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U.S. travel is an expensive hassle

Overseas visitors want red carpet back, column Jan. 24

No we do not! We like to be treated as near equals and as allies should be treated. The travel industry is partially correct in laying part of the blame at your government's door. The U.S. Embassy in London charges $2.25 per minute for its allies to speak to them about visas. I held a Florida driver license for 12 years, then had it revoked because I am not a U.S. citizen. Now I must apply for a paper one at $22 every time I visit, which is costly and time-consuming.

To get a six-month visa, my wife and I have to travel to London and present ourselves at a face-to-face interview lasting about 30 minutes for about $600 in travel costs, two days of our time, plus $280 each for the visa - if authorized. We now rely on the visa- waiver program, which is free but restricts our visit to 90 days. No longer do we come here twice a year. We come once and spend the other 90-day holiday in Europe, which is visitor-friendly. We are part of the "17 percent overseas visitors drop" along with three other British retiree couples we know who now winter on the Mediterranean rather than Florida.

Angus Strachan, Westhill, Scotland

Oil companies have it both ways 

Fill tanks, express thanks Jan. 24

I have waited over a year for the price of oil, and gasoline, to decrease, and at last it has happened to make the business news. When the price of oil was climbing, the oil and gas companies cited the need to gather cash up front to pay for the new higher-priced oil, and within days, if not minutes, the new higher price of the oil was reflected at the pump.

Now, when the price of oil is dropping, it is taking weeks, if not months, for the price at the pump to drop, citing the need to sell existing stocks of oil bought at higher prices. Looks like the oil and gas companies can have their cake and eat it, too, while the consumer gets the crumbs.

As an uninformed, disinterested, incompetent consumer, I now know how Big Oil managed historically high profits while crying about the high price of oil. And how to maintain those profits during decreasing cost of its product.

The way the companies have marked up and down their consumer prices has always been this way. Immediate increase to the consumer when the price is going up and delay the decrease to the consumer when the price is going down. But who is going to quibble about $5-billion or $6-billion of profit?

John Edwards, Pinellas Park

No more special deals for airlines 

Airline service sputters Jan. 10

Your recent article about the airlines was on the mark in terms of their poor customer service, but missed a few key points. Not only have the airlines had more delays and lost luggage, they have had fare hikes of 11 percent in 2006 alone.

The carriers have a history of fighting airport expansion anywhere it is not to their exclusive benefit, and especially if expansion might improve competitive prospects for new, low-cost airlines. Now some are even seeking to eliminate competitors by simply gobbling them up witness all the recent speculation about the airlines trying to merge with, or acquire one another, reducing consumer-friendly competition and service options.

Higher prices, ever-poorer customer service - just what we would expect from an increasingly monopolistic industry with a sense of entitlement. Enough is enough. No more sweetheart deals for the airlines. The government, and consumers, need to start demanding competition and should refuse any more special deals until consumers see better service and lower prices.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines

Extra fees add up at dealerships 

Help us buy a car - please!, column Jan. 22

Your column was right on. But also under the all-important "price in the window category," the $399 to $599 "processing fee" should be listed. It could be put under the bloated fee for the "environmental protection coating" (wax job) and the door-edge guards for an additional $599 that they stick onto the new cars, or perhaps the $299 stick-on pinstripe.

One other thing you did not mention. Some dealerships have from three to as many as eight salespeople outside in a shaded area smoking, waiting for the fish (potential customers) to come in. My wife is afraid to face these guys, who she calls vultures. In most cases, they are overbearing and some are obnoxious. It's just easier to stay out of these dealerships.

Mike Pepe, Spring Hill

It's not all about entitlements  

Bernanke to lawmakers: Times a wasting Jan. 19

I read with interest the recent article about Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, who warned of the potential rise in cost of entitlement programs that the baby boomers may soon cause when they retire.

However, he failed to mention other causes of equal or greater concern because of the cost of the Iraq war, our lopsided trade with China, the revenues being lost because of outsourcing businesses and American jobs. Nor did he mention our open borders allowing drug dealers to market their good in America without paying taxes and the spending of Social Security revenues for other purposes for many years.

As a true and loyal agent of the existing and growing elite government and corporate partnership, he naturally advocates "fixing" Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, which really means cutting their benefits and raising their cost to American citizens. Their trickle-down philosophy increases the power of the wealthy and causes the middle class to join the poverty class. When are we going to wise up and throw the rascal out?

Nick Kayatas, Largo

Invest in 'ripoff' insurance and oil

One way to get your money back

Many mutual fund companies offer funds specializing in particular commercial and industry areas. These are often called "Selects." My investment approach has been to ask myself which of these "Selects" is ripping me off the most on a day-to-day basis.

So it was pretty obvious that the energy and insurance and financial industries were doing me the most harm as an individual. So, those are the types of select or industry-specific mutual funds that I bought. Did this pay off? What do you think? Who is making the most money?

John Miller, Tampa

Listing of area stocks

Ameristeel worth a spot in listings

As a director of Gerdau Ameristeel, I was very surprised this company is not listed under "Tampa Bay Ticker" in your business section. This is a major international company, a very large Florida employer and a strong community supporter.

I was advised that this has been discussed by Gerdau management with your business editor and the reason given for the non-listing was that this was not an American company.

It is a Canadian-registered company as a result of a reverse takeover a few years ago by a U.S. company and has a majority interest held by a Brazilian company. I would have thought that this would be a reason for celebrating a modern international entity that is based in your geographic area rather than the posture which you have taken.

Spencer Lanthier, Toronto

Editor's note: We will be happy to take another look at Gerdau's listing in the business section.

Insurance ads can skip humor 

Gecko's rivals are green with envy Jan. 14

I think the Geico advertising commercials are ridiculous. If I needed insurance, after watching their commercials, it would be the last company I would choose. I hardly think it is worthy of a column in your newspaper.

The (Geico ads featuring) cavemen and geckos are the worst, and the celebrity gigs are a joke.

Marilyn Bunzel, Weeki Wachee

Keep your eye on Bain Capital 

Juicy stake awaits OSI trio Jan. 19

Bless the OSI boys at Outback Steakhouse. Along with Hooters and Raymond James, they put Tampa Bay on the map. Let them cash their checks. The publicity value alone from these companies is worth twice the price for our area. Plus, we need more Fortune magazine "big-bucks" names in our neighborhood. Unless the bubble bursts.

But we might curse the Bain Capital boys. Those pesky corporate gobblers. Not all of their west central Florida investments are going so well.

Going private, then public, every couple of years does not guarantee success. Caveat emptor. Remember the savings-and-loan industry: Free pens for every $100,000 uninsured savings account. The taxpayers paid for years. This could be the "Bain" of our existence. SEC: Are you watching?

Randall C. Perry, St. Petersburg

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[Last modified January 27, 2007, 22:29:26]