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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 12, 2009

Don't Forget Merchants

Funny, we hear so much about the big corporations hurting from this economy yet very little is mentioned about small business owners (though my chiropractor did ask me if I was going to Washington to ask for a bailout for my company). Other than that, not many are calling to ask how I am surviving the recession as a small business owner.

In fact, the opposite has happened. Orders have scarily slowed down online, and locals did not buy recently at a live event - in spite of the locals' discount. The future of my small business rests on you, the people.

It's true that we are buying into what the media is reporting. "Hold onto those purse strings," they tell us. "The big box retailers will make it through this holiday season just fine."

Well, my friends, they might. But if things don't turn around, the backbone of America - small business owners - will slowly and sadly disappear, one by one by the thousands.

BETH BUTLER

Tampa

God's Words Forgotten

Regarding "Tent City Plan Is Under Fire" (Region, Jan. 8):

The story about East Lake Residents, under the leadership of Joanne O'Brien, vice president of the homeowners' association, trying to stop Catholic Charities from building a place to help the homeless and hungry makes me think this lady or folks supporting this action have never been homeless or in want of much.

In my 72 years, at one time I was what one may call homeless and hungry. Seeing stories like this makes me wonder whatever happened to good, old Christian compassion for our fellow man.

We live in a selfish and materialistic world. Many folks today have the attitude that as long as it does not affect me personally, it is another's problem. Seems good folk forget God's words - do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I sincerely pray these good folks never have to do without shelter or food in their lifetimes. If their homes and lives are more precious to them than to see folks helped, shame on them.

GEORGE L. HENSON

Plant City

Very Fuzzy Math

Yet again the poor consumer takes it on the chin or in the pocketbook. Remember when a pound of coffee was an actual pound? You know what happened.

In the last couple of years I have seen the same with "quarts" of strawberries. They used to be sold in those heavy cardboard containers. Now all you can buy are those clear plastic containers labeled a pound but advertised as a quart. In my book, a pound is a pint.

Today I saw a sale on blueberries - two pints for $3. Upon closer inspection, the containers were those tiny, one-cup size.

Is my math fading away? A pint is two cups. Where will it end?

LENORA MOON

Durant

Medicine And Dianetics

For some reason, the rumors, innuendos, blaming and name calling, etc., regarding the death of Jett Travolta remind me of a line from "Alice In Wonderland," which I paraphrase as follows: "They talked of many things, like sailing ships and sealing wax, cabbages and kings."

On the other hand, I have the utmost sympathy for John and Kelly Travolta over the sudden death of their young son because I too have lost an only son. He died after being rear-ended by a speeding drunk here in Florida. This has to be a parent's worst nightmare.

I cannot help but wonder if, like oil and water, "Dianetics" and qualified medical doctors' prescribed medications do not mix.

JOSEPH P. CORELL

Clearwater

Let Team Owners Pay

Why do the taxpayers have to build another baseball stadium for wealthy team owners? The very idea of the public funding these sports stadiums for private enterprise is simply unacceptable.

The team has a stadium. Let them use it.

JOE KNIGHT

Belleair Bluffs

Election Debacle

Regarding "Tragedy, Not Comedy" (Letters, Jan. 8):

The fact you would print a letter regarding the history of Democrats stealing elections is a comedy when one considers what Republicans have done to our country since they stole the presidential election in 2000. It will be a long time before America gets over the misery created as a result of that debacle.

CRAIG CHAMBERLIN

Tampa

Game Faces

Many thanks to the Super Bowl PR group for reminding us local clods to smile and be "helpful" to our visitors. Please remind them to have the Southwest Florida Water Management District tell these visitors we are under a water shortage.

Also, they should drink bottled water, as it's only about $3 per bottle, unless you get it at the stadium, where it's about $6.50.

W.E. CARTER

Riverview

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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