Immigration crackdown

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 16, 2007

We need a better way to pay for government

There is a good deal of discussion of how the state of Florida will be able to meet its fiscal responsibilities over the next few years. A state, like a business, needs a steady and reliable stream of income to meet its fiscal obligations. Florida relies heavily on sales and property taxes to meet its obligations. Neither appears to meet the test of a steady and reliable stream of income.

One solution that comes to mind to help meet the state's fiscal obligations would be to reassess the nearly 400 tax exemptions that appear in the tax code. Some of these may be legitimate, but a number benefit only special-interest groups.

An additional method of raising income would be a tax on all earned income. A mix of sales tax, property tax and an income tax offers the possibility of lowering the tax rate for everyone. This mix of income would be less responsive to swings in the state economy.

There are those who seem to believe that a state or municipality can meet the needs of its citizens on less and less income. It would be nice if this were the case, but in the real world, this attitude is self-defeating.

Robert Bucklin, Zephyrhills

Bulletproof glass steels nerves of bank's tellers Aug. 14, Dateline Florida brief

Dangerous policy

In this item, bank employees refused the demands of armed robbers for money during a bank robbery. The article failed to give the name of the bank, saying only that it happened in Fort Lauderdale. There was no information on any of the other victims, namely the poor souls trapped in the lobby not protected by 3-inch-thick bulletproof glass. The article did mention a .45-caliber handgun and an AK-47 rifle and two men desperate enough to commit an armed robbery of a bank.

I would like more information published on this news story. I certainly would never do business at a bank that refused an armed demand for money based on a policy of protecting their employees. What happens to me, the customer? I don't wish to think about it. I would appreciate the name of the bank having such an absurd policy.

Robert Spencer, St. Petersburg

Fish, wildlife panel is developers' fan club Aug. 10, editorial

Not good for greens

Gov. Charlie Crist pulled a fast one. Note the positions that he filled, stocking the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with those who would rather build. This is rather disappointing. "Green" had appeared to be his trend. It's yet another case of payback for contributors and friends.

Over the course of time, we'll know whether this group warrants our trust. One cannot help but feel that more green space will bite the dust.

Mitch Ferrell, Largo

Crist selects a green team Aug. 14, story

Protect our pockets

It would be nice if Gov. Charlie Crist would spend as much time on the green that goes out of our pockets with taxes and homeowner's insurance as he does with the environmental green. The former is so much more immediate than the latter.

Helping the environment is fine but doesn't effect everyone's bottom line currently the way taxes and homeowner's insurance do. So, let's keep our priorities straight, and we'll retain more residents in the state of Florida.

Tom DuLaney, Tarpon Springs

Survey shows more women breast-feeding Aug. 13, Floridian brief

Natural nourishment

Thank you for sharing this. It is great to know that more and more women are feeding their babies the way nature intended.

Also, thank you for the picture you included of a mom nursing her baby. Maybe if more people "see" nursing in public it will become more accepted!

Cyndi Schmitt, Dunedin

[Last modified August 15, 2007, 21:29:49]