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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 1, 2008

Issues Still Remain

Labor Day is a day to honor the working men and women of America. Nowadays, the poverty levels in urban areas are scandalous. Many wage-earners cannot find work, and even if they do, incomes are too low to support their families. Inflationary realities across the board have become incredible: gas and energy costs, housing, insurance, taxes, medical and dental care, food, etc. The deterioration of their circumstances has resulted in foreclosures, bankruptcies, more homeless people, ad infinitum.

Working-class Americans need well-paying jobs and a health care system that provides effective treatment at affordable costs. Cheaper housing must materialize if we are to improve the conditions and wellbeing of all working-class citizens.

Future Labor Days should be celebrated with a renewed idealism that puts the working class on the same level of respect and continuity of consideration as the affluent and corporate sectors of our country.

ROBERT B. FLEMING

St. Petersburg

Overlooked Laborers

Labor Day is a holiday set aside to give our nation the opportunity to pause and celebrate the American worker. However, there is one member of the country's workforce that is often overlooked - the construction industry craft professional.

Historically, Labor Day is associated with labor unions, but it is actually a day to honor all workers, regardless of labor affiliation. The Labor Department reports that in 2007 only 13 percent of the workers in the construction industry were members of a labor union. The majority of construction workers - 87 percent - have chosen not to belong to a labor union.

Few industries touch our daily lives in so many meaningful ways, and no part of our environment exists without the sweat, hard work and dedication of the American construction craft professional.

Have a happy Labor Day.

STEVE P. CONA JR.

Tampa

Depression Memories

I grew up during the Great Depression. I stood in bread lines with my dad. I recoil at the prospect of another economic tragedy. On the article "Lessons of the Great Depression" (Commentary, Aug. 24), I must differ with some of author Amity Shlaes' conclusions.

Shlaes pans FDR, a man elected four times to the presidency. Roosevelt inherited a mess from the Republicans. The WPA was created to keep Americans from starving. To say that these emergency programs retarded private enterprise is irresponsible. Private enterprise benefited, then and now.

Regulations are not necessarily bad. Without them flourish greedy, crooked financial institutions. Our airlines are suffering due to deregulation pushed by Ronald Reagan.

It's 2008 and once again a new president will inherit a mess from a Republican administration. Can John McCain solve it? I don't think so. And Barack Obama? With expert help, maybe.

PETER M. PULLARA

Temple Terrace

Housing Still A Mess

As the housing and credit problems continue, the Congress and Federal Reserve Board continue to make efforts to improve these issues - mostly working to pass legislation and create policy that will encourage the homebuyer back into the market. Most analysts agree that the problem starts and ends with the housing market.

However, as an industry insider I can tell you the meat of these actions have failed to produce the desired response. Lenders continue to tighten credit standards and eliminating programs that were profitable and were effectively risk managed for decades prior to the housing boom and bust. Underwriting must return to reasonable assessment of risks and not overreact and thereby escalate the problem further.

SARA NORMANDEAU

Oldsmar

Just Focus On Animals

Regarding "Zoo's Link To Planned Safari Wild Is Murky" (front page, Aug. 23):

The time appears to have arrived for the replacement of Lex Salisbury as the president of our Lowry Park Zoo. His recent dealings with Safari Wild have begun to raise questions about his motives and ethics. While he has done much to improve and promote the zoo in the past, recent decisions and activities have begun to shift the focus of the zoo from animals to rides and retail sales.

I am an annual member at a level which offers the opportunity, occasionally, to see behind the scenes and participate in activities that are not available to daily visitors. In the past two or three years I have become more and more uncomfortable with the direction the zoo seems to be headed. I do not want to see it become another Busch Gardens.

No more rides or retail sales space. Let's keep the focus on animals, their protection and the education of us humans about them.

RICHARD FORMICA

Tampa

Mountain Out Of Molehill

I would like to take issue with several points that you made in your overwrought Aug. 23 editorial "HCC President Lost Her Way."

First of all, the entire incident strikes me as making a mountain from a molehill. You admit that an Atlanta firm was paid well to investigate the bidders and to make sure the bidding process was aboveboard. The deal ultimately did not go through, so what exactly did the college do that was so horrible, other than pursue a public-private partnership of which you clearly disapprove?

Secondly, you cited one study that shows a low graduation rate at the college and you translated that into a sneering comment about "poor academic performance." But a lower graduation rate could just as easily reflect higher academic standards or any of a hundred other factors. Why not check and see how HCC graduates do in the work force or how they compare with other students when they transfer to USF or other state universities?

Third, even if you are convinced that the HCC administration made a serious error in judgment in this instance, your attack on Dr. Gwen Stephenson is far out of proportion when measured against her achievements here.

RICHARD LONG

Temple Terrace

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