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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2008

Raise Alcohol Levy

Regarding "Raiding Fund Easy Out For Visionless Pols" (Our Opinion, Dec. 10):

That our tepid leadership in Tallahassee should contemplate raiding the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund to maintain the illusion of reducing taxes is bordering on criminal. Your suggestion of a heavier tax on smokers once more puts the onus on people who would be expected to ante up more money for the privilege of engaging in a socially stigmatized activity.

There is one massive area where additional revenue can be raised, namely that of the alcoholic beverage industry. Alcohol is the cause of many deaths, loss of working time and extraordinary expenses for medical treatment. Thousands of families suffer the misery alcohol use perpetrates.

To double the taxes on any drink containing alcohol may well discourage the young from drinking and help keep the morons who drive when drunk from our highways.

It is time this industry was treated the same way as the tobacco industry, for their product is equally as obnoxious and socially disruptive.

ROBERT JAMES

Tampa

Bush Not To Blame

The political cartoon on the Tribune's Dec. 10 editorial page by the Chattanooga Times Free Press showed a broken sign painter's chair that read "economy." It takes nerve for artist Bennett to place blame for today's economy on George W. Bush.

Until a year ago, President Bush gave the nation a DOW of 14,000 points, unemployment of 4.7 percent and economic growth of 3.5 percent.

In 1994 President Clinton added to the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act and launched an anti-redlining campaign against banks led by Henry Cisneros, Andrew Cuomo and Janet Reno that lasted into this decade. The result was Democrats used Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to get rich while both Fannie and Freddie lost trillions in today's housing and credit markets.

Two of the Democrats who got rich were Franklin Raines, appointed by Bill Clinton in 1998 as CEO of Fannie, and Jamie Gorelick, appointed in 1997. Between those two Fannie paid out $125 million over a six-year period.

In 2004 Bush began warning Congress of the housing market trouble, and to a man all Democrats on the congressional Banking Committee reported nothing was wrong. Democrats own today's economy.

GEORGE REILLY

Tampa

Judicial Watch Needed

Regarding "Ex-Teacher Gets Probation" (Local 2, Dec. 11):

The child in this case is just that: a child. Furthermore, the child is a victim. For Judge Padgett to state or infer anything other than that is unfathomable and demonstrates a lingering undercurrent of bias that often makes it easier for African-American males to be viewed negatively in the judicial system and the community at large.

I am angered! I thank you for reporting this story in the manner you did. It opened my eyes. If Judge Padgett's statements are indicative of how justice is dispensed in Hillsborough County, I vehemently urge all of us to seriously consider the proclivity of those we elect in such influencing positions.

It's a good thing that Judge Padgett will retire in early 2009. It's a bad thing we don't know if this same attitude exists in the next judge.

We need a citizens' judicial watch committee.

ANGELA JUDGE

Tampa

Bad Message To Send

Regarding "Ex-Teacher Gets Probation:"

Please, this decision is just bunk! I trust and pray that justice operates within consistent and fair parameters. Extenuating and mitigating factors are often the guide in the establishment and deliberation of justice/punishment. The parameter that I see with respect to the issue of teaches and sex not only concerns me but sickens me as a parent and citizen.

What are we telling potential offenders in our community? This judgment invalidates the concern and responsible actions of the superintendent of schools, the school board, the teachers' union and the teachers themselves, as they all try to establish and maintain the proper level of trust and behavior required to be stewards of the public.

I wonder, what would happen if these kinds of relationships occurred at one of our county's "A" schools?

STANLEY GRAY

Tampa

Green Acres

On Dec.11 Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena suggested the city allow gardens on the old Maas property. Can you imagine? The "next great city" with a cornfield in the middle of downtown? Duh.

The ground there is so poor it would not raise sand spurs. The city could have had a condo on this site and on the Kress site had it not been so arrogant with the developers.

HENRY PIERCE

Tampa

One Explanation

Regarding "Disorder In Housing Office Demands Good Explanation" (Our Opinion, Dec. 11):

I have one: derelict of her/their duties.

GREGORY W. DAVIS

Tampa

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