Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Today's Letters: Florida sales tax should replace current property tax

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published April 16, 2007

Why can't we be taxed as end users? Each of us would fairly pay the same rates of taxes on our purchases. Our food isn't taxed, so that's not a concern. I pay taxes on alcohol, but it isn't a necessity so it would be my choice to indulge and spend that extra money.

I love the state of Florida. Like most of us, I was drawn down here by the warm climate. It certainly wasn't the wages or job prospects.

Let's unite to eliminate the property taxes altogether. Does anyone actually think that with more discretionary income we won't be purchasing local goods and services? Do you think that an extra 2.5 percent in sales tax will discourage the snowbirds from coming down and enjoying our fantastic beaches?

The answer is an overwhelming No. Let's get realistic before we turn Florida into an oasis for the superrich where the everyday laborer can't afford to live.

Let's have an equitable tax!

Richard Burgess, Land O'Lakes

Feeling left out

The Senate's property tax relief plan with respect to the portability of the Save Our Homes tax cap is just not fair.

Just over a year ago, I moved from a starter house in Brandon that we lived in since 1998. I paid about $1,200 a year in taxes at that address. We saved meticulously for a long time to be able to afford a nice upgrade to our home.

Last year, we found a place in Valrico that was quiet and safe for our three young children. The new house cost about double the price we sold our starter house for, and my tax bill went up to a whopping $8,000 a year.

If anyone needs property tax relief it is my family, but with the current Senate plan I would get none. Our taxes went up almost 700 percent and I don't get any relief? That just doesn't seem like a very good plan.

Please fight to make the Save Our Homes portability also retroactive, because I believe it is totally unfair to the people who moved in the past few years. It creates a significant class of disadvantaged people who have been working hard to be able to afford a nice home.

Shawn Berg, Valrico

Click, shop, evade taxes of $2-billion April 13, editorial

Snowbird suffering

In your editorial regarding reducing property taxes, you say "no one is even trying" to collect the Internet sales taxes even though this would provide $2-billion to help with our ever-increasing tax burden. This is another example of our politicians taking the easy way out.

Why take the time to collect these taxes when they can easily stick it to us snowbirds and tourists? Talk about inequity: I pay property tax of $8,000 while my neighbor only pays $2,560 for the same style townhouse, and the new tax plans just don't include us.

I am not allowed to vote. This is taxation without representation, just plain illogical and unfair. Is there no help?

If the snowbirds decide to fly to more hospitable wintering grounds, just watch the effect on the property market. If you think it's bad now, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Mike Hetherington, St. Petersburg

It's over - but let's be friends April 8, story

A mediator's role

In the article on collaborative divorce, the writer states that "many (divorces) go to mediation, where an arbitrator stays neutral while everyone else takes sides."

This is misleading, as the role of an arbitrator is quite different from that of a mediator. A mediator is a true neutral third party who facilitates negotiation between the disputing parties, whereas an arbitrator acts as a judge, making a legally binding decision on the dispute at hand.

Florida State Supreme Court mediators are trained to foster negotiations in all areas related to divorce, including child support, visitation, division of assets and alimony, just to name a few. A mediated divorce is usually less acrimonious and less costly than a litigated one, and issues are resolved prior to getting in front of the judge.

As a Florida State Supreme Court certified mediator, I often tell clients they may not get what they want, but they will get something they can live with, a true win-win. That sounds like a collaborative divorce.

Diane McSpiritt, St. Petersburg

Always speak up

There is a valuable lesson to be learned from the Don Imus fiasco. It can be stated simply: Silence is not golden!

In his comprehensive account of the phenomenon of prejudice, Dr. Gordon W. Allport, a recognized authority on the subject, warns that we must always respond to every expression of prejudice. Polish jokes, anti-Semitic slurs, racial remarks focusing on African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and others must be rejected even when it makes us uncomfortable.

We have seen what happens from a failure to respond. There have been genocides and the ultimate in the Holocaust. Even the victims of anti-Semitism have sometimes attempted to overlook anti-Semitism and pretend that it did not exist.

We must follow Dr. Allport's warning: "Silence is not golden." This is an appropriate credo to be adopted by all of us.

Norman N. Gross, Ph.D., president, PRIMER (Promoting Responsibility In Middle East Reporting), Palm Harbor

Court turns against itself April 11, story

Ethics overlooked

If Judge Charles J. Kahn Jr. was an officer in the military, he would be demoted, if not discharged. His pay, benefits and possibly his retirement would be at risk.

The deceit of the legal system apparently begins at the head of the monster: Judge Kahn teaches ethics! We have judges who believe the legal system is meant for others but not themselves.

It's understandable how attorneys can commit fraud and ignore all ethics guidelines outlined in Florida statutes without fear of discipline.

Your honor, what happened to judges being leaders of society?

Marie Jackson, Largo

Local control of school calendars fails April 11, story

Put the students first

Will someone please sit down with the lobbyists and tourist industry representatives and explain to them how a calendar works? If students must be in school 180 days, starting later won't make the summer "longer" for the students. The school year will simply run later into the year. Start in early August, get out in May. Start in late August or September, get out in June.

No one is "taking away" the students' summer by starting the school year early in August. Those who understand how the school year works can see the value of starting early: Exams can be taken before winter break, students can take advantage of college summer sessions (which typically begin in May), and more instructional time will be available prior to the high-stakes testing that occurs in March.

Let's do what's best for our children, not what's best for huge corporations.

Molly Schaaf, Seminole

Disney goes awry April 10, letter

An inclusive Disney

Somehow I get the feeling that the letter writer would not object to Walt Disney World's allowing anybody else (read: heterosexual couples) to use the park's function facilities. Does the writer believe these marriages are conducted in the middle of the park? I doubt any of these marriages or commitment ceremonies are conducted in full view of the public.

But I, for one, would encourage children to be exposed to all types of loving relationships. The park is, and should be, all-inclusive. The message Disney is sending is a good one: Everybody deserves to be respected and I applaud Disney's decision.

Katherine Crowell, Lutz

Legislator's e-mail criticized as "racist" April 13, story

Where's the racism?

You got to be kidding me. State Rep. Don Brown's e-mail was racist? Since when is telling the truth racism? (The e-mail said, "Don't forget to pay your taxes - 12-million illegal aliens are depending on you!")

Illegal immigrants in this country are a drain on our social system. Many work under the table and pay no taxes to begin with. Of those who file (using illegally obtained Social Security numbers) many often pay virtually nothing anyway.

Their kids get free education. They get free medical care in our emergency rooms. Yet they broke dozens of our laws to be here. So explain to me again how that e-mail could have been racist?

Vilmar Tavares, Spring Hill

[Last modified April 15, 2007, 21:25:10]