Re: State finds new wrinkles as contract issue unfolds, Feb. 17, and A continuing education that examines the political ties that bind, Feb. 10.
It's a little surprising that these two columns have not received front-page coverage since they appear to involve corruption at the top levels of Gov. Jeb Bush's administration.
Even more important, they should be an object lesson to those who think that "privatization" is the solution to all problems, including those involving government responsibilities.
The dirty little secret of privatization is that it opens the door to all sorts of political patronage. This usually includes handing over those government functions normally handled by professional state employees to the politically connected. Such privatization by its very nature invites corruption, and at one time in our political history was referred to as the spoils of office.
As for those roughly 470,000 health care professionals who are affected by this outrage, it is suggested that in the long run you will be better served by a cadre of professional government employees than by Gov. Jeb Bush's ideology of "government by privatization."
-- W.G. Marks Jr., Tampa
It doesn't sound optional
Re: CE Broker subscriptions are optional, Feb. 16.
According to the letter sent by Amy M. Jones, of the Florida Department of Health, a subscription to CE Brokers is not necessary to renew my professional license and it is "only optional."
The card that I received from them several weeks ago leads me to think otherwise. It states, and I quote, "Changes will become effective beginning in your next renewal cycle. At that time, only CE hours contained in CE Broker will be allowed in meeting your CE requirements."
Does this sound like an option to anyone? I think it's deliberate obfuscation on their part. Does anyone agree with me?
-- Mary Baker, R.N., St. Petersburg
Lessons in privatization
This is almost too funny. Howard Troxler writes a column (State finds new wrinkles as contract issue unfolds) on doctors and dentists outraged about the strong-arm tactics of a big Bush contributor, which I guess is privatization lesson No.1.
Then in the same day's paper, we have privatization lesson No.2.: Family Continuity, the private sector agency that's supposed to protect neglected and abused kids in Pasco and Pinellas counties, has begun laying off workers, including 29 new hires, telling them to hit the road on the same day these folks completed training for six weeks to become caseworkers.
Even the governor's own Department of Children and Families admits Family Continuity's management is incompetent. Hiring 29 people, training them and then firing them is testimony to that.
Less certain is why the governor thinks privatization is the answer to almost everything.
Part of the answer is in the Troxler column. Investing in the Bush brothers beats the stock market hands down, as you'll see if you follow Troxler's math. It's almost biblical: "He who giveth will be rewarded ten-fold."
Of course, the new manager of the nonprofit works for a company that contributes to Bush.
Maybe that's the answer.
-- John Matthews, Tampa
Keep criminals locked up longer
Re: Placing blame, editorial, Feb. 13.
Yes, the public is outraged that a criminal such as Joseph Smith was out roaming the streets. Yes, the public is shocked that one innocent child was murdered and that her family has suffered unimaginably. Maybe this is the best time for our legislators to take a look at perpetrators of crime and at our judicial system.
Those of us who work in the field of domestic violence see this kind of thing day in, day out. Abusers commit horrendous offenses and are often released on their own recognizance only to terrorize, and sometimes murder, their victims as soon as they get the chance, i.e., Pasco County's Lisa Marie Simpson.
One in 4 women will experience abuse in their lifetime. One in 9 women will be raped at some point in their lifetime. Between 9 and 16 percent of boys in the United States are likely to be molested before they reach adulthood. Some 27,270 people were arrested and charged with rape in the United States in 2001. Between 1993 and 2001, there were 160,396 murders and non-negligent manslaughters of persons age 12 or over reported to the FBI. A weapon was used in 91 percent of these crimes. Youths age 12-15 experienced rape in 2002 at the rate of 2.1 victimizations per 1,000. When is enough enough?
Let's keep these criminals where they belong, locked away for longer periods of time, maybe for 40 years or more (without parole). These perpetrators thrive on anonymity, lawlessness and lack of accountability. Maybe we do need stiffer sentences to keep these demons behind bars and keep the law-abiding citizens and our children safe! I urge you to write to your lawmakers today.
-- Michele Anderson, director, Salvation Army Domestic, Violence Program, Land O Lakes
Avoid simplistic responses to violence
Re: Placing blame, editorial.
The St. Petersburg Times is right in advising state lawmakers who are anxious to change Florida's probation system as a result of the Carlie Brucia murder to just cool it. It's time to go back for a review and refresher on violence, and a good place to begin would be two hours watching Michael Moore's documentary Bowling for Columbine. It is full of inflammatory materials and half-truths and perhaps not good for general consumption. But one thing it does very well is to point out how complex are the causes of violence and how susceptible we have become. And it demands attention when one learns that Japan had 39 gun-related deaths, the United Kingdom had 68, and Canada had 165 in the same year that the United States had 11,127.
National Rifle Association members may attempt to downplay those tragic differences, claiming the numbers need to be adjusted for population, etc., and I agree. But even after making adjustments, the United States' experience with guns is far worse than that of the six major allies Moore compares us with. Still, Moore's message, if I understand it correctly, does not assert that the ready availability of guns is the root cause of our mayhem. In fact, he leaves us dangling.
Does that mean that nothing can be done? No, but what is becoming evident is that tougher sentences for offenders is a "Catch-22." Many families fall into poverty, drugs and crime when fathers and breadwinners are sent to prison. And ultimately, 80 percent of all those offenders return to our neighborhoods - frequently more antisocial than when they entered prison.
Safety and tranquility on our streets, harmony and unity in our world cannot be found, it seems to this observer, in Tallahassee or Washington or any other high-level seat of power without changes in our neighborhoods. Those who would like to turn Carlie Brucia's death into the beginning of something really good can look at the following quote for expert instructions on where to begin:
"If we are to reach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children." - Mahatma Gandhi.
-- Bill Voll, Dunedin
Report cards and FCAT don't add up
My 10-year-old grandson just brought home his report card. He was beaming over his grades, all B's and 1 C. He was retained in 2003 in the third grade, and his one desire currently is to pass from the third grade to the fourth grade in this school year.
Trouble is, along with the "better than average" (B: Good, above average) report card, a letter was delivered relative to the FCAT, which stated that his reading comprehension had not improved since August 2003 and his parents needed a conference with the teacher to discuss that he may fail, yet again, the FCAT.
What kind of ludicrous grading and testing system allows a child to get B's, indicating that he is above average, while indicating in a separate, stand-alone, do or die, test (the FCAT) that the child is "not up to par"? Where are the educators of yore? The ones who would never stand for a system that tells children on one hand, they are above average, and on the other they may get to spend their third year in third grade?
We are not talking about a child who has had no help. He has attended the FCAT summer camp, and is currently enrolled in the FCAT failure, special third-grade class at Bardmoor Elementary. I must be getting old because I have no clue how a report card is no longer an indication of how a child is doing in school. But a Republican governor, with a political agenda, can institute a program of testing that is contrary to the results of the grading system that is supposed to be preparing the child for the next step in education.
When is the FCAT going to take its last victim? When is our education system going to say enough is enough?
Certainly our nation has bad eating habits. Before we criticize the choices made by our students, maybe it would be better to look at what they are offered in the school lunch room. Here are a couple of examples of the main items offered. Combinations of macaroni and cheese with sugary baked beans and corn on the cob; pasta with little sauce, potatoes and corn. Sure is healthy, right? According to the American Diabetic Association this would be basically nothing more than carbohydrates.
Seeing the poor quality of the food they have in the lunch room, I can't blame the kids for eating out of the machines. If it isn't carbohydrate, it is fat.
-- Don Elliott, Tampa
Faith leads her on
Re: At 92, a mother again, Feb. 10.
This is a picture I cannot get out of my head. This unbelievable 92-year-old woman has taken on the care of her six great-great grandchildren because her great-granddaughter was on drugs and is in jail. There cannot be a clearer message to the young people and their lifestyle today. Can you not see the paradox?
The only reason this elderly woman is able to do this is the strength she has received from her deep faith in God, along with the support of the people in her church. If her great-granddaughter had this faith, she would not be where she is today.
Survival has never been easy. There has always been a seamy side of life and what I like to think of as a more wholesome side. I believe that today the balance is way off. I truly believe that our children are the victims, including this great-granddaughter and her six children.
-- Marilyn Dunnigan, Hudson
Breaking up is hard to do
Now that Ken and Barbie have split up, Mattel should produce a "Divorced Barbie" doll that comes with all of Ken's things!
-- Bob Dalzell, St. Petersburg
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