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Brown-Waite's promises naive

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published January 11, 2007

Re: Social Security belongs to working Americans guest column, Jan. 8

Ginny Brown-Waite performs her annual legislative karaoke by introducing legislation protecting Social Security benefits for America's seniors. That's equivalent to introducing legislation requiring the sun to come up in the east seven days a week.

Ms. Brown-Waite states, "If you work hard, and play by the rules, you get ahead. That is the American way." Since 1983 Americans have been doing just that, working hard, and playing by the rules legislated via Ronald Reagan's 1983 Social Security reform legislation. American agreed to excess Social Security taxation, now 12.4 percent of the first $97,500 of wages earned annually, believing the excess funds would be used as intended -- to offset future funding needs created by retiring baby boomers. Twenty-plus years later, after touring the bureau of public debt in Parkersburg, W.Va., President Bush said; "There is no Social Security trust fund, just IOUs that I saw first-hand, that future generations will pay." It's empty!

Ms. Brown-Waite, you are either naive, intentionally deceiving, a political panderer, factually challenged, or a combination of all. Your legislation only continues a process that mandates exchanging IOUs for excess trust fund dollars, effectively turning American workers' own dollars against them, and their families, by creating future obligations. Those IOUs, or instruments of financial pain on future generations, now total more than $2-trillion dollars and are increasing at the rate of $200-billion plus annually.

It's time our congresswoman adapts the American way by introducing lockbox legislation to protect excess Social Security trust fund contributions, and begins making the trust fund whole. With all due respect, Ms. Brown-Waite, you wouldn't need to pander to seniors if legislation to protect the monies intended to fund their checks were enacted. Hardworking, play-by-the-rules Americans deserve something better than a drawer full of IOUs for their financial sacrifices, and you have an obligation to protect the people's money.

Of course, that would mean giving up the political way and embracing the American way, a tough challenge for any politician in today's world.

Jim Gries, Homosassa

Still room on bus to Tallahassee

Thanks to the newspapers and fliers you all probably know the Brookridge ad hoc legislative committee is hosting a bus trip on the first day of the special Legislative session on insurance in Tallahassee Tuesday. But what is your excuse for not calling to reserve a seat?

There is still time for reservations. Let the Legislature know how much you want super reform of the insurance system. The trip is being coordinated with the Homeowners Against Citizens trip and leaves Brookridge's parking lot at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Call Pat at 596-8267. Three county legislators and two Brookridge board members are coming, but if they don't have more sign up it will be canceled Saturday.

Don't be lulled into thinking the Legislature will institute meaningful reform without a crowd and a lot of phone calls. Cancel your plans for that day and show up for the most important issue this state is facing.

Karen Doulin, Brooksville

Re: Hickory Hill will improve the area Jan. 7 letter to the editor

Hickory Hill is all about the profit

The only dream Bob Sierra, Robert Thomas and friends have is dollar signs dancing in their heads. The plan is so pedestrian, as similar golf course communities have been built across Florida. There is nothing unique about it other than the scale in the amount of profit it will bring the landowner and developer.

Take a drive down to New Tampa on Bruce B. Downs on Saturday night at 8 p.m. - not even rush hour - it's a traffic nightmare. May I suggest, if that is what Mr. Bradley dreams of, he should think about relocating there.

What is unique is the rural lifestyle the residents of Spring Lake now enjoy - rolling hills, abundant wildlife, no traffic, just peace and quiet. It's easy to be for something if it's 10 or 15 miles away; you are not going to have to put up with years of construction, noise, light pollution, etc.

Are the people and elected officials of Hernando County so shortsighted as to the long-term impact such developments will have on our county? What will be the real cost? Think of the impact on our county services, schools, roads and taxes. All I have seen offered by the developer is a token amount of what the impact will cost all the residents of Hernando County.

And what of our water supply? I guess some of us won't "get it" until they turn on the tap one day and nothing comes out. Swiftmud is now talking about more watering restrictions, while our lakes, ponds and rivers are drying up. And do you think the increase in sinkholes on the east side of the county has nothing to do with the aquifer being recharged on the west side?

And where's the need? A somewhat similar project along U.S. 41 (where it belongs) is not exactly setting record housing starts that I've heard of.

I am asking that the County Commission not approve Sierra Properties' proposed development of Hickory Hill. Turn it down completely, not an approval with concessions, but turned down flat, over and out. It is simply not needed in Hernando County.

Dream? What dream? It is more of a nightmare to those of us who actually live in the Spring Lake area.

Richard Whalen, Spring Lake

[Last modified January 11, 2007, 07:05:21]