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Letters To The Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 13, 2008

Where Is Money Going?

Regarding "Crumbling Infrastructure Needs Bold Vision, Action" (Commentary, July 06):

Why are the infrastructures crumbling? There are tolls, state highway use taxes, IFTA taxes and various other fees, among which are state gas taxes! Where are these monies being spent? Why is there no accountability for states or federal governments?

This goes on all over the country. I came to Florida from New York in January, and this same situation was happening in N.Y. I think if American citizens actually had a correct accounting, they would have heart attacks.

America is in very bad shape and needs many changes and reforms.

MONICA J. SAVIANO

Spring Hill

Try Roosevelt's Way

Our inept president sends out millions of $600 checks to many Americans hoping this will speed up the recovery from the recession we are enduring, which may turn into a deep depression.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our 32nd president, inherited Hoover's Great Depression and brought us out of that catastrophe by forming the Works Progress Administration and providing work for everyone willing to work. They restored the country's infrastructure and brought us out of the Depression.

I trust Barack Obama will do the same.

VINCENT F. SULLA

Tampa

It's Republicans' Fault

Regarding "Blame The Democrats" (Letters, July 7):

The letter writer laments that the Democratic Party is responsible for many of the ills of this country, including high gasoline prices, since they took control of Congress. The only problem with that thinking is that the Republicans had control of Congress for four years from 2003-06, while the Democratic Party has now had the majority for only the past 18 months.

No sane, reasonable and intelligent person would expect to see a complete change of policies in a little over a year. He also states that "only Congress can pass laws," but conveniently omits the fact that President Bush has to sign any bills into law or they cannot become law, save for an override. The Republicans, with Bush's help, spent like drunken sailors on pork barrel projects while in control.

Nice try, but blaming the Democratic Party for Republican mistakes won't fly. The blame rightfully goes to the Republicans for running the U.S. deficit up hundreds of billions after inheriting a surplus from Clinton, spending billions of our money in Iraq and allowing Halliburton, Blackwater and other large corporations to get rich from our tax dollars.

GEORGE PETRICK

Riverview

Senator's Position Wrong

Regarding Sen. Nelson's comments in "Drilling's Ripple Effect Feared" (Business, July 4):

Over two-thirds of the American people believe that we need to begin drilling for oil. Apparently Nelson would rather follow the Democratic agenda than listen to the people he represents. He states that we should drill in areas already designated for drilling.

Considering the tremendous investment needed to drill, should oil companies drill where it is not profitable?

What happens to our national security if one day our foreign oil "friends" decide that they don't want to sell us oil?

It seems that Nelson takes a position on drilling that will have long-lasting, adverse effects - very much like his decision when he was the Florida insurance commissioner. This was when he allowed the "big" insurance companies to form Florida subsidiaries which limited their liabilities to just their business in Florida as opposed to all their national business.

ROBERT K. READER

Clearwater

No Incentive To Drill

While industry lobbyists and politicians chummy with "big oil" would have you believe we need to open up more areas to drilling, the fact is that millions of acres of land and sea are currently leased, tested and approved for the taking. But oil companies refuse to act.

Additionally, if the oil companies were truly sincere about providing cheaper gas and diesel to the American consumer, they would immediately start building more and better fuel refineries and stop making excuses and blaming environmentalist. Do you really believe if Shell Oil, Chevron and the others wanted to build a new, state-of-the-art fuel plant anywhere in the Gulf region, including Mexico, that environmentalist could stop them?

Obviously, the status quo, coupled with the Bush energy policy and the war in the Middle East, has created a mammoth bounty for the oil companies. So why would energy companies do anything to change the situation?

If you'd like to take action that would force the hand of big oil, tell your congressional delegation that you support national legislation like HR6251, "Use it or lose it." Future legislation should also require oil companies to begin drilling in the hundreds of permitted but unused leased tracts in the deep Gulf - or give them back to the people.

LOUIS SKRMETTA

Gulfport, Miss.

Oil Here In Many Forms

The absolute lack of knowledge about oil, from our elected officials to the American people, is astounding. Let me explain.

When thinking about oil, don't just focus in on gasoline used to fuel our vehicles. That is only part of it. And yes, I believe that we must do our best to conserve. But you must consider this: the next time it rains and your roof doesn't leak or you drink a bottle of water in that stupid new eco-bottle or you drive your fancy new hybrid with the new tires or even your oh-so-trendy electric car, you better thank God for oil.

All these products we use every day, roofing shingles, plastic and car tires are all petroleum-based, also known as "oil." This is just a very tiny portion of the products we use every day that require petroleum.

DAVE HANDLER

Tampa

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