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Today's Letters: A fable for today: Don't let greed lead to our downfall

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published April 2, 2007

The oil companies, the financial and insurance firms and our property tax officials should take a lesson from one of Aesop's Fables, specifically "The Goose Who Laid the Golden Eggs." For those who do not remember it, here is a refresher:

"Once upon a time there lived an old woman who had a number of hens, ducks and geese. She used to send her little daughter to the meadow every day to take care of the ducks and geese.

"But she had one goose that she never allowed with the others. This one had a little house and yard of its own. It was such a wonderful goose that the old woman was afraid of losing it.

"Each day this goose laid a large golden egg. The woman could hardly wait for the new day to come, she was so eager to get the golden egg.

"At last she said to herself, 'I will kill the goose and get the gold all at once.'

"But when she had killed the goose she found that it was just like all the other geese. In her haste to become rich, she had become poor.

"Moral: Greed destroys the source of good."

So, those companies and officials are hurting us and in doing so are hurting themselves. What ever happened to charging a fair price and making a fair profit? You do not have to make all the money you can.

For those who do not want to listen to a story from a Greek slave, perhaps the following statement will make the point better: "For the love of money is the root of all evil."

Carlos J. DeCisneros, Tampa

On a path to oblivion

I visited the beautiful little city of Safety Harbor recently and happened to notice the glorious old oak tree by the public library. The oak tree is 300 to 500 years old, older than the United States of America. If the oak tree lives for another three centuries it likely will outlive the United States.

While driving through Safety Harbor, Clearwater and Seminole, I happened to notice at least six Hummer H2s driving around. These vehicles look positively ridiculous. Does anyone really need a military vehicle in order to go shopping at the mall or the grocery store?

In addition to the Hummers, there were dozens of other massive SUVs on the road. They all look like dinosaurs to me. I suspect that all of these vanity vehicles will suffer the same fate as the dinosaurs, too.

Has anyone noticed the price of gasoline rising dramatically? Why is gasoline so expensive? Because American consumers are gluttonous and wasteful. All of those SUVs are burning away the world's fossil fuels and America's future at the same time.

At what point will Americans realize that our lifestyle must change? Must the price of gasoline reach $5 or $10 a gallon before the public begins to make sacrifices?

Safety Harbor's ancient oak will likely outlive the United States of America. America's unrestrained appetites will destroy the country.

Wake up, America. We are on the path to oblivion.

David Mathews, Pinellas Park

All about money

While cleaning litter boxes (no symbolism intended), I came across a newspaper article that showed one of several candidates doing a campaign speech.

What struck me was every political gathering I have seen reported contained one element: You had to pay to be there. You have to fill their pockets with money to be allowed to hear what they have to say! These were not $10 tickets either.

Are we going to continue to elect representatives to all levels of government according to how much money they manage to collect? I wonder if each candidate were allotted a specific amount of money to campaign and no more, maybe some people who would like to try to change things could get a chance to do so.

For people who want my vote but say I have to pay dearly to hear what they have to say, they certainly have a lot to learn. Wealthy contributors give much to ensure their way of thinking. We really need a change.

Well, back to cleaning the litter boxes.

Christina Ennist, New Port Richey

I snarl, therefore I am March 27, George Will column

Be slow to anger

George Will eloquently attacks the modern propensity of human beings to show fiery anger and hysterical rage toward each other. And on the same date, in Section B, his theme is brilliantly illustrated by a short news item about two airline passengers traveling first class (first class!) who became furious with each other over inconsiderate behavior (Passenger gets touchy over space in first class).

Will says, "Once upon a time, Americans admired models of self-control, people such as George Washington and Jackie Robinson ... "

And at those words, a small clear memory came to my mind. Many years ago, as a little girl, I was given to temper outbursts over any annoyance. After one of these, my mother made me go to bed. In a few minutes, she came in with an open Bible in her hand and said, "Here are some words I want you to memorize."

I regret that today I recall only a fragment of the verse she indicated, but that fragment has stayed with me all these years (I'm 90). It is to be found in Proverbs 16:32:

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Abigail Ann Martin, Brandon

On youths, prevention over detention March 22, commentary

Extend aid for youth

As a guardian ad litem volunteer I have had several youths from families placed in the Eckerd programs. These programs are well-organized and effective, and all of Nancy Eckerd Hart's points in this commentary are well taken regarding the need to better serve Florida's troubled youth.

In endorsing Hart's points, I would go a step beyond in appealing for more help for our state's youth. In dependency court we also confront many youths who would greatly benefit from the type of self-contained services (education, counseling, enhancing self-sufficiency, etc.) offered by programs like Eckerd's, but unless they become criminal offenders they cannot access them, even though the need is there.

Many are youths who simply have had little or no parenting and have been exposed to violent and abusive situations, just like juvenile offenders. The dependency system makes a noble effort to offer similar kinds of services piecemeal, but some dependent-but-not-yet-criminal children really need to be placed in a similar supportive environment which gives them more longevity with consistent access to available comprehensive services that can render them capable of functioning independently and resisting falling back into counterproductive societal environments.

The state needs to provide and support the creation of similar venues for dependent children with similar needs.

Bill Ackerman, Homosassa

Lower drinking age

Doesn't it seem hypocritical to restrict "adults" from participating in adult behavior when they are given the responsibility of making mature decisions? Once a person turns 18 years old they are considered adults in the eyes of the law - except for one aspect, drinking. One can make the mature decision to marry and not be allowed to drink at his or her very own reception. Or one can take on the responsibility to fight in Iraq and risk his or her life for our country but is still seen as being too immature to enjoy a beer.

I believe that we should lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. Dr. Ruth Engs, a professor of applied health sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington, eloquently said, "Lowering the drinking age would help send the important message that drinking is, in itself, not evidence of maturity ... That responsible consumption for those who choose to drink is evidence of maturity."

I urge you to contact your state senator and representatives and urge them to introduce a bill in favor lowering the alcohol consumption age to 18.

Melissa Rush, Clearwater

A hospital's thanks

On behalf of all of the young people receiving care throughout the All Children's Hospital network, we want to publicly thank all the volunteers who planned, labored, supported, participated in and cooked as well as the guests who enjoyed the wonderful food and fellowship at the March 25 Iron Chef America, Tampa Style, culinary competition and fundraiser.

The Tampa Branch of the All Children's Hospital Guild, which shepherded this first year event from concept to completion, has every right to be proud of their accomplishment for the kids.

All of the net proceeds from this wonderful effort will go toward completion of the new $4-million Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the new All Children's Hospital (due to open in the fall of 2009).

In addition to the volunteers, the 12 sponsors and 100 silent auction donors made this sold-out event a true success.

Everyone came together for this worthy cause in a way that we believe reflects the giving, supportive, loving culture that is becoming typical of the community of caring in the Tampa Bay area.

Catherine Zito, president, Tampa Branch, All Children's Hospital Guild, Tampa; Joel Momberg, executive vice president, All Children's Hospital Foundation, St. Petersburg

[Last modified April 1, 2007, 21:06:13]