"What a piece of work is man... " While the Bard may have had something else in mind, I prefer a more pessimistic take on humanity in general and Americans in particular - Americans who drive Hummers. At the risk of stating the obvious, there is no good reason on God's green Earth to possess one of these behemoths, yet owners deep in denial refuse to wake up and smell the carbon monoxide.
I find it amazing that the real estate agent and the hair salon owner continue to cover their ears and hear no evil. Well, here goes anyway. Yes, Hummers and other SUVs are bad for the environment. They consume more gas and cause more pollution than cars. While we possess only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 25 percent of the world's resources. I know it's tough to toss out old beliefs and join the 21st century, but most people really do agree on what's environmentally correct - and driving a gas-guzzling, pollution-spewing SUV isn't on the list. I must presume that acting like a responsible resident of the planet (we're all downwind or downstream from something) simply would be too inconvenient for these people. Americans seem to think that they should be denied nothing. Their avarice knows no bounds.
While it's fortunate (not to mention rare) that lives were saved by a dentist, SUVs and off-road vehicles do tremendous damage to terrain by destroying vegetation and causing erosion. The "piece of work" that is man needs to have a conscience as part of his standard equipment.
-- Durk A. Gescheidle, Dunedin
It's an ego problem
Re: The view from on high.
I found the Hummer owners to be far more offensive than their vehicles. In certain situations, the Hummer might actually be useful, but from my perspective, schlepping prospective home buyers is not one of them. If Barbara Zaccaria's clients like high-end vehicles, there are a number of SUVs that would fulfill that requirement without sucking up so much gas or polluting the environment as much. Also, is it healthy for a woman of Ms. Zaccaria's age to be jumping out of her SUV? She might break a heel and twist her ankle.
Forgive me if I'm not sympathetic with Margie Pierce's dismay over losing one of her favorite Vail ski resorts. Her acts of common courtesy should not be confused with acts for the common good. We all share responsibility in making the world better. Let's face it, people buy this vehicle because it's an attention getter. It's just another example of our need for excesses. The Hummer is not the problem. The problem is the egos of the people who drive them.
-- Karin Sobelman, Hernando
What about the safety of others?
Re: The view from on high.
The writer of this article forgot one main reason so many of us dislike the Hummer and other large SUVs. While the article touches on safety, it's only the safety of the vehicle's occupant that is mentioned. What about the occupants of the other vehicles that could be part of an accident?
Any normal passenger car is no match for a Hummer's weight and size. Sure, the Hummer is safe. Safe for its occupants, not others on the road. I don't think most Hummer owners consider this fact when purchasing the vehicle.
I think they should be left in the military where they belong. I'd feel safer without them on the roads.
-- Paul Sliwa, St. Petersburg
Just looking silly
Re: The view from on high.
It is too bad that while getting the tax deduction and having their egos stroked by a car salesperson, no one bothers to tell the buyers of the Hummers the truth. You look silly driving down the road! It reminds me of the fable, The Emperor's New Clothes.
And by the way, stay off the telephone while driving!
-- Kathleen Matecki, St. Pete Beach
Supporting the oil sheiks
Re: The view from on high.
Here's your government at work: If a business buys a Hummer that gets 11 miles to the gallon (high test?), it can deduct the full cost of $50,000. If a business buys a hybrid vehicle that gets 50 miles to the gallon (regular), it can deduct only $2,000 or about 10 percent of the vehicle cost.
I think that anyone driving a personal vehicle that gets less than 20 miles to the gallon should be required to fly the Saudi Arabian flag. I am tired of seeing these gas-guzzlers flying the American flag as if they were in a presidential motorcade. Patriotism begins at home, not supporting the Middle East oil sheiks.
-- Tom Ziebold, St. Petersburg
Consumers share blame for job losses
Re: Corporate greed has sent U.S. jobs overseas, letter, Sept. 22.
Here are some questions for consumers pointing at "greedy corporations" for jobs transferred overseas:
1. When voting with their pocketbooks, do U.S. consumers buy a $150 "made in USA" DVD player (built by U.S. workers making more than $10 per hour) or an equivalent unit for $60 (built by Chinese workers making less than $1 per hour)?
2. What happens to companies that insist on selling the U.S.-manufactured products?
3. Have retail prices dramatically decreased as a result of transferring production overseas?
4. Do manufacturers of consumer electronics enjoy huge profit margins?
-- Answers:
1. The $60 Chinese-manufactured DVD (just ask Best Buy, Circuit City or Wal-Mart).
2. They go out of business.
3. Yes.
4. No, they continue to have among the lowest profit margins in the electronics industry.
If U.S. consumers feel the need to blame someone for jobs moving overseas, we need to look in the mirror. Global competition has brought lower prices and created job transfer.
-- Bob Fisher, St. Petersburg
Workers should polish their skills
Re: Experts puzzle: Why are jobs lagging? Sept. 19.
The answer is in the mirror. As long as the flight of manufacturing jobs from the United States to developing countries is blamed on the greed of corporate chiefs, high unemployment rates will continue to plague those without the skills, persistence and education to compete in a changing world.
The simple economic truth is that a fair price for any good or service is that agreed upon by the parties directly involved in the transaction. This is true for used cars, your home and the hourly wages of textile workers. Corporations that ignore this do so at the risk of bankruptcy.
Just as the seller waxes his car and the homeowner applies a fresh coat of paint before selling, workers need to examine and improve their skills relative to current and future demand. The American workers' education and skills are in competition with those of everyone on the planet.
If blame need be applied, let it be to labor unions for neglecting education needs in favor of higher wages and to liberal politicians for trading the economic health of their constituencies for their votes.
Let us all remember that freedom to succeed in this country accompanies the freedom to fail.
-- Kurt Steinmann, St. Petersburg
Stand up to the job slashers
Re: Former Citigroup CEO to lead NYSE in interim, Sept. 22.
In this article it states that John Reed has been credited with building Citicorp into a corporate powerhouse through the 1990s by, among other things, "slashing staff." Without a doubt, most big business presidents and CEOs have been Republicans. This is a typical article telling all of America who is responsible for our losing jobs. The president of the United States is backed by "big business people" such as the Enrons and Halliburtons of the world.
Somehow, since President Bush has become the leader of our country, we have lost lots of jobs. Since he is a big business proponent, he should be able to go to them and ask them to put back the jobs that they slashed. Somehow I do not see this happening. As long as we stand by and let our leaders be bought by big business through donations and lobbyists, we will continue to lose jobs. Come on, America, how long do we stand by and let this continue?
As chairman of the Florida Senate Appropriations subcommittee on criminal justice, I would like to clarify some points in the editorial regarding Department of Corrections substance-abuse funding. It is important to note that the 2003 Florida Legislature, contrary to what was stated in the editorial, increased the department's annual recurring funding for substance-abuse services by $2.6-million in fiscal year 2003-2004. This funding increase will be maintained in subsequent years.
The problem you address in your editorial stems from the fact that in 2002 the Legislature provided $4.5-million in one-time money to fund substance-abuse services for fiscal year 2002-2003. Therefore, as of July 1, that $4.5-million is no longer in the department's budget. The department knew - and its providers should have known - that this was a temporary, one-time increase in funding for those programs.
However, it is unclear to me why the department waited until we were two months into the fiscal year to notify the substance-abuse providers that some of the funding for their contracts would not be available after June 30. Therefore, I have contacted the department to find if the providers were notified, and if they were not, then why.
-- Sen. Victor D. Crist, Florida Senate District 12, Tallahassee
Cat-name controversy
Re: NAACP presses inquiry into deputy's cats' names, Sept. 20.
Our nation is on alert for terrorism. We have more than 120,000 troops deployed in harm's way fighting to preserve our freedoms.
The St. Petersburg chapter of the NAACP "thinks" a deputy named his cats with racially offensive names and is asking the Pinellas County sheriff to reopen an investigation.
Darryl Rouson and the NAACP: As an American, I am offended, and I believe you and your organization should rethink your priorities and direct your proactive energies toward more noble issues.
-- Dale R. Carnell, Redington Shores
Recommendations can hurt
When are you folks down at the Times going to learn that your endorsement of a candidate is the kiss of death? You have no credibility with the electorate in St. Petersburg. Your views on sexual morality, the death penalty, Christian values, civil rights, etc., are so far out of the park they aren't even in left field.
Your endorsement of John McQueen in the City Council race was accompanied by a gratuitous character assassination of incumbent council member Bill Foster. Voters have a right to be skeptical of your views.
-- Jack Vanderbleek, St. Petersburg
Share your opinions
We invite readers to write to us. Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. They can be sent by fax to 727 893-8675 or by e-mail to letters@sptimes.com (no attachments, please).
They should be brief and must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Please include a handwritten signature when possible.
Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be published.
