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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

Workers Would Be Hurt

Regarding "An Income Tax Could Rescue Florida" (Commentary, Jan. 13):

George Meyer's column on income was somewhat confusing. He was comparing the homes in Tennessee and Idaho to his rental investment, which is taxed at a different rate.

Voting "yes" on the new property tax is one step closer to a state income tax. Since Florida is notorious for our lucrative pay scale, who would that hurt and benefit? The $10-an-hour wage earner paying for most of the elderly services? If you can afford the house, pay the tax.

If there is an income tax, tax income over $100,000. Why did the powers that be take away the intangible tax or raised it so high that no one has to pay?

R. TOMASELLI

New Port Richey

Just One More Tax

The tax addicts are trying to peddle the idea that a state income tax is some sort of panacea. Without getting into a numbers argument, we all know the story of the proverbial camel sticking his nose in the tent. Chances are a state income tax will simply be added to other taxes.

Remember when the lottery was sold to us as a cure-all? I also recall when a corporate income tax was tacked on to the state constitution. We are all paying for that one in the form of passed-on costs. No doubt this will be sold to us as a scheme that only impacts the "very rich." Don't buy that one, either.

LEONARD MARTINO

Tampa

They'll Just Spend More

How can a state like Tennessee get by on low property taxes while California just can't get enough money? The answer seems to be that lower taxed states are successful in controlling costs, yet keeping services acceptable.

Now some advocate more changes to the way Florida collects taxpayer's money. Impose an income tax? Increase the sales tax? To me the answer is not to fiddle around with the way property or income is taxed but to attack the tax receiver. When our financial income doesn't quite meet our spending, what do most of us do? Make do with what we have, reduce costs where we can, and put off unnecessary purchases.

So now we are asked to vote on a revised property tax bill that will help taxpayers reduce taxes on their property. It won't work. The ones that want our taxes will simply increase the tax millage rate, and we are back to square one. The only solution is to restrict the income to Florida governments. We can't restrict their income by giving them the authority to increase their tax income by changing the millage rate.

GENE D. BARKER

Brandon

View It As Annuity

Regarding "The Greatest Injustice In America" (Other Views, Jan. 14):

Will Graves says it's an outrage that Social Security taxes have a $97,500 cap. Of course, unless a cap is also placed on payout, the trust fund won't increase in the long term with contributions from higher incomes. But if there is a cap on payout without a cap on contributions, it defeats the original purpose of Social Security. Why not just take the money out of general revenue?

If we want to keep Social Security extant, I think we need to erase the image of it as a tax. Even though it is mandatory, it should be thought of as a guaranteed annuity and not welfare or an "entitlement" any more than any other insurance payout. Benefits not paid for by contributions, such as those for non-working spouses, should come from a separate account funded by general revenue, requiring perhaps a small increase in income taxes on the country's increasing number of multimillionaires and billionaires.

YOLANDE KERSEY

Tampa

Not An 'Injustice'

Will Graves attacks the Social Security program as this "greatest financial injustice" because, as he describes it, the $30,000 a year taxpayer has all of his income subject to Social Security tax whereas a taxpayer earning $300,000 a year is "able to shield most of his or her income from Social Security tax" - that is all but $97,500.

What Graves has ignored is that the Social Security Act was enacted in 1935 to provide individuals with some financial security in their retirement years. At the time pension plans were not that common in the private sector. While the program has been expanded over the years to include minor beneficiaries and health care, it is still basically a compulsory government-sponsored retirement plan with the employer sharing the cost with the employee.

To identify this as "The Greatest Injustice In America" is an injustice in itself.

JEROME SCHINE

Temple Terrace

A Fitting Tribute

Regarding "Ex-Mayor Honored In Bronze" (Metro, Jan. 14):

I think we should put the statue of former Mayor Dick Greco in front of Centro Ybor or the trolley station or in front of Raymond James Stadium so the taxpayers can really enjoy the statue.

RAYMOND VILLAR

Tampa

Equally Deserving

After reading the article on making a sculpture of former Mayor Dick Greco, it confirms my belief that New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner should have one too. For many, many years, Mr. Steinbrenner has contributed greatly to children, adult and community causes. He deserves recognition as a "hometown hero" who continually helps our community.

VICTORIA FABIANO

Tampa

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