Today's Letters: The American dream is turning into a nightmare

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 29, 2007

I used to have a strong belief in the American dream. Work hard, save money and do what is right and you'll succeed, right? Wrong!

Twenty years ago I opened a small business in Tampa. The business grew from a 720-square-foot store to two stores (one in Pasco and one in Hillsborough County). By working hard and adding some real estate holdings, I felt I wouldn't have to worry about my retirement in 20 years.

I closed my Tampa store in 2001 because rents were going up disproportionately to sales. Since I owned my building in Pasco, I transferred all of my inventory there. But over the last four years my insurance (as is the case for most Floridians) has doubled and doubled again. My property had its appraisal value double each year during the boom, and I went from paying $500 to $3, 000 in taxes on unimproved land that I cannot sell for anything close to the appraised value.

Since I'm a small business owner I don't have the luxury of a great health insurance plan for my partner or myself and we've seen premiums escalate by 20 to 40 percent per year over the last six years! I read editorials about how Social Security (a system I've paid into for more than 30 years) may not be around when I do retire.

Thus, I've come to the conclusion that the American dream is dead because of lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels. The electorate seems to be more concerned about knowing the names of contestants on American Idol than how they are being raped by their government at all levels. We have a government of lobby whores (on both sides of the aisle) who are controlled by special interests and could not care less about the average American despite their flowery speeches.

As the old statement goes: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." I challenge all of you to turn off your reality programs and get informed. Otherwise, don't complain when you become part of the underclass created by politicians who have become rich at your expense.

Mike Matteo, Tampa

Tax cuts

Aim at extras

We all agree that taxes must be lowered and assessments on homes brought down to a realistic level. However, we cannot agree where the cuts will be in services.

My suggestion is to first cut those areas that were added when the cities and counties had the huge windfall of taxes in the last two years. It is the same as managing your home budget. If you have a large increase in income and add amenities to your living, those would be the first to go when your income decreased.

Our libraries and recreation centers were up and running well in 2001 and there is no reason why they cannot continue to do so now.

Perhaps we need to ask for more volunteers to help in those areas. Many seniors are looking for areas in which to volunteer. Students are also willing to do community service through volunteering in our libraries and recreation centers.

Georgia N. Pettibone, Clearwater

Find the fat

I find it very interesting that the counties and cities are now talking about cutting jobs and services to their customers, the taxpayers. The tax illusion, much like the homeowner's insurance illusion, is political psychobabble.

The counties and cities have gotten a windfall in the last several years when property values skyrocketed. Now they're trying to use fear to justify their cuts. As we know, government has an insatiable appetite to spend. Why can't they have an audit to find the "fat"? Then incorporate a zero-based budgeting plan on each department to justify expenditures just like any other corporate entity.

I also don't see any signs of cutting administrative perks or salaries. Business must do that when they are experiencing some shortfall. Why can't the politicians do likewise? It's not their money, it's ours, the taxpayers' money. Come on, politicians, do the right thing!

Tom DuLaney, Tarpon Springs

Grisly it's not 

City to cut 50 jobs, spending June 23, story

This story refers to the "grisly impact of the state's mandated budget cuts."

Come on. Grisly is a car-bombing in Iraq. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker being forced to watch his obese child take a little liposuction is not the same. Laying off 50 government workers and eliminating 20 unfilled jobs is trimming fat, not blowing up human beings.

Look, if Mayor Baker and the budget guys on the City Council are hurting so badly about the loss of a few jobs after years of infusions of cash from this ridiculously unfair tax system of ours, they should roll back all city employees' salaries by 10 percent and they can re-hire the victims of these "grisly" cuts.

Making your fat kid go on a diet is about as horrible as, well, watching Grizzly Adams reruns.

No carnage, just a balanced diet (and budget), folks.

Gary Smith, St. Petersburg

Bravo to Baker

I applaud St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker for having the political courage to make the necessary tough decisions on budget cuts, until such time as financial stability is restored to the city.

Rather than acting like most politicians, placating many for political purposes while solving little in the long run, he has set a sound financial course regardless of opposition, while fully maintaining and supporting the two most important city services: the police and firefighters.

While city services many residents have become reliant upon may be trimmed or eliminated, I believe we ought to support Mayor Baker and follow his lead. The mayor can make any necessary adjustments as the city moves toward financial stability with his direction.

Ken Hebbel, Seminole

Brochure overkill

Our local leaders are wringing their hands, worried over what to cut out of their budgets. Here's a suggestion: The other day, I received a 12-page (plus front and back covers), full color brochure from the Pinellas County Utilities. It touts how safe and wonderful our water supply is. It also features a color photograph of all of our county commissioners.

I have no idea how much this brochure cost to produce and mail, but I feel certain it exceeded several employees' annual salaries, and was completely a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Lynn Vandergrift, Clearwater

Support is there 

Support for tax referendum slow to emerge June 23, story

According to the Times, it's easy to see who opposes the proposal to reduce real estate taxes in Florida: cities, counties, unions, the sheriffs and fire departments. It's not as easy to see who supports it.

Well, the Times, if it is really interested in knowing who supports the referendum, might try interviewing a few of the people who will benefit from it. Just ask anyone paying high real estate taxes now. Ask them if they like the taxes and want to keep paying them. Or ask people who are trying to sell their homes now. Ask them if the tax and insurance problems have any effect on their ability to sell.

Surely you have employees who purchased a home in Florida since 2000. Ask them how much they enjoy the tax burden and whether or not they support lowering those taxes. Just ask around, you'll learn who supports the referendum.

Bill Boyd, Apollo Beach

A generous nation 

Americans' giving hits a new high June 25, story

This article says that "... in philanthropic giving as a percentage of gross domestic product, the U.S. ranked first at 1.7 percent. No. 2 Britain gave 0.73 percent, while France, with a 0.14 percent rate, trailed such countries as South Africa, Singapore, Turkey and Germany."

Now, that's something we can be proud of in this country. That should have been a headline on the front page, but evidently editors thought it more important to write about the hanging sentence of Ali Hassan al-Majid.

Good things still happen in this country. Let's celebrate that.

Stanley Shaver, St. Petersburg

Inspiring feat 

A global adventurer June 28

That was a great front page picture, caption and graphic Thursday on young Barrington Irving's astounding around-the-world flight in a single-engine plane.

Irving should be an inspiration to all, especially our youth. I would like to see him receive additional attention from the national media. Thank you again for giving him front-page attention.

Kirk Jones, Tampa

[Last modified June 28, 2007, 22:35:54]