Today's Letters: Voters need a new party

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 10, 2007

The Democrats have caved yet again in approving the administration's eavesdropping law. Why should we waste our votes on this ineffective and fearful political party? The Republicans are expected to sell our liberties down the drain for their personal gain. We thought the Democrats were different. They are not. Hillary Clinton proves this by saying she will continue to accept money from all lobbyists. She has no shame or common sense at all.

The war in Iraq rages on. The incompetence of our military in safeguarding our weapons, which we paid for and sent to Iraq, is astounding. Our troops continue to be killed and maimed for an ineffectual Iraq government that goes on a monthlong vacation. With all the problems confronting our great nation, our own Congress goes on vacation for a month.

We are watching the destruction of a Constitution and Bill of Rights that have served us well for more than 200 years.

Where is the new political party that cares about this nation and its previous freedoms? We desperately need something new and different.

Richard W. Madden, Tarpon Springs

Weak Democrats

I couldn't help but shake my head in disgust as I read that our Democratic Congress had given in to President Bush's demands and "revised" the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) rules to allow the administration to conduct warrantless eavesdropping without any oversight.

Admittedly, the final bill was a compromise, but the Democrats had made a good case for why the law didn't need revision at all, and how this would place too much power in the hands of a single branch of government. I guess the Democrats didn't want to look "weak on terror," but now they just look weak.

The Democrats should grow a spine and do what needs to be done.

Robert Freeland, Riverview

Let's get rid of this do-nothing Congress

Are you satisfied with the direction America is headed? Are you satisfied that our "do-nothing" Congress goes on a monthlong vacation while we wait and watch our soldiers die in George W. Bush's war?

As elections get closer, all the people need to do is change Congress: Vote against incumbents. Our "do-nothing" Congress gave the Bush-Cheney regime the power to abuse the Constitution.

We, as a democratic nation, have to change our government's mentality. In order to do this, we have to change the people who are in power. All the complaining about our elected officials is meaningless. We have to change these people.

Vote against incumbents of all parties, and this applies to all levels of government.

Leslie H. Burdick, Inverness

State's voter rolls shrinking Aug. 6, story

Is it apathy?

I was somewhat confused by Monday's article about our state's loss of voters. I thought it was because the people running for office don't do anything they say they are going to do, so people are not bothering to vote.

When people are elected, I think they should have a trial period or some system so that if they don't live up to their promises, they go look for another job. Is tarring and feathering still legal?

I have not seen a break in my taxes, my insurance has gone up and a lot of teachers I know are looking for a job.

The letter in Monday's paper (Lies, deception and greed have eroded public trust) hit the nail on the head.

Richard Tracy, Crystal Beach

Welcome home, reservist: You're fired Aug. 7, commentary

Out in the cold again

There are those among us who believe in the "might is right" philosophy. Those "patriots" call for more troops to be sent into battle, but where are they when "Johnny comes marching home again"?

Are they supporting them on their return, when the weary soldiers find life completely different from the one they left: no home, no job and, in some cases, no family?

The Uniformed Service Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) was supposed to have protected members of the National Guard and Reserves (veterans, now) from job loss, or loss of job benefits. But now the burden is on the ex-soldier to prove that the loss of his job was solely because of military service, and no other reason.

With loopholes like this, those who fought for us are being left out in the cold once again. And where are those people who ask us to "support the troops," now that the troops need the help?

Bill Brasfield, St. Petersburg

Welcome home, reservist: You're fired Aug. 7, commentary

Boycott is in order

Once again the Bush administration continues to fail to support our troops when it counts the most.

Returning veterans do not deserve to be treated as third-class citizens by these companies, their employers.

We need to boycott these companies to protest their lack of patriotism and hold them accountable. Our veterans have sacrificed many years of their lives, and that warrants our support.

Stephen Sarnoff, Clearwater

Credit card swipe gets new meaning Aug. 4, editorial

Greedy companies

Boy, the Times sure got it right when it called the practices of the credit card companies "deceptive tricks and traps."

The problem is that these companies have powerful and influential lobbyists who deal with politicians who are panting for their generous contributions. So don't expect to see any meaningful results on Sen. Carl Levin's bill any time soon.

Like a lot of people, I have been the victim of some of the tricks you mention. Not too long ago, after a trip overseas, I mailed a credit card payment before its due date only to learn on my next statement that I had incurred a late payment which resulted in a fine and interest charges. When I asked the credit card company for an explanation, I was told that it is not when I mail the check that matters or when they receive it but when those funds are credited to their account.

Good luck with the proposed legislation. I'm sure that, if passed, those greedy people will find a loophole or a sneaky way around it to continue enriching themselves at the expense of needy and helpless individuals.

Humberto Calderon, Tampa

Credit card swipe gets new meaning Aug. 4, editorial

Another trick

Here's another devilish little gambit at least one credit card company is using to stick it to us. I was just informed by Capital One Bank that some terms have changed and if I decide to turn them down, my card will be canceled next month.

And, by the way, I will "forfeit any rewards already earned." I happen to have earned around 55,000 "rewards" which can be used for airline tickets or many other things. I wonder how many people with high rewards accounts are likely to say nay to the changes.

Robert Vaughn, Oldsmar

A slap in the face Aug. 4, letter

Send Mexico a bill

The letter writer hits the nail right on the head. I am sick to death of reading the sob stories about illegal immigrants (call them what they are). We're supposed to feel sorry for them?

I don't believe for a minute that they crossed the borders illegally for any reason other than what they can get out of this country.

If business people needed these workers, they should have pressed government long ago to establish a way for them to work legally. I can't understand why U.S. taxpayers should have the burden of paying for their lawyers, medical care, etc., when they are known to be illegal.

How about billing the Mexican government for all of these services for their nationals?

Shirley M. Day, St. Petersburg

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 21:29:02]