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Letter to the editor

Todays Letters: Nothing official about display

Peace prevails after fussstory, Dec. 8

I'm glad Safety Harbor resolved the issue of public display of symbols of the "reason for the season": a creche and a menorah at the gazebo park on Main Street.

However, let's get one thing straight. Such display has nothing to do with the separation of church and state. The First Amendment to our Constitution says: "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ..." Placing a creche or a menorah on public property is not passing a law to establish a religion. In fact, prohibiting such might well be interpreted as "prohibiting the free exercise thereof" if such display is considered religious.

It is done as part of the observance of a festival that is both religious and secular, and the symbols of this festival come down after the festival is over. They are not left to remind us that there is anything "established," or official, about their presence on public property.

They also serve as a kind of history lesson to remind us why we celebrate this festival at this time of the year. The "establishment of religion" the First Amendment addresses means such things as taxes to support a particular religion; membership in a particular religion as a prerequisite for public office; the possible banning of religions not so established, etc., all of which were part of the political/religious scene in the royal colonies such as Virginia, New York, etc. The established Church of England was the religion benefitting from such establishment and was the reason for the First Amendment.

A far-fetched implication of the amendment is that Congress not only can't establish any single religion as "official," but even if it wanted to, couldn't officially recognize or "establish" all religions (so as to make everyone happy). Congress is not in the "religion business."

So please, let's just accept the fact that the "reason for the season" is the birth of Jesus, and as far as Hanukkah goes, it is the competition in the United States with the emphasis on Jesus' birth at this time of the year.

And let's not get exercised when we see a symbol that reminds us of that fact, but is not intended to "establish" the Christian faith as the official religion of the United States (or even Safety Harbor).

And by the way, what has become the major symbol of the Christmas season, Santa Claus, is honoring a Christian saint, Nicholas, a bishop of the church many centuries ago in what is today Turkey. His "day" was observed Dec. 6. Heavens! Should we object to his symbolic presence at this time of the year as well?

The Rev. John B. Kelley,Clearwater

Go right ahead and leave Florida letter, Dec. 6

We all have the same rights here

We hope that the letter written by Kelly King doesn't represent the thinking of the many friends and neighbors we've associated with since arriving here from the north several years ago.

Unless we're totally ignorant of the law of our land, people from Palm Harbor, Toledo, Ohio, New York, N.Y., and yes, even Juneau, Alaska, have at least one very valuable asset in common: all live in the USA.

As we're sure King must know, as American citizens we all have the right to expect equal protection under the law. To promote the idea that those who came to Florida first should be subsidized by those who arrived later is ludicrous.

Regarding the concern expressed about the need to upgrade the infrastructure and the added costs because of migration, may we share a fact of life? All of us who pay federal income tax assist in providing money to all state and local governments that need to make these necessary improvements.

Historically, property taxes were imposed as a fair way to assign financial responsibility to pay for government protection and service based on the ability to pay. The tax was to be based on the value of the property, be it residential, commercial or industrial. Those who owned the most valuable land paid the greater tax. Who owned the land was truly irrelevant.

Obviously, things have changed. Who knows what's next? Perhaps it will become necessary to prove Florida residency to pay a 6 percent sales tax rather than a higher percent for visitors. Same thinking, just a different tax.

Perhaps King is an original Floridian (a Seminole?). If that's the case, it might explain the parochialism expressed in the letter. However, if King isn't a native, we won't advocate being treated like an illegal. Hopefully, those of us from different parts of the country who own property in the Sunshine State will be extended the same courtesy.

S. Gibson,Dunedin

Go right ahead and leave Florida letter, Dec. 6

What happens if we all move?

What a selfish person this woman is. And why does she assume all people who think Save Our Homes is unfair are from the north?

I have lived in this county for the most part since 1958, with two years in Hillsborough County and five years in Volusia County. My father was raised in Florida and only left the state for Georgia for a few years. My daughter was born and raised in this county.

What about us? I sold a home that I had for more than 22 years and bought another four years ago. My taxes are higher than larger homes bought one year earlier. Is that fair? And for only a small difference in size, my taxes here are double. My daughter bought her first home two years ago and the taxes tripled. Is that fair?

What about us? Does Kelly King want us to move?

I wish Save Our Homes would be declared unconstitutional. We need to go back to homes assessed against each other, not who was first assessed against who bought later.

Maybe selfish people like Kelly King would leave. She doesn't care about the future of this state, only her pockets.

My daughter has had lifelong friends, who like her, graduated from colleges in this state. They are leaving in droves because they can't afford the property taxes and insurance it takes to buy a home here.

Imagine! These young people born and raised here are leaving the state they love because they can't afford to pay the property taxes and insurance on top of paying about five to 10 times what the older population had to pay for their first home. Is that fair?

My daughter won't be far behind I fear, and I will follow. Then selfish people like Kelly King will be picking up the taxes when businesses, schools, etc., come to take those still left for more taxes.

If something isn't solved and soon, Florida will no longer be the state people come to. It will be the state people are leaving.

How sad.

Adelle Blackman,Tarpon Springs

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[Last modified December 19, 2007, 22:41:47]