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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2008

Reform Immigration

Regarding "Bush Calls For Quick Tax Relief" (front page, Jan. 19):

How can a few dollars being refunded to taxpayers stimulate economic growth when there are more long-term problems facing this nation, and especially Florida?

Illegal immigration is a problem doing much more damage than most people realize. Most think of them as farm laborers, but they are much more. Major builders use them more than American workers. Although, construction starts are down and American workers are being laid off, you will find illegals doing trade work.

It is time to remove all illegal workers from this country whether they are doing professional, trade or farm work.

J.L. SHORT

Plant City

Is That All There Is?

So let me see if I understand the economic stimulus package correctly.

The government is going to give all who make less than $75,000 per year a check for $600, plus $300 for each kid so that they can graze the aisles of Wal-Mart and stimulate the economy.

Those of us who have been pretty much working seven days per week for the last 30 or so years, who are above the $75,000 threshold, get nothing. And, as an added bonus, we get to pay down the additional debt with our higher tax rates.

Is that about right?

WIL DALTON

Ruskin

Short-Term Solution

They want to give you some cash to go spend now! What percentage of people will really get the "token" amount of money? And the money is a portion of your next tax return - that is if you meet certain criteria.

Now what they didn't say was that this will be deducted from your next tax return. What happens if you owe instead of being due a refund? You'll owe that amount plus whatever your "token" amount was on top of that.

As far as kick-starting the economy, this amount of money will last one trip to the mall or grocer, and it's gone. So, what do you do to keep the economy going next week and the week after that?

S. TOLODAY

Tampa

Subprime To Blame

While elected officials decide what kind of economic incentive plan to offer to rescue a soft economy, they might do everyone a favor by addressing the problem that created the downturn.

Whether it is the financial sector or the housing market, the cause seems to be centered on subprime mortgages. I don't know why anyone would think that individuals with questionable credit history could handle worse terms than people with good credit, but it seems many large financial firms gambled on this scenario creating hardship for the economy at large.

Perhaps, offering realistic, favorable terms to higher-risk borrowers would avoid an end result which hurts everyone. It's a place to start.

CHARLIE BRUSOVICH JR.

Tampa

Still Must Pay The Piper

This administration goes from one unsound thing to another. To prop up the economy with a tax refund only prolongs the time when we must pay the "piper."

Whatever happened to the time tested supply and demand?

The administration wants us to spend, spend, spend when we should be saving and saving. I am thoroughly disgusted!

JIM BOARD

Lutz

Our Only Hope

Regarding "Michigan Likes Sugarcoated Message" (Our Opinion, Jan. 17):

Your editorial on Mitt Romney's win in Michigan shows your extreme bias against Romney. Romney had an optimistic message about jobs coming back to Michigan or new ones being created. Not only do we need a president who can help Michigan, we need a president who can turn around the sad financial affairs of our country.

Now they are talking about giving money away to stimulate the economy. Borrow more money from China and get us in greater debt. This has to stop now!

Your man John McCain wouldn't know where to start to study the finances of this country and make decisions dealing with financial accountability.

Mitt Romney probably had to assume the role of a "hatchet man" to get things done to take a company from being in the "red" to being in the "black." Mitt Romney is our only hope.

BETTY DOBSON

Brooksville

Sons Who Are Serving

Mitt Romney backs the Iraq war, but his sons stay home. He has five sons of military age who are not and have not been in the military. If he was president, how could he meet and grieve with the families of fallen soldiers?

By contrast, John McCain has a son in the Marines and another in the Naval Academy.

RAY MARTINEZ

Lutz

Protecting Environment

Regarding "Crist Leads Party To Conservation Path" (Our Opinion, Jan. 23):

In the editorial the Tribune asserts "there is nothing liberal about protecting the public, preserving natural resources and holding polluters accountable."

Can it then be said that there is nothing conservative about recognizing the value of market forces, respecting private property rights, and requiring that sound science justify asserted environmental scares?

JAMES M. TAYLOR

Parrish

Clarification

Regarding "Red-Light Cameras Don't Stop Accidents" (Other Views, Jan. 23) by University of South Florida professor Barbara Orban:

The increase in auto insurance is such that Florida drivers paid $5 billion more in 2004 than 2000, increasing from $8.8 billion in 2000 to nearly $14 billion in 2004.

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