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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 1, 2008

A Refreshing Change
Thank you for a very deserving article on the James A. Haley VA facility by Lindsay Peterson ("Trauma And Teamwork: VA Hospital Leads Way In Treatment," Oct. 25).

What a pleasant experience to finally hear a positive view of the great work and service this hospital performs efficiently with an upbeat attitude. No doubt there are areas of concern and some complaints with the facility, but what health care unit doesn't experience these?

I have been going to the Tampa VA hospital a number of years now for my health-care needs and have only the greatest of compliments regarding the excellent, cheerful and caring service provided by all those I've seen. It is refreshing to have someone acknowledge a deserving effort by a dedicated staff.

The many negative things written regarding VA facilities throughout the county seem to have cast a shadow of gloom over the system. Peterson's piece points to the fine care the VA is providing.

BRUCE H. GRABERT

Sun City Center

The Primate Platform

We've been in Florida six years. I was somewhat shocked when I read the Tribune was supporting John McCain. After the endorsement, I started reading the political stories more closely to determine if the reporting was slanted towards the McCain stance.

I was pretty disgusted when I read the Oct 26 letters to the editor, especially the one in which the wife has a student loan and they're better off than eight years ago (obviously, they don't have any money in the stock market!)

How about printing letters from people who have been hit by job losses or foreclosures? How about printing that Florida has one of the highest jobless rates in the nation, along with one of the highest foreclosure rates? Is that better than eight years ago?

And let's not forget that the Republicans were in control of the House and Senate for six years. Where were they then? I guess they were like the three monkeys: hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

ARISTA NOLFF

Brooksville

Endorsement By Default

I find it interesting that the Trib has endorsed John McCain for president when the Chicago Tribune, for the first time, has endorsed a Democrat, Barack Obama, for the office.

I recall that in 2004 the Tampa Trib withheld endorsing anyone, and my gut tells me they would have liked to have done the same this time and only endorsed McCain to avoid looking irrelevant. They just could not bring themselves to endorse a Democrat. They had to endorse someone, so McCain won by default.

Of course, this is just my opinion, but I would have liked to have been a mouse in the corner during those deliberations. I guess this decision may be a metaphor for how irrelevant the Trib has become in a time of change.

NEIL WILLIAMSON

Tampa

Wall Street Extravagance

Regarding "Government's Help Needed To Save Free Market" (The Economist Magazine, Views, Oct. 25):

For the most part I agree with the argument that the federal government is needed to save the free market. But I do take issue with the judgment advanced that the government needs to avoid "populist gestures" like banning bonuses and limiting executive pay.

Again, according to The Economist, these measures are needed in order to retain good people in companies that badly need them. Really? The same good people whose management led to the current financial and economic crises? Please excuse me while I climb back up on my turnip cart.

Is there really a serious risk that too many good and talented people are going to leave these very well-paying jobs (well-paying, even without bonuses and with reduced executive compensation)? Where will they go? Will they go to medical school to become doctors? Will they return to law school to become ambulance chasing lawyers? I seriously doubt it. I think they'll find that even with a more modest compensation package, they're still way outpacing others, even the most highly educated, who earn much more modest incomes in these other fields, and work just as hard or harder.

Add to this the perception and the symbolism of Wall Street continuing its extravagant practices while average taxpayers foot the bill, and you have a truly revolting prospect. If these companies take public money, they need to accept public scrutiny and control of their extravagant tendencies. I say no bonuses and reduce executive pay until they're back on their own feet, spending their own money.

MICHAEL URBAS

Temple Terrace

Family Plan

I am becoming more and more angry about the need for, and workings of, the $700 billion bailout. Not only has a cogent explanation of need not been put forth, but I guess I've also been asleep and not seen a cohesive and comprehensive plan on how we'll spend it and what results it will produce.

It seems like we are piecemealing buckets of dollars to the same banks that created this mess. And, oh yes, hiring some of their "experts" to manage it.

Now, with a little over 305 million U.S. citizens and $700 billion, why not just give every man, woman and child some money and show a real economic stimulus?

ROD STERNARD

Land O' Lakes

Amendment A Setback

I hope that people reading this paper are voting "no" on Amendment 2! There are no benefits, only setbacks. One, it would take away existing benefits to all unmarried partners in Florida. Two, it would hurt seniors by making them choose between health and government benefits.

Third, there are already sections in the statute that ban same-sex marriage - this is piling on! Fourth, this would let the government intrude even more into our personal lives, regulating our relationships. And last but certainly not least, there would be dramatic consequences from this amendment, like taking away job benefits, and it could be used as a defense in domestic violence cases as in other states that have passed similar amendments.

Whether or not you're for "one man, one woman," you certainly must be for the right to love that "one" freely, without interference from the government.

MOLLY JACOBS

Tampa

Amendment 2 Agenda

We don't know why Amendment 2 has the look and smell of a non-gay agenda. It isn't just about the one-liner "same-sex" marriage - this is true.

This amendment hurts me personally because I am openly opposed to the continued injustices and misinformation of homophobia.

The fact is, it is not about being gay or gay-friendly or anything more than taking away freedoms from everyday people.

I have no words to describe how it feels to not recognize that my civil union attended by family, friends and co-workers was not a fact for anybody but myself, my wife and our ministers. I was there. But what is true is it doesn't matter when deciding on voting on Amendment 2.

Amendment 2 isn't just about defining marriage. It's for you to be informed and read and reread because it is "already illegal." This is unfortunate but true.

SHIRLEY RHODES

Clearwater

A Congressional Pass

In reference to your political cartoon on the editorial page Oct. 28, shouldn't the cartoon start with "Will Anyone Be Punished For Congressional Mismanagement?" Congressional mismanagement and their unwillingness to maintain oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac and the mortgage industry created a mentality of "anything goes" to get people into homes they could not afford.

Of course, Wall Street is a guilty party, but none of this would have happened if Congress had done its job in the first place. Why has the media given Congress a pass?

TOM DULANEY

Tarpon Springs

A Yes For No

I just read the letter about using "NONE OF THE ABOVE" on ballots (Letter of the Day, Oct. 28). I'm one of those who researches candidates and amendments for every election going back 40 years. I've always believed that "no vote" should be an option for every item on the ballot.

There are so many times that I truly don't have an opinion about the item that I'm supposed to vote on. Leaving it blank can be construed as a mistake. Probably the hardest determination to make involves the judges. Because I'm not directly involved in the judicial system, how can I possibly make an educated decision concerning a judge?

I think that "NO VOTE" would truly be an eye-opener after an election. It would be the "winner" many times.

MARDI ORCHARD

Tampa

E-Mail 'Reprehensible'

Regarding "GOP Chairman Apologizes For E-Mail" (Oct. 31):

Mr. Storck's excuse that he sent the e-mail, written by volunteer Ron Whitley, after only skimming it makes it more reprehensible. As chairman of the party, it is Storck's responsibility to make sure he is thoroughly knowledgeable of what he approves to be sent under his name.

With regard to Whitley, his letter is so inflammatory, racist and misinformed that it only denotes his lack of knowledge and inherent prejudices against people of color. Would Whitley have written that letter, and Storck approved it, had Sen. Obama been white? I doubt it.

To describe Obama as inexperienced and unaccomplished merely indicates that these Hillsborough Republican Party officials do not even bother to read Obama's biography.

YVONNE Q. STOWBRIDGE

Tampa

Look In The Mirror

Americans should not expect positive change with the election of either McCain or Obama.

Most of our problems today directly relate to the federal government exceeding its authority under the Constitution. The McBama candidates don't understand that, nor do the Republicrats in Congress.

Unfortunately, American citizens are the most entertained and least informed people in any developed nation. We only have ourselves to blame for the current mess.

BARBARA OWENS

Brandon

Let Dan Go

In these tough economic times, should you decide to lay off more people, I recommend Dan Ruth.

GERALD BOISEN

Port Richey

Can't Change Vote

While early voting may be of benefit to many, it becomes an irrevocable decision. Now in the light of late revelations by the press and public the option to change your mind is no longer an option.

JOHN DAVIDSON

Wesley Chapel

A Look Ahead

While the emphasis of the media has been on the race for the White House, the importance of the Congressional races has been largely overlooked. Should the Democrats win a majority in both the House and the Senate, as most of the polls are showing will occur, voters may not have to wait very long to express their grave misgivings.

With Obama, Reid and Pelosi in charge of the executive and legislative branches of government, with an opportunity to perhaps appoint a liberal justice or two to the Supreme Court in the next four years, we may see unprecedented spending, a vast array of new entitlements and court decisions that will change the cultural landscape for generations to come.

EARL A. MYERS JR.

Tampa

Reverse This Wrong

An example of outsourcing and how widespread it is:

"Xpitax, a software company in Braintree, Mass., that provides tax-return outsourcing to American accounting firms, said it charges those firms flat fees of $75 to $110 to process a return in India, depending on the complexity and date of submission. The accountants, in turn, still charge their own clients the usual fees, ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars a return, said Glen Keenan, vice president for business development at Xpitax. He would not say how much Xpitax paid its 80 workers in India."

Not only large corporations are guilty. Here's how 80 Americans who paid Social Security, income tax, etc., lost their jobs. The greedy company charged their clients the same as if an American had done the work. Our politicians have to pass laws to stop and reverse this.

JOHN VLASEK

Riverside

Candidate Responds

Throughout my campaign I have posed one question to voters: Do you believe that the same politicians who put us into this financial mess are the ones who can lead us out of it?

The numbers aren't pretty. Next year, our state will face an estimated $3.5 billion budget gap. Now, more than ever, we need real leadership in Tallahassee.

My opponent in Senate District 11 is often praised for his ability to bring home the bacon. Where some see political skill cultivated after 14 years in the Legislature, I see irresponsibility. There is no room for pork-barrel spending in our state budget.

Professional politicians have pushed our state in the wrong direction. As your senator, my priorities will be to reduce wasteful spending and streamline bureaucracy; bring every cent we send to Washington, D.C., back to Florida and put that money into our classrooms; and solve the homeowners' insurance crisis by reforming Citizens Corp. and bringing private insurers back into the market.

Changing the culture in Tallahassee won't be easy. As a combat-wounded veteran, I've never backed down from a fight.

FRED TAYLOR

New Port Richey

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