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By Times Staff
Published August 5, 2007

President sitting squarely on health care hypocrisy column, Aug. 2

Health care bill must focus on children

David Lazarus' article on the proposed health care reform act catches all the glitzy facts and fails to do the simple math. The House bill proposes to increase the tax amount to $50-billion, which House members say would cover 5-million children. That is a cost per child of $10,000.

This far exceeds the cost of current private health care. It is clear the authors of this bill are using the child sympathy card to hide language in the bill that increases use by citizens approved for the program to people making up to $80,000 a year.

A nice attempt by a few to start the seeds of a national health care program. We easily forget that on the outside, national health care programs look wonderful, until one asks a Canadian how long they waited to see a doctor, or how long that citizen waited for life-saving surgery. They will tell you they most likely came to the United States for the procedure.

Though it is painful to pay annually to an insurance system that allows you the freedom to see any doctor quickly, it is better than increasing the taxes and paying for an inefficient bureaucracy.

Stick to the facts. It will cost us much more for much less service. If you want to save money and provide health care for the kids or the indigent, limit the proposed law to what it was intended for: better care for the children, not to people who can clearly afford private health care.

Juan Vega Jr., St. Petersburg

Insurance industry

Nonrenewal isn't the agent's fault

Many consumers feel betrayed by their insurance agents as they receive notice that their homeowners policy will not be renewed.

They probably do not want to go back to that agent for a replacement policy. People need to know it is not the agent who did not renew the policy, but rather the company itself. In most instances, even the agent has had his or her own policy nonrenewed.

Your agent can provide replacement coverage with another company in most cases. So, please don't punish your agent, but rather have confidence he or she will do the best they can for you under these difficult and trying times.

M. L. Goodwin, Seminole

We need more insurers, not fewer

Supply and demand! Economics 101! The best way to lower prices in a capitalistic economy is with competition. We need more insurance companies writing policies in Florida. The government must get new and existing insurance companies to write policies in this state. That will bring down the cost.

Albert Ouziel, Palm Harbor

No. 1 spot to buy a house? Try here July 25

Positive housing news? Get more excited

I sincerely doubt you'll print this, but you have an obligation to your readers to print not only dog fights, the Dow, murders and negative remarks on the real estate market. Yet on the back page of the Business section, there is a glowing report from Forbes saying the Tampa Bay area is the No. 1 place in which to purchase a home. Why don't you give those of us who have homes on the market something positive to read instead of all the horror that's in the paper every day? Please reprint the article so that those who have given up will not feel like lost souls.

We have homes to sell, priced right, beautiful, with everything people want. Great weather, beaches - you know it all. Give those who live here something to shout about, especially the Realtors. Give it to the front page, where we all begin reading with our morning coffee.

Patrick Jackson, Tarpon Springs

Editor's note: For the record, the June 25 story in question ran on the front page - not the back page - of the Business section. Take a look at the story on our Web site at this address: www.sptimes.com/2007/07/25/Business/No_1_spot_to_buy_a_ho.shtml.

In the fast lane - motorcycle accidents Drive, July 30

Driving while conversing a new danger

"Inattention of other drivers?" You bet! Ever notice how many people are chatting on the phone while they are driving? A legally drunk driver could be safer than drivers concentrating on their phone conversations.

Tom Miller, Clearwater

Inside Baseball, graphic July 30

Fond memories of helpful Rays workers

Although it has been a couple of years since I have been to Tropicana Field, due to my husband's illness and death, I have many warm memories of the guest services there.

When we had season tickets, we got to know the ticket takers and exchanged high-fives when the Rays won. Later, as Len became more handicapped, we needed wheelchair transport.

One hot day, Len became very confused while waiting for me to purchase tickets, but when we got inside, the guest services people brought him water and had him sit for a while before being seated. Soon we got to know them well.

Unfortunately, the Rays stopped this service and we did not know it. So we had purchased tickets.

One of the ladies in guest services maybe the one pictured walked with us to our seats, with Len resting frequently, and even stopped by medical services to make sure he was okay. Later, she checked on us and recommended another gate that was much closer, so I was able to pick him up there.

A few years back, Rays manager (at the time) Larry Rothschild called Len because Len was so upset over the pitching. (What else is new!) Len was, of course, stunned a bit but really felt quite thrilled to be called by the manager. Len was a faithful fan until his death. Many warm memories for me.

Janice Lindstone, Pinellas Park

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[Last modified August 3, 2007, 22:43:50]