The grim images from Iraq have made it difficult to focus on domestic issues during the presidential campaign. Foreign policy problems can make ordinary citizens feel powerless, which may prevent us from addressing issues that affect us most personally. But one issue that bears attention is the crisis in health care.
Since the Bush administration took office in 2000, the average annual health care premium has more than doubled for Floridians. Most workers were fortunate to receive salary increases of 3 percent last year, while health care premiums increased by more than 13 percent. Worse than the increased cost of health care is the loss of insurance suffered by 223,000 Floridians. Currently, 700,000 children in Florida have no health insurance, while the Legislature solved this problem last year by simply getting rid of waiting lists for the children's health insurance program. The kids are still without health insurance; the only thing missing is accountability for this failure to care for our most vulnerable citizens.
As an employer, I find it is harder each year to absorb double-digit premium increases for my employees. As a psychologist, I see the coverage gaps in our private health insurance system. Kids with Tourette's syndrome, autism, and learning disabilities are often excluded from coverage because treatment for these brain disorders may be termed "not medically necessary." The worst news is the recent review of health care in industrialized countries. The United States ranked first in cost but did not rank first in outcomes in any category.
We are quickly evolving into two Americas, one with adequate health care and one without. The next time our senators and congressmen are asked to spend billions of dollars to create nations overseas, do not be afraid to ask if we might get a better return on that investment by reforming our health care system.
-- Michael T. Smith, Ph.D., Tarpon Springs
Doctors are needed more
Re: Ads criticize doctors' push for amendment, May 11.
It seems that Walter Dartland of the Consumer Federation of the Southeast has his priorities a little out of balance. By limiting attorneys' income in a malpractice suit, he feels the number of lawyers willing to take malpractice cases would be limited. Has he thought of the current situation, where doctors are no longer doing complicated neurological or obstetrical surgery due to frivolous lawsuits and the increase in malpractice premiums, and are in fact leaving the state of Florida to practice? If he checks the statistics he'll find out that more patients need the services of physicians than need the services of attorneys to sue physicians.
I've neither coerced nor tricked more than 800 patients of mine to sign petitions. They know exactly what it means. If the amendment passes, the attorney gets less and the injured patient gets more. Just the way it should be. In fact, surveys across the state show that 75 percent of the population agree with the amendment proposal.
-- David Lubin, M.D., Tampa
Consumers need relief from both sides
Re: Lawyers vs. doctors on malpractice.
Maybe it is me, but isn't it ironic that two of the professional fields that require a great deal of education and training and that pay well are fighting for the well-being of "consumers"? What would be better would be going to the doctor and not waiting 11/2 hours for a "consultation," only to be told to come back a week later for testing and further treatment. What would also be better is an attorney charging $75 per hour, rather than $225.
Both sides have valid arguments; however, the consumer will get it, in the end. Perhaps if doctors did police themselves better and rid their profession of bad physicians, money-hungry attorneys would not file so many torts on instances that should never have happened.
-- David Greene, Tampa
Don't distort Greenspan's position
Re: Greenspan's awakening, editorial, May 12.
Your editorial is a classic distortion by juxtaposing two facts: Mr. Greenspan dislikes deficits, and you dislike tax cuts.
Unfortunately for you, the truth is that Mr. Greenspan dislikes too much spending, and has consistently said that Social Security and other government spending must be curtailed. He has also consistently supported smaller government and the recent tax cuts, and linkage of new programs to funding sources as provided by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings act and its successor laws. Your editorial ignores these facts.
You have been just as consistently against tax cuts, but you have no responsibility for the economy. Your responsibility is to present the news as factually as possible, and present your opinions on the editorial page. By suggesting that Greenspan is supporting your position, you do a great disservice to him and your newspaper by misrepresenting his thoughtful and consistent views.
By the way, the Fed supported the economy after 9/11 through its policies, and that meant temporary deficits. Have you looked at Florida's tax receipts lately? The same increases will be seen by the federal government soon.
-- A. LaMont Shultes, Spring Hill
National security and deficits
Re: Greenspan's awakening, May 12.
While excessive government spending is is definitely a factor in the federal deficit, improving our national security is a major part of it.
Tax cuts "for the rich" certainly are not the culprit. Our rapidly improving economy is proving that allowing more personal income dollars to flow into private commerce is working.
The rich either spend those dollars or invest them, providing jobs and dollars allowing the less fortunate to prosper. Government can never achieve such positive results.
Until our leading newspapers and other media sources start helping to end the war on terror, instead of encouraging the terrorists, we will continue in turmoil in government fiscal policy.
It is time for you to join forces and help restore our country.
-- Robert (Bob) Hagaman, Homosassa
What kind of jobs are they?
Re: Jobs growth makes new stride, May 8.
The article states that new jobs were created in April. What the article fails to show is - what are the wages of these new jobs? Can a head of household support his family with one of these jobs, or is it the typical part-time, fast food/convenience store type of job with no benefits?
-- Jerry Mandera, Spring Hill
Let's go with instant runoff voting
Re: Smarting from 2000, Greens back no one, May 2.
Thank you for covering the first ever Green Party of Florida Nominating Convention in St. Petersburg earlier this month. Your article correctly pointed out that Florida Greens decided by a very narrow margin not to run a presidential candidate in 2004. Does this mean that we Greens are not serious about building a viable third party in Florida and across the United States? No, it means that we're willing to carefully consider the ramifications of our actions as we build a democratic grass-roots political organization that challenges corporate control of the two major parties. It also means that we're willing to work with others whenever we share a common interest.
To this end, we invite Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians and others to join us in removing the so-called "spoiler" effect from Florida politics by supporting a constitutional amendment that requires instant runoff voting be used in all general elections in the state. The language for such an amendment has been drafted, and a PAC is currently being formed. Be part of the solution! Visit www.cirv.org.Nick Manolukas, Sarasota
-- Pathological big business
Did anyone else notice the relationship between James Thorner's article, Mall brawl begins in south Pasco and Seeing the corporation as psychopath reprint from the Wall Street Journal in the May 8 Business Section? Tampa real estate broker James Roberts provides the reader with his opinion of competition, "We'd be perfectly content to drive a stake in everybody else's heart."
The Corporation, a Canadian documentary of everyday behaviors in business corporations, gives the viewers more than enough evidence that Roberts' views are not atypical. A psychiatrist with the FBI states, "In many respects, corporations are the prototypical psychopath."
As an educator, a middle school counselor, I encourage my students to read the newspaper looking for moral and ethical issues for discussion. Thank you for providing material for such a discussion.
-- Barb Alexander, Wesley Chapel
Don't stereotype teens
Re: Tense gathering, May 9.
My name is Dana, and I'm 15. I am what you would consider to be a "goth," and I don't appreciate how you have stereotyped the "goths" and "punks" to be the ones who always cause mayhem. You should really think about it: If the kids are allowed out at night with no supervision, and they act up, then blame their parents. Their parents are the ones to blame for not being more strict with them.
I mean, seriously, downtown St. Petersburg? Isn't that where prostitutes, druggies and hobos seem to gather? The parents must be morons to allow their children there.
My friends and I don't drink nor smoke, and we don't scream at older people who walk by. I get very rude comments made to me at the malls or just walking around in my own neighborhood. I get called "white trash," "freak," etc., and I don't flip out and start screaming. I handle my situations in a formal manner. If they are to have a closed mind, so be it. I think they are pathetic not to be more open about the changes in our society. Sorry, but I don't believe I am white trash. I go to school not to socialize but to get an education. I have goals and high expectations of my life. I plan to go to college and I plan to major in marine biology.
Yes, I wear the black clothes with the bondage straps and chains, and I have burgundy-colored hair and wear eyeliner. But that doesn't mean I am an uneducated teen with behavior problems. Maybe these teens should get help, and other adults need to talk to the parents about how their children are behaving.
Regarding the couple who was afraid to walk by the park because they thought maybe something was going to happen, cross the street or walk the other way. Why make such a big deal? Nothing did happen.
-- Dana Cao, Largo
Bad things can't be overlooked
Out of all the bad news I read in the paper and hear on TV, the thing that disturbs me the most is reading your letters to the editor and seeing all those letters from people who get angry at you for printing the news stories and pictures they don't want to read or see.
Get your heads out of the sand. This wonderful world of ours has bad things that we need to read and see - not just the happy news.
-- John Low, St. Petersburg
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