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Letters To The Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 27, 2008

Shocked By Article

Regarding "Storm Of Problems" (front page, May 18):

I was shocked by the article. It gives the appearance that our government is too big, ineffective and giving away our tax dollars in the form of grants - with little oversight. It initiates the thought that government shouldn't be involved in citizens' private affairs. If we're not careful, exposures like this will create a cynical state and nation.

Everyone knows the state or federal government would best be suited for providing national health care by vetting doctors and medical professionals and recommending medical treatments and prevention. Our health is much more important to our state and national governments. I'm certain they'll treat it with more importance. Right?

STEPHEN FISHER

Tampa

Choice Taken Away

Regarding "Homeowners, Beware In Picking Contractors" (front page, May 19):

I am writing about the failure of the My Safe Florida Home program and what was omitted from the story. There were probably many readers who breathed a sigh of relief because they had never become entangled in the MSFH program and did not have to suffer the financial loss as those who had trusted the state-approved contractors, but unfortunately this is not entirely true.

Everyone who has purchased homeowner's insurance in Florida is shouldering the burden of the MSFH program through the assessments that go directly to the state-run Citizens insurance company. The $250 million earmarked for the MSFH program could have been used to reduce the deficit to the catastrophe fund and all Florida homeowners would have benefited.

This is another clear example of what happens when choice is taken away from the people and government is tasked to perform the work.

JOE BURKESON

Riverview

Too Much Subsidization
Regarding "Lenders Make Home Sales More Expensive" (front page, May 17):

I read the article with varying emotions. They were, incredulity, amazement and, lastly, disgust.

Our government has subsidized, with taxpayer monies and lower interest rates, every profit-making entity in existence. It seems that these subsidies are not now and never will reach the average taxpayer.

If anyone accepts a government bailout or assistance and does not pass their savings to the people who funded their bailout, they should be allowed to not only fail, but their corporate structure should be liable for civil and criminal penalties. Do not bite the hand that both feeds and saves you.

THOMAS BONZELLA

Lakeland

Organize For Benefits

Regarding "State Taxpayers Cover Shortage When Pension Investments Lag" (Our Opinion, May 20):

The Tribune grumpily editorialized that state employees have sound pensions while many private employees do not. The Tribune proposed that perhaps state employees should not have the pension system that their unions worked so hard to get.

Rather than spreading the misery currently felt by private employees who have had their pensions cut or eliminated, perhaps we should fight for the rights of private employees. Pensions are disappearing as the unions that fought for them disappear - and as right-wing judges appointed by anti-labor politicians let corporations tear up contracts guaranteeing pension rights.

Private employees should have pensions just as public employees do. But they will have to fight for them, just as public employees have. And the most effective way to fight for pensions - and other contractual rights - is to organize.

GREGORY McCOLM

Temple Terrace

Anger Is Misdirected

It amazes me that you think government employees should not have a pension plan because most in the private sector lack one. And that the taxpayers shouldn't have to cover any deficiencies in the fund.

Why you do not show any distain for businesses failing to provide their employees a fair retirement plan is beyond my comprehension. All of our citizens deserve several basic benefits in return for their labor: full coverage health care; a livable wage; and a retirement benefit that would not leave the elderly in the poor house.

Government employees for the most part do not make extravagant wages. In most cases they accept lower wages compared to their peers in the private sector in exchange for a better benefit package.

Your anger is misdirected. You should be angry that politicians play around with the fund.

F. PITTMAN

Tampa

Pension Fund Is Fine

The editorial regarding state employee pensions was interesting for what it did not say.

At no time in the past 25 years and perhaps longer have taxpayers had to cover any pension shortfall. This is in spite of several recessions during that time period. The pension fund has assets that far exceed the pending annual payouts. It would likely take an economic downturn as long as or longer than the Great Depression before the assets of the pension fund would be insufficient to cover expenses.

Consider the following as well. Don't forget the highway patrolman who just arrested the drunk driver that didn't crash into you; the state attorney who prosecuted the child molester; the judge who sentenced him; and the correctional officers who are keeping him and 97,000 other felons out of your kid's bedroom.

D.B. ORR

Avon Park

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