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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 20, 2009

Political Self-Interests

The recent political witch hunt at the Tampa Sports Authority resulted in a good, competent man resigning from the agency he led for 12 years and served for 24. Henry Saavedra had no option but to resign, but the process by which he was forced out should leave all of us asking why and how.

The victim in this debacle is not only Saavedra and the staff who worked with him, but the entire Tampa Bay community. As a taxpayer-supported institution with arguably the highest profile of any facility in Hillsborough County, Raymond James Stadium has been a jewel in the crown of the area many years.

It's beyond time that blind political ambition and the self-interest of the few should stop trumping the community's interest and the careers and lives of the dedicated staff who work for the TSA. Shame on those board members who participated in this farce with their yes votes.

FARRUKH QURAISHI

Tampa

New Tax System Needed

All I want is a fair tax. My neighbor, who bought his home 10 years ago (same size, only older), pays $3,700 a year. We pay over $10,000.

I don't mind paying my fair share as long as everyone else pays theirs. I was one of the unfortunate persons who sold our condo in 2004 and waited two years for our home to be built. So we don't qualify to transfer our homestead. And honestly, I feel if I did it wouldn't be fair to the other people who are assessed far more for the same type home. Our house was also assessed for far more than we paid for it because it took so long to build and, according to the assessor, we had to pay what he thought it was worth, not what we actually paid.

I feel this unfair taxation system keeps many people from relocating to Florida. We are hurting our housing market and being totally unfair to a lot of longtime, if not native, Floridians. It's time Florida assessed the same tax for everyone, so I urge you to vote for the 1.35 percent tax proposal.

CATHERINE HINES

Tampa

Liberals Let Off Hook

Once again your news coverage, by the omission of the story of Sen. Chris Dodd finally owning up to the fact that he inserted the verbiage allowing the AIG bonuses, showed your continued bias by letting Democratic leaders off the hook.

Dodd also was a major receiver of campaign contributions from AIG. In addition, he received a special mortgage from banking interests he was supposed to be overseeing. At the least you should be calling for his ouster as committee chairman, but, no, you have been silent, not even printing a very important story.

BOB STEINER

Valrico

He's No Idol

It was nice to see one of the thieves in Congress forced to confess his part in the AIG mess. I say forced because I believe that Chris Dodd is giving himself up to save someone else, who is even higher up.

If Dodd is reelected to his Senate seat again, then I can only surmise that the people of the Nutmeg State are either as corrupt as their senator or too busy watching "American Idol" to care about what is going on in the real world.

STEVEN C. ATKINSON

Spring Hill

Both Parties To Blame

Democrats and Republicans are equally guilty in the creation of the AIG mess. Both parties claim they didn't know about the bonuses. They are all entrusted and paid to know these things. Blaming each other - how hypocritical.

There is no federal bonus money to withhold, so how about a pay cut for Congress, the executive branch and federal administrators? They haven't done their job, much in the way the AIG leadership team didn't do theirs.

ROSS P. ALANDER

Tampa

Drug Test Lawmakers

Regarding Sen. Mike Bennett's proposal to drug test unemployment benefit recipients: People who were working and then lost their jobs due to no fault of their own did not run the Florida state financial ship up on the rocks. The inept Florida Senate and House were the ones that did that. For that reason we need to start drug testing all Florida state legislators. And we can start with Bennett.

CAPT. JAMES WISNER

Tampa

Doesn't Have Look Yet

Regarding "Icons Share Common Touch" (Views, March 15):

Isn't it just a little premature to be comparing Michelle Obama with Princess Diana? Princess Di had years to work on her reputation.

Just because MO has gone to a school and read to the kids or served lunch does not equate her with Princess Di. And she will have to start buying designer clothing, not just off-the-rack stuff.

RUTH MAHONEY

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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