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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2009

Disgusted With Capital 'D'

It's insanity. I'm disgusted with our government, the financial "gurus," banks, Daschle, Geithner, Killefer, Rangel, Blago, Richardson, Fuld, Thain, Madoff, Wells Fargo, B of A, to name just a few. When will it end?

And now we have the infamous "stimulus package," which is a gigantic Christmas wish list that will melt the North Pole and drive Santa into cardiac arrest. Parks, cars, neon lights, ACORN, contraceptives - give me a break. Some stimulus.

This so-called "recession-killing package" convinces me that Nancy Pelosi continues her leadership role as the village idiot. Democrats have the power, but Republicans have the influence. Nice change, Dems. "Spend" has been changed to "SPEND." Where's the creativity from our elected officials?

Get money into people's hands: tax incentives, car incentives, mortgage moratoriums. Forget the pet projects. People need and want the perception that the economic environment is improving. Oh, and one more thing: With all of these talented people in Washington (including the crooks), no one thought to write one line that said, "No bonuses if you receive taxpayer money."

Be glad that you have a job; approximately 9 percent of us do not. As taxpayers, are we gullible, stupid or do not care? Or are we going to hold these people accountable?

KURT SCHULZE

Lutz

Position A Waste

Why do we need a new government position called "chief performance officer?"

Public Law 95-452, which was enacted in 1978, requires federal departments and agencies to establish independent offices of inspector general. These offices are staffed with highly qualified investigators, auditors, evaluators and inspectors. Their mission is to assure that their departments and agencies are functioning efficiently, economically and effectively and that there is no fraud, waste or abuse occurring in their programs or operations.

The inspector generals are required to report semiannually to Congress, which has oversight over their operations. Consequently, establishing this position of chief performance officer, perhaps with a staff of its own, seems like a waste in itself.

PAUL M. CARREN

Sun City Center

The Worst Of Times

Workers of America are the largest market in the world, producing more than we consume. Markets are now drying up because the cost of living is increasing faster than a worker's ability to earn, and their quest to attain the American dream is causing them to suffer mortgage failure and loss of credit, triggering action by businesses to eliminate jobs.

Money managers and captains of industries have illusions of their own, including fraud. Payouts by industries to their officials have been exorbitant and include high-priced jet aircraft. Excessive spending to promote the sale of items is beyond comprehension, especially the cost of advertisements displayed during the Super Bowl and extravagant outlays for sports tournaments. Money for this is gained by the sale of goods workers produce on fixed incomes and minimum wages.

The irresponsibility of managers increasing prices and the inability of workers to alter the price of goods are the causes of the system breaking down. I would advise our representatives in Washington to pay the stimulus money to the workers, who seem to have already earned it, and watch the economy improve by itself.

This country is in worse shape than I've seen it in my lifetime, and that's a span of 97 years, which includes 1929. The buck stops here.

HARTLEY STEEVES

Tampa

Helping Homeowners

Here is a simple way to deal with the catastrophic problems we face with the subprime mortgage foreclosure crisis:

Instead of "rewarding" people who got into these disastrous deals, the feds could set up an agency to buy mortgages on owner-occupied homes that are upside-down, paying the lenders 90 percent of the value of the security (appraised value), as long as the mortgage is for no more than $150,000.

They will be better off than if they spend money in foreclosure and sell the property to a shark for 25 cents on the $1.

The agency could re-write the defaulted mortgages to a principal amount that includes what's past due so the borrowers start out "current," re-set interest at a best available 30-year fixed rate, plus 1 percent (right now about 6 percent) and do negative amortization so that the payment is the same as the initial payment when the subprime started.

Balloon the new mortgage so it is due in five to eight years. If we get out of this soon enough, by then the value of the home will have appreciated so the mortgage will no longer be upside-down, and the owner will have further incentive to stay.

Homes will not have sat vacant all that time, courts will not have drowned in foreclosure actions and the economy will have had a chance to get back on its feet.

Finally, if we want to limit government involvement, just sell re-written mortgages to banks that were bailed out for the principal amount of each mortgage.

ROB HOSKINS

Safety Harbor

Put Out To Pasture

Being a longtime State Farm property and auto insurance client, to read that State Farm "Florida" is pulling out on property clients to cherry pick in other markets (i.e., auto policies) wreaks of dishonesty.

The mother ship, "State Farm" is very profitable, and to claim that a small subsidiary, State Farm "Florida" is underfunded is ridiculous.

The insurance commissioner should tell State Farm to take all their insurance products and my premiums and leave for good.

My auto insurance premiums will be goingto either that witty gecko at GEICOor the stylish checkout girl Flo at Progressive from this day forward.

I say "Hasta la vista" to State Farm.

JOHN "MATT" FIELD

Lithia

Happy Customer

Stunned, amazed, thrilled and excited - these were all emotions I felt upon opening up the Trib last Saturday and finding a copy of the New Testament inside.

Many times my husband and I thought we would not renew our subscription because of the liberal leanings we so often have noticed. But this surprise find has given life to Mother Trib for another year in our home.

What a wonderful, timely placement of the testament, with the Super Bowl and all the visitors here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

LAURIE BENTLEY

Tampa

It's How You Play

For several years our family has gotten together to enjoy food and fun and the Super Bowl. When I was asked Monday whether my team won, I told them no, but the game reminded me of a quote that I remember seeing on a wall when I was a young girl:

"For when the one Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game."

JEAN STILLWELL

Tampa

Closely Watching Europe

I hope our politicians, especially Congress and the president, are paying attention to what's going on in Europe ("Protests A Sign Of Surging Anger In Europe," Feb. 2, Nation World").

These are people like us, tired of the corrupt politicians, overpaid CEOs, the crumbling economy, the mortgage crisis, homelessness and hunger. I could go on, but I think that's a pretty good picture of what are dealing with here.

But take note Congress and Mr. President: If real change isn't coming soon, a lot of people are going to be rioting just like they are in Europe. It is building and gaining momentum.

So I say as an American: Get your act together, or what's taking place in other parts of the world is going to be happening right here in the good old USA.

People are going to start demanding change, and they may not be as civil about it as they have been so far.

GREGORY W. DAVIS

Tampa

JOIN DISCUSSION

The Tribune welcomes letters and e-mails from readers. The text should be original and no longer than 150 words. By making a submission, you agree the Tribune may edit the letter for length and clarity, and publish it in any medium.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Mail to: P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Or e-mail without attachments: tribletters@tampatrib.com.

Also, read and participate in the Tribune editorial board's blog, "Thinking Out Loud," at www.tboblogs.com/index.php/thinkoutloud/categories....

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