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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2008

Costly Election

Here's an example of why Buddy Johnson came back for more budget money. At the poll where I work there are about 3,000 voters on the roll. We had 6,000 ballots.

Guess where those extras went? In the trash, of course. No wonder taxpayers are upset about local government. They don't mind wasting our money.

JOSEPH OATES

Seffner

Paying Lawmakers

What is the difference between the governor of Illinois and the Florida legislators?

The governor wants his money up front for the contracts. It appears that the legislators give the money and then get big-paying jobs. Not only are they paid by the state to legislate, they also are paid by the colleges even though they are not on the job.

Aren't these the same political crimes?

GENE KANNEE

Sun City Center

Undo New Regulation

During these very difficult economic times in Florida when people are losing their jobs and so many Americans are without health care, it is unconscionable that the Bush administration has issued a sweeping new regulation that would further undermine health care.

This last-minute controversial regulation protects a broad-range of health care workers - from doctors to janitors - who refuse to provide a patient with services or information that they believe violates their personal, moral or religious beliefs. The federal government will be empowered to cut off federal funding to any entity that does not accommodate employees who exercise their "right of conscience."

Roughly 200,000 U.S. citizens, federal and state elected officials, medical organizations and health care advocacy and religious organizations submitted comments opposing this misguided rule.

This rule will restrict health-care access everywhere, including at nearly 600,000 health care centers, pharmacies and hospitals across the country. For example, health care workers who oppose birth control could refuse to provide counseling to women and couples seeking family planning; employees who oppose premarital sex could refuse to provide couples or individuals testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS; and emergency room workers could deny sexual assault victims information about emergency contraception that would prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood's commitment to quality health care remains strong, and we will work with the new administration and Congress to overturn this disastrous rule and to expand - not limit - the right of all Americans to have access to health care.

B. ZDRAVECKY

Sarasota

Story Suggestions

Having just read how proud you are of your reporters doing local news, I have two stories where I would like to see some in-depth investigative reporting.

We continue to read of our dire need for mass transit in this area. What is the situation with mass transit in the four metro areas closest to us in population? They are San Diego, St Louis, Baltimore and Denver. Maybe Baltimore should be omitted since it is part of the DC - Philadelphia - NY metroplex, which does not relate well to us. What type of system do these areas have? What is the ridership as a percentage of capacity? What is their operational profit or loss?

Global warming is often cited as indisputable, but a quick read of NASA's website disproves this statement. What are the changes in temperature over the past 20 years as measured by satellite and land based equipment? We're told that over the course of the Earth's history, it has been a molten mass and a nearly frozen snowball, yet the ideal climate was obtained within the last 100 years and needs to be maintained at all expense.

Both of the subjects will have dramatic effects on our local economy and life style.

Sic 'em!!

JACK C. BOLEN

Brandon

Crucial First Step

As a group of concerned citizens and business people determined to help save South Florida's estuaries and rivers, the PURRE Water Coalition is pleased that the South Florida Water Management District has taken the crucial first step to save the Everglades. This is a move PURRE has been advocating for years for the long-term benefit of Florida's beloved waterways, its residents, its economy, and its businesses.

Much work remains to be done. No one thing will solve all of Florida's water problems, but this deal to purchase 180,000 acres from U.S. Sugar Corp. is the greatest hope we have to undo, to the extent we can, the damage man has done to Florida's natural water systems. Acquiring this land is a must.

We are grateful to Gov. Charlie Crist and the South Florida Water Management District governing board for having the vision to say "yes" to such an innovative and bold idea even in the face of opposition.

MICHAEL VALIQUETTE

Fort Myers

JOIN DISCUSSION

The Tribune welcomes letters and e-mails from readers. The text should be original and no longer than 150 words. By making a submission, you agree the Tribune may edit the letter for length and clarity, and publish it in any medium.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Mail to: P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Or e-mail without attachments: tribletters@tampatrib.com.

Also, read and participate in the Tribune editorial board's blog, "Thinking Out Loud," at www.tboblogs.com/index.php/thinkoutloud/categories....

The writer is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. The writer chairs People United to Restore Our Rivers & Estuaries Water Coalition Foundation.

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