Letters to the Editors

We can trust Gov. Bush to use our taxes wisely

Re: McBride for governor, Oct. 20.

I thought I'd read it all but upon reading that the Times recommends McBride over Bush, I found I'd struck the mother lode of all irresponsible journalism.

It is simply incredible that the Times makes this recommendation yet out of 15 total paragraphs in the article, it spends nine paragraphs talking about Bush, and four paragraphs talking about McBride (in not one of which there was anything that provided concrete information on McBride's platform).

The Times ends up recommending McBride on the hope and a prayer that he will soon provide more information. Isn't that so typically liberal: all form, no substance. It's all about feelings, isn't it?

Yet in Gov. Bush we have a man who had a platform four years ago and stuck to it. We now have some measure of school accountability, we have a way to measure student performance (not liked by all, but necessary), we have a governor who promised to toe the line on the budget and has done so (ranked as the second-most fiscally responsible of all 50 governors).

When you get right down to it, that's the kind of person we want in office -- one who is as careful at spending taxpayer money as we are spending our own. Should the class size amendment pass (heaven forbid) I have more faith in Gov. Bush's ability to rein in spending, force cuts in other programs, and, in general, exercise great care with my dollar rather than a person like McBride who would open the floodgates of spending.
-- Vilmar Tavares, Spring Hill

A puzzling recommendation

Re: McBride for governor.

How could you, in good conscience, recommend Bill McBride over Jeb Bush? In your own comparison of the two candidates, you stated, "Bush's intelligence and energy are unquestioned, as is the sincerity of his commitment to improving Florida's systems of education and social services." Then you describe McBride: "Unlike Bush, McBride is a political novice, and his inexperience sometimes shows in his incomplete or injudicious public comments."

You also state that Bush's embrace of the status quo is more than the typical defensiveness of an incumbent governor. However, in another article you describe Bush's achievements in education as follows: "... Bush's education spending has rebounded. The 5.3 percent one-year increase, which amounts to $160 per student after inflation, is bigger than any single-year increase under Bush's predecessor, the late Gov. Lawton Chiles. His four-year increase is bigger than either of Chiles' terms. ... A congressional report this month found Florida one of only four states with increased school funding this year."

You further stated, "The evidence shows that minorities have fared relatively well under One Florida's alternative to race-based policies in university admissions and government contracts." And all this was done without a tax increase; in fact, we enjoyed a slight decrease in our Florida intangibles tax. Some status quo!

On the other hand, Bill McBride only offers the usual liberal government "give-away programs," which could add up to as much as $29-billion. And if we could afford all these programs, the only way he will pay for them is through increased taxes.
-- McBride over Bush -- some choice!
John Goberis, Sun City Center

Bush knows there's still work to do

Re: McBride for governor.

I would like to reply to the McBride endorsement in the Oct. 20 paper. First of all, how dare you to restrict our governor to 250 words to reply to your very lengthy endorsement. Second, I have seen no indication that any of the second paragraph contains a particle of truth. Bush knows very well that there is much room for improvement. However, the state is definitely not in shambles.

Many of Bill McBride's expressed views have merit, but, he does not appear to have the slightest idea how to carry them out. His solution seems to be "roll up my sleeves and sit down at a table." The residents of this state deserve better. Regardless of who is governor, it is necessary to work within the current fiscal restraints to properly govern our state.

Many improvements have occurred during Bush's first term. He is being criticized for not making the improvements fast enough. However, a reckless approach by a governor owned by the NEA and the trial lawyers would only serve to return us to the failed policies of the past.
-- Robert E. Hagaman, Homosassa

Governor distorts school spending

Kudos to the Times for exposing, yet again, the half truths of Jeb Bush 's claims of giving $3-billion to education during his term as governor. His claims can be disproved right here in Pinellas County where two consecutive years of cuts in personnel, programs and materials belie the governor's assertion that he has given more money to public schools than any governor in Florida's history.

Half truth No. 1 concerns where the money has gone. It has not gone to enhance and improve our public schools as the governor would like us to believe. The fact is that it has gone to keep pace with growth and inflation in our state -- and, because of skyrocketing insurance costs, in many cases it has not even been able to do that.

Half truth No. 2 concerns where the money has come from. The governor wants to take credit for all $3-billion. The fact is that about two-thirds of that has come from rising local property taxes and surpluses in the state retirement system. New state funding accounts for the other one-third. That state contribution to Pinellas County constitutes a net $2 decrease in per pupil funding during the Bush administration.
-- Rob McMahon, president, Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, Largo

Bush's has accomplished much

As the election draws near, I feel compelled to raise an important issue regarding Gov. Jeb Bush 's campaign coverage. Gov. Bush has an impressive record that repeatedly goes unrecognized by the biased media. As a concerned conservative, I would like to share some of our governor's accomplishments during the last four years.

Our governor vetoed $1-billion in budget line items, ensuring fiscal responsibility with Florida's tax dollars. He has led the effort to bring Florida's reserves up to $2.7-billion, an increase of over 100 percent since the beginning of his administration.

Over the past four years, Gov. Bush has cut the tax burden on Florida's taxpayers by reducing taxes for a cumulative total of $6-billion. State intangible taxes on personal income are the lowest they have been since 1992.

School property taxes have been reduced by $414-million annually, benefiting 3.7-million homeowners.

My contention is that we should all recognize that Gov. Bush will never allow the Florida taxpayers' rights to be violated. Over the last four years, he and the Republican Legislature have increased services for Florida's veterans. Gov. Bush signed a bill increasing property tax exemptions for partially disabled veterans from $500 to $5,000. The Bush-Brogan administration has also secured 180 acres of state land to expand Florida's existing national cemetery and $15-million from Congress for a new national cemetery in South Florida.

To find additional facts regarding Gov. Bush's accomplishments, stop by your local Republican election office or log on to: www.jeb.org or www.myflorida.com.
-- Joan Atkins, Palm Harbor

A too-negative GOP

Re: Negative political ads.

What makes the Republicans think their negative ads are going to help them hit the jackpot? They may be mistaken and their ads will backfire on them. It is impossible to listen to a program without getting bombarded with negative ads, one after another, which can be very tiresome.

That kind of tactic sometimes works the other way. When Bob Shevin was running against Bob Graham for governor, he used the same tactics -- negative ads -- and he lost. Feeding the homeless with all that money would help their cause more. So, wake up, Republicans, and use your money to better advantage.
-- Judith M. Stevens, Clearwater

Cigarette tax is problematic

Re: Bill McBride 's cigarette tax ad.

Bill McBride's most recent television ad promises that the only tax he'll raise to support his programs is a hefty cigarette tax. Now I'm all in favor of raising taxes on cigarettes if such revenue were to go to smoking-related health care costs. Or if the ultimate goal of raising such taxes was to discourage cigarette smoking altogether.

But if our educational system is to rely on cigarette taxes, doesn't that mean that we are going to have to depend on current smokers to keep on smoking? And wouldn't it also be incumbent upon us to cultivate new generations of smokers to continue to fund Bill McBride's programs in the future?

Whose big idea was this anyway? Philip Morris'?
-- Denise Robinson, Hudson

Our schools have not fared well

As a parent, I watched with great interest the gubernatorial debate that took place. I was amazed that Jeb Bush , the man who called himself "the education governor," expressed pride in our current school system. As a parent with a child in public school, I can tell you that I have seen firsthand the desperation of the dedicated teachers over the lack of funds, size of the classes and what they see as a bleak future. I have witnessed the pleas of these educators to the parents for school supplies and volunteers. I can remember the fear the parents and teachers felt if the additional local property tax was not passed so that schools could receive more funding.

Where is the lottery money that was promised? Will we allow Gov. Bush to erase a four-year dismal performance by espousing false accomplishments and last-minute, self-serving promises?

Those of us who know the truth must get out and vote. Bill McBride knows our priorities. We need a governor who respects our intelligence and ability to decipher the truth. Let us not be manipulated by a smooth delivery and the word "taxes" to induce fear and get votes.
-- M. David Shapiro, Sarasota

Desperate and unfair campaign tactics

I have received fliers in the mail by the Republican Party of Florida, which are an attempt to unfairly smear candidate Bill McBride by Jeb Bush and Company. I find it disgusting that Jeb Bush will stoop so low.

In the debates and in personal appearances, he gives the illusion of being Mr. Squeaky Clean, who does everything above board and morally correct.

This is a man who will do most anything legal to be elected, as he is trying so desperately to destroy the Bill McBride campaign by suggesting through innuendo that McBride is not telling the truth. When one has to go through the semantics of tearing another person down to elevate oneself, he is nothing more than an unworthy candidate, and should not be considered for the next Florida governor.

Just to set the record straight, I am neither Democrat nor Republican. I am an independent voter who believes in fair play and honesty.
-- Nelson M. Powell, Tampa

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