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Bush not to blame for everything

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published January 31, 2007

Re: Middle class tax burden is too much, letter by Margaret Hyde, Jan. 30, and Our helpers need help as middle class slips, Diane Steinle column, Jan. 21

I guess it is all in your perspective. Or as a friend recently told me, "Truth is different for everyone."

I just read the letter from Margaret Hyde. I did not even think of President Bush when I read Diane Steinle's column about the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center.

Perhaps it is because I belong to a woman's group that has been supporting the center every month for several years. Most of the people we hear about who are in need are not what you would consider middle class. They are people who, for various reasons, need help, especially women with children and no fathers to support them emotionally or financially.

I keep hearing people say that President Bush is giving tax breaks only to the rich. I don't know about everyone else's situation, but I can say that in the six years he has been in office, my household has always gotten back tax money. In the eight years Bill Clinton was in office, we always paid more.

I have no doubt that Karen Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center, finds living in Florida difficult. I, too, lived in Colorado and made much more money than I am making now. That was 20 years ago. Florida salaries have never been as high as in other parts of the country. Now add the soaring rates to buy a home or rent an apartment and you do have a big problem. However, I'm not sure how to blame President Bush for real estate prices soaring. Most people have loved making lots of money.

Everything today is more expensive, but we also have a lot of expensive "toys" that we never had in the past. Not everyone needs a cell phone that takes pictures and allows you Web access or 900 channels of cable TV.

As far as the Safety Harbor center goes, it is a great center and the people are wonderful. There are many volunteers who help purely out of the desire to help someone in need.

If Ms. Hyde wants to do something positive about the economic system, perhaps she could see where to volunteer at the center and make a significant difference in someone's life.

Finally, blaming President Bush for everything that goes wrong in the country is very dangerous. It keeps us from taking responsibility for our own lives and the decisions we make.

But for everyone who hates President Bush, don't worry. Congress is now run by the Democrats and I am sure they will fix everything.

Debbie Lewis, Oldsmar

Her students learned respect 

Re: A lifetime of teaching ends, story, Jan. 30

Dorothy Thompson was a teacher I loved to hate while I was attending Clearwater Comprehensive Junior High School. But looking back, I have to admire her love for African-American history and the battles she fought for equality.

One thing I most respected about her was that in her quest for equality, she was not prejudiced against white people. She treated all of her students equally.

She was interested in both black and white people, understanding how far the black people had come and the great obstacles they had overcome, and that they should be proud of their accomplishments.

She did not hold the white people of today responsible for the inequities from decades ago.

She did not teach black children that white people hate them just because of the color of their skin. She taught us to respect each other as individuals.

Dorothy Thompson is a teacher I will never forget. She was tough, and at times I did not think she was fair, but it was never about race.

I am glad her sister is going to continue her museum.

I know how proud she was of her collection, and now as an adult I realize how valuable it is.

Pamela Fuller, Clearwater

How is house arrest justified? 

Re: For sex offer, house arrest, story, Jan. 12

Are there not Florida state guidelines in place for repeat sexual offenders to serve jail time? I personally know someone who is serving a life prison sentence for lewd and lascivious acts on a minor younger than 16.

How do these cases differ?

How can one act result in house arrest and one act receive a life sentence?

Reviewing William Forte's Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offender/Predator flier, his conviction states, "Lewd or lascivious conduct on a victim under 16 years old by offender 18 years or older; F.S. 800.04(6)(b)." How does this language differ?

Mr. Forte is free to resume his life. How long until he again acts on his tendencies?

This sentence is an outrage to the Dunedin community, Our Lady of Lourdes Church and school, and the Pinellas County judicial system.

Kimberly Z. Madley, Oldsmar

Workers did great job on roadway

I would like to commend the Largo Parks Department or whomever is responsible for the beautification of Central Park Drive.

They've done a wonderful job of sprucing up the street.

It's a big improvement.

My only hope is that the Largo Middle School students who frequent that road don't vandalize it.

Cynthia M. Varga, Largo

[Last modified January 31, 2007, 07:05:11]