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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2009

'User' Tax A Remedy

Jump-starting the economy should not be as difficult as it seems. Most economists agree that the mortgage crisis is one cause, if not the main one. A one-cent increase in the state or county sales tax could be a sure remedy.

The tax increase could be split, with one half going to health care and one half to housing.

The revenue generated for housing could be used to purchase the glut of homes now on the market and resold to low-income and middle-class families at affordable rates based on their income. This would remove abandoned homes, put families in homes they can afford and stabilize the real estate market. As soon as the overabundance of homes are sold, the construction of new homes will kick back in, creating new jobs and more tax revenue.

While no one applauds new taxes, this could be considered a user tax, with the least harmful effect to most people. The initial funds could be raised through bonds and would be paid back with the monthly mortgages.

Our elected officials seem ready and willing to build new stadiums for millionaires to play in but cannot seem to address the real issues. I would gladly pay an extra one percent knowing over time everyone would benefit. Is this too easy, or am I going insane?

GENE SHIELDS

Dover

Full Of Pork

The economic recovery plan looks less like stimulus and more like agenda. Obama's plan mirrors his campaign platform. The stimulus plan should include no programs that need to be funded in future years and no balancing of school, municipal or state budgets for the same reason. The plan should be limited to one-time appropriations.

Obama has promised a deficit in excess of $1 trillion for at least the next several years. With the promised conclusion of our military involvement, there should be a "peace dividend" available to pay for some of this stimulus plan.

Obama has promised no pork or earmarks. The plan itself is pork and earmarks, on a larger scale.

BOB KENISON

Tampa

Art Imitating Art

I noted with interest the article about the "fish mural" on the outside of the business owned by Herb Quintero of Clearwater ("Clearwater Officials, Mural Owner's Battle Continues," Jan. 6). Vice Mayor George Cretekos seemed to have a handle on the situation when he said, "You have to reward creativity sometimes."

I suggest the chamber of commerce and city management take a good look at what is going on here. They should drive down to Lake Placid and look at the great numbers of murals painted all over the city. They are beautiful. When visitors come we always take them there and walk the streets, looking at the dozens of murals.

If the area where Quintero had his mural painted is a "blighted area," they may be able to turn that negative into a real positive by encouraging others to imitate him. Could they become another Lake Placid in an effort to beautify their city? I hope so.

HOWARD JOHNSON

Sebring

Bird-Brained Idea

Regarding "Spending Cuts Threaten Bay's Key Wildlife Refuge" (Jan. 5):

It is either sad or funny, so I will choose to be amused. Unemployment is soaring. People's savings and retirement funds are in shambles. Houses are in foreclosure, and people are in the streets. And this front-page article is a plea for more taxpayer money to protect birds and turtles on Egmont Key?

Anyone who has frequented the island over the past decade or two realizes it will soon be reclaimed by the gulf anyway. But what the heck, let's just keep throwing hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars literally to the birds.

Funny, really funny.

DAN RICHARDS

Tampa

Good Work, But ...

Twice in the past week there were articles in the Trib about students picking up trash in two Plant City parks. Three cheers for a job well done. However, it appears as a black mark against the Plant City Parks Department.

The parks department personnel do an excellent job maintaining these two parks. I think the students could have found something better to do with their time.

RALPH AMBROSE

Plant City

Unite For Obama

It doesn't matter if you like Barack Obama or not. He is our president, and we all should give him our support. Give him a fair chance to do the great job I expect of him.

Don't forget he is inheriting all these problems and pressures of the economy, wars, etc. That was not his doing. So let's stand together and help the new guy.

FRANK PEPPACENO

Sun City Center

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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