Aug. 13):

Before the protest and angry letters start pouring out, I wanted to thank police officer Terrence Nameth for his service to our community and also let him know that there are still law-abiding citizens that appreciate everything he and his fellow officers do every day.

It seems ignorance is rampant these days and good men like Nameth will be viewed as a murderer and a racist by many people, but it's important to let these fine men and women know there are still some brains left in the world and citizens that support them.

GARY HOWARD JR.

Lutz

Vote Out Incumbents

Regarding our incumbent candidates - we need to vote out all of them.

We need to pick the best newcomers and vote for them starting with Congress right down to the school boards.

Congress is not trying to change the situation in Iraq or Afghanistan, immigration problems, high gas prices, the economy, the outsourcing of jobs and health insurance, etc.

Some Hillsborough County commissioners are more worried about a $40 million ball field than helping the employees and residents.

The Hillsborough County School Board is a joke considering all the infighting - and let's not forget "travelgate."

We voters deserve better than this. The ones that don't get voted out maybe will wake up and they will finally do the job they were elected to do.

B.P. FARRAR

Tampa

Sheriff Owed Apology

Regarding "It's Time For New Leadership At Top Of Pasco Sheriff's Office" (Our Opinion, Aug. 8):

As a supporter of Pasco Sheriff Bob White I was, of course, disappointed by your endorsement of his opponent.

First, if the few take-home cars were such a big issue, why didn't the good lieutenant, as part of White's management team, bring this issue up prior to his retirement and announcement of his intention to replace White? This is not a new issue and the practice has become national over the last couple of decades.

Second and more astonishing is your remarks regarding White providing 30-year retirees with gap health insurance. Health insurance is one of the most important issues facing America today and is especially important for baby boomers prior to becoming eligible for Medicare. Police work is a very dangerous job and certainly after 30 years of faithful service an officer should be able to retire and not worry about health care prior to reaching 65.

RALPH JENKINS

Land O' Lakes

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