Today's Letters: Selfishness will hurt our state
By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 6, 2007
Property taxes
Until we, long-term residents and born and raised Floridians, put aside our attitude of "'You weren't born here so who cares how hard it is on you," we are only hurting this great place we all call home.
We do not "own" this state, and we should welcome others who want to make this place their home. The bottom line is that for this state to do well economically and not end up a "poor Southern state," something needs to be done about our current tax system.
Sure, it's great to be one of the lucky ones who are protected by Save Our Homes. But let's be realistic. If we were included in the group of people who were bearing a discriminatory burden of those taxes, we'd be the first ones to yell about how unfair it is. Just because someone is newer to the area, is a first-time home buyer, owns a business or is fortunate enough to have two homes, why should they be penalized?
As this backward system that we have in place results in more inequities, it is only going to cost us. For those Floridians with the attitude of "Who cares, just leave," be careful what you wish for. Once we have lost all newcomers, second-home owners, business owners who can no longer afford to operate here, and younger people stop coming here because it's just too expensive, what will we be left with? Your tax burden will end up so high it ruins you, or, because of the loss of so many contributors this, state will deteriorate quickly.
The best thing that could happen right now is for the people of this state to eliminate Save Our Homes and demand a low and fair tax system, or for a court to finally rule that it has to go because it is grossly discriminatory and inequitable. There are other fairer and equitable options out there that would provide the revenue needed to operate this state and not overly burden one group over another.
Debbie Smith, Seminole
Grateful for tax cap
The Save Our Homes Amendment to the Florida Constitution was enacted by the voters to save our homes in the face of rampant tax increases brought about by the unwillingness of our elected officials to curb unbridled growth or to increase impact fees to pay for the increased costs of infrastructure.
I did vote for the amendment and am very thankful that I did.
Our taxes this year are $2,326 and would have been $6,276 had the Save Our Homes Amendment not been enacted. It is true the value of our home has increased, but it does us no good unless we sell our home. Now that I am retired, I would be forced to sell our home were it not for the homestead protection.
To those of you who are screaming about the discrepancy in taxes, I can only say that each of you were aware or should have been aware of what your taxes would be before you purchased your home, and it's a little late to complain now. Indeed, if enough of you had decided not to purchase, you would have helped cool the real estate boom and the taxes would not be so high now for the others who did purchase.
Walter Hudson, Ruskin
Fewer people a plus
There have been recent letters about the governor's inability to solve our property tax and insurance problems. The writers have expressed concern that this will result in residents leaving the state and discourage others from moving here.
I may have missed something, but I thought this was what many Floridians want. Fewer residents and slower population growth will help reduce the need for new public services and schools, reduce congestion on our roads and shorten wait times at our restaurants. Perhaps this is what our governor has really been seeking to achieve.
Samuel H. Halter, Tampa
Taxpayers are divided
Letters regarding the Legislature's tax proposal fail to identify the real issue, which is that politicians continue to divide us and conquer us.
If all homeowners are assessed and taxed similarly, we will all be in the same boat and interested in tax issues as Floridians instead of for our own selfish interests. If we continue to be in separate interest groups - old and new homesteaders, nonhomesteaders, business owners - we will never achieve what is best for all of Florida.
Walter Melnick, Treasure Island
Follow the cost of living
There is a simple solution to all the controversy on how much municipalities should be able to increase tax rates. Lets limit all tax increases from all taxing bodies (municipal, county, state, federal, etc.) to the rate the federal government says is adequate for Social Security. Government expenses shouldn't increase more than what it claims is inflation.
Jack Kowal, Redington Shores
No kudos for Crist
I am sorry, but I seem to be missing what this love affair with Gov. Charlie Crist is. From what I have seen he has been doing a subpar job.
The insurance companies are still overcharging consumers as well as dropping customers. The property tax issue has barely been touched. I do not think all that time spent by the state House and Senate produced any significant solution.
Please stop telling us he is doing such a great job and start calling him to task for him not doing his job to the standard that is needed here.
John Roth, Clearwater
Children and the pill Nov. 3, commentary
The source of sex problems
I suspect that to most people this opinion piece appeared to be a well-balanced analysis of the controversy surrounding schools providing birth control pills to girls in the early teenage years. Unfortunately, it never even tries to ascertain the root cause of the problem, and therefore any proposed long-term solutions must be looked at with suspicion.
By definition, a culture that accepts moral relativism as its "belief du jour" in order to justify its lifestyle does not have the intellectual, social or spiritual wherewithal to extricate itself from this dilemma no matter how sincere.
This problem can't be solved alone by lectures on sexual morality, especially in a culture where this term is essentially an oxymoron, confirmed daily in the media. But maybe, just maybe, the culture may "have a change of heart" regarding its desire to continue to dabble with sexual immorality, not because it's the right thing to do, but because now it is necessary to medicate young children with high-powered chemicals in order for them to survive the collateral damage of such a position.
We all learned about this in kindergarten. "Monkey see, monkey do." That's what "responsible adults" should always keep in mind when considering public policy about human sexuality and its effects on the children, the most innocent of our society.
Howard Glicksman, M.D., Spring Hill
Boy, 4, killed by ball in park Nov. 3, story
Name not needed
I cannot believe you printed the name of the young ballplayer in this terrible tragedy. You often withhold the names of victims and/or juveniles, and this boy is both.
There was no need to print his name. Accidents happen and this one had the worst outcome. The real victims are the pitcher and the young boy's older brother who will forever hold that experience, no matter how much counseling, no matter how many years.
Too much information was offered here, yet dozens of other times identities are protected.
Robyn Dalton, Largo
Daylight saving time
Stop time tinkering
Is anyone else out there as weary as I am of the twice-yearly adjustment we all must make in our lives when the clocks are reset in the spring and fall?
My suggestion is that a scientific, comprehensive study be done on the true benefits of DST. If it is worthwhile for saving energy, fine. Make daylight saving time all year long. If not, or if the results of the study are inconclusive, then put the question of DST or standard time to a vote, and let the public decide which one we want - year round. Either system is fine with me (keeping in mind that I no longer have school-age kids waiting at school bus stops in the dark).
In either case, I am most definitely casting my vote right now for one system year round. If I never have to "spring forward" or "fall back" again, I will be an even happier man than I am right now.
Charlie Viebrock, Palm Harbor