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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 21, 2008

Assigning Responsibility

Regarding Kris DiGiovanni's column "Strolling With Allie" (Commentary, Sept. 14):

In walking her neighborhood, Ms. D is noticing fewer and fewer pizza takeout boxes in the garbage cans, suggesting that many are actually cooking at home more often than ordering takeout. There seems to be less evidence as well of conspicuous consumption, And, of course, there is the state of the housing market.

I can certainly sympathize, as well as empathize, with Ms. D and her husband. I have been there. But to say that the government, the banking industry, and the energy producers have all let us down seems a bit much.

I suggest that Ms. D leaves out a huge group in her remarks: her fellow citizens who took out loans that they couldn't possibly repay, all the while making things worse by maxing out credit cards and acting like there was no tomorrow. I don't know the particulars of Ms. D and her husband's situation, but I do believe that it is somewhat irresponsible to assert that the citizens of this country are blindly led around by the banks, the government and big oil with no responsibility for themselves.

MICHAEL SMITH

Tampa

Can Empathize A Little

Last Sunday's community columnist remarks that she's worried about her financial security and expects employers, government and other institutions to do more to ease her concerns. She longs for the American Dream. Her comments ring true for millions of Floridians, I'm guessing.

Your writer's comments sound familiar to me: I've spent the last 12 years working in the tech sector, including a spell at IBM in the late 1990s. I've also concluded that I'll have to retool to find new work in my field, because it's getting harder to even find contract work these days. Or even interviews.

I also have some friendly advice for Kris DiGiovanni:

If you really believe that your present (or future) security needs will be met because the institutions of American life are in sync with your wishes, then I predict that sleepless nights are going to be your destiny. I also propose that you pray more, because it's going to take a lot of faith to believe that Tallahassee's or Washington's bureaucracies will be any more responsive than the angels above to your plight.

JIM PARKER

Lakeland

Let's Buy American

Regarding "Jabil Circuit Cuts 120 Local Jobs" and "UAW Chief: Lear Jobs Headed To Mexico" (Business, Sept. 12):

The headlines show Jabil cutting 120 local jobs and Lear losing 325 workers with the relocating of their manufacturing facilities from Tampa to Mexico and China.

This loss of employment opportunities to these other countries is absolutely killing our economy. We need these jobs here and our government (federal, state and local) must get serious about keeping work in the USA. In Lear's case the union is sure losing out; maybe they should have worked harder with the company to keep wages lower and maybe some lesser benefits to keep the jobs here, locally.

Everyone must get serious about buying American-made only, supporting local businesses and investing in American opportunities. Also, take your vacation in the USA - now. The hospitality industry needs your support.

JUNE AMBROSE

Plant City

For Change, Clean House

Joseph Brown's column "Change Is Also Needed In Congress" (Commentary, Sept. 14) should be required reading for all voters. He, pardon my pun, hit the nail right on the voter's head. The newly elected president can't change a thing without both houses of Congress. Change needs to start there, and our representatives need to represent our best interests. It's "We the People," not we the Democrats or we the Republicans.

The promise of change occurs in every election. It's an effective buzzword that hooks us, but to see real change we need to clean house. Remember that when you cast your votes.

BONNIE RAIFORD

Seffner

Let's Fix Congress

I think Joseph Brown's article, on how we can change the United States, needs to be spoken louder for all to hear. The majority-Democratic Congress has the power to make changes to this country right now, and they choose not to. While at the polls, America needs to fix the issues with Congress so this country can get back on track.

CAROL CARR

Plant City

Bad Clergy Example

Regarding "Hoping For A Revival" (front page, Sept. 14):

Last Sunday's article on the Without Walls Church left me feeling a bit sad but mostly angry at the very questionable actions of its founders and the publicity they are generating. They are using the legitimate needs of worshipers for their own profit. They do not represent the majority of men and women, Christian or otherwise, who choose a life of service to the Creator.

For every Randy and Paula White there are a thousand clergy whose only desire is to preach the faith and do the work they feel called to do. Their names are known only to friends, family, congregations and God. They feel blessed to make in a year what these people cleared in a month. Their houses of worship are modest buildings or even storefronts. They rarely make the papers except for an occasional honor or the obituaries.

Monsignor Higgins, the two Bell Shoals pastors who recently died and many more are the true witnesses to the power of faith. Do not let these charlatans obscure that fact.

THERESSA PLACKE

Tampa

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