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Todays Letters: War costs could cover stimulus

Letters to the Editor
Published January 29, 2008

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Last week Congress and President Bush announced a "stimulus package" which boils down to borrowing another $150-billion to distribute cash to ordinary Americans. They tell us this amount of additional borrowing will temporarily soften the coming recession. This amount is roughly equal to the cost of a single year of our Iraq occupation.

While waiting for the Sunnis and Shiites to make nice with each other, we have been rapidly going broke. I hope the American voter finally sees the relationship between the war and the failing economy.

By the government's own numbers, we have spent enough of the taxpayers' money in Iraq already to prevent or mitigate the next five or six recessions, which would likely be spread out over several decades. The recession we are just beginning should be known henceforth as the first Iraq recession.

We have gone from being the world's greatest creditor to the largest debtor nation in the history of the planet. All this for the invasion of a country that was no threat to us whatsoever.

The massive debt we are now incurring will be repaid by additional taxes on our children and grandchildren.

Scott Cochran, Tampa

Insure wind damage, too

In 1968, Congress passed the National Flood Insurance Act that provides a program of flood insurance assuring appropriate protection against the perils of flood losses. Many of us are familiar with the requirements of our mortgage lenders that we carry such insurance. Although federal assistance is still a vital part of disaster response and recovery, the NFIP saves the U.S. taxpayer millions of dollars each year.

How difficult would it be for Congress to now provide similar insurance for wind damage? This coverage would not just be for hurricanes but for tornados and even the Santa Ana winds in California. The immediate effect on cost of homeowners insurance would be dramatic, and the current situation of having so many properties either underinsured or lacking all wind coverage would be significantly reduced. In addition, the need for FEMA to provide financial assistance would be reduced in the same way as the results from national flood insurance have shown.

Thomas I. Hayes, St. Petersburg

Tropicana Field

A different land swap

Without belaboring the pro and con arguments - cost, parking problems, the need for Midtown development, space for parks, an updated stadium, etc. - I'd like to suggest that development being planned for the Toytown dump site be moved to the current Tropicana site and a new stadium be located on the Toytown site.

It would be next to major highways, providing better access for Hillsborough, Pasco and north Pinellas County. It would provide desired development of Midtown, and does not disrupt the waterfront property which can be turned into a park. Think of the simplicity, and the satisfaction of the many factions opposed to the current plan.

John Horsting, St. Petersburg

Fans want to see winners

I am not a resident of St. Petersburg, although I was an original Devil Rays season ticket holder. I suggest that St. Petersburg and/or Pinellas County offer the Rays the Al Lang Field property when the Rays win the American League pennant, and even offer substantial financial help in building a new stadium when (if) they win the World Series.

If the Rays were a championship team, folks might be inclined to sit outside in the blazing summer heat and humidity to see an exciting game. But I predict that the attendance will be even more meager than it is now if we fans have to give up our air conditioning and a roof to see the same old losing team.

Greg Arterburn, Treasure Island

Stumbling leaders lack vision Jan. 22, editorial

Parallel problems

To quote the first paragraph of your own editorial with a few changes in parentheses:

"Housing has tanked, a recession looms, the (city) is desperate to cut taxes and spending - and what are (St. Petersburg's leaders) doing? They spent the past year ... debating whether to spend $(450)-million on a sports stadium)."

How could you write that editorial and not come out strongly against the Rays' proposal to get out of Tropicana Field and build a new baseball stadium? Talk about lacking vision!

Willi Rudowsky, St. Petersburg

Of steroids, spitballs and sanctimony Jan. 25, commentary by Steven Grossman

Off-base notion

I was enjoying the sarcastic high hard one Steven Grossman was tossing at our government for its McCarthy-like involvement in the steroids scandal in Major League Baseball. That was until he gave up the walk-off tater by referencing baseball's (and Congress'?) past indifference to other forms of cheating including Gaylord Perry's spitballs.

I'm aware of no one whose skin transformed into a lunar surface, had their family's future shrivel like a California raisin or heart explode due to sustained loogie utilization.

Kenneth Talbot, Seminole

Tipster receives $5M

Why a reward?

I have been following the articles concerning the in-house arguing about how the $5-million reward for calling the FBI about the "20th hijacker" should be divided. While one flight instructor received the money, the other two instructors were commended for their "bravery" and "heroism" for "dropping a dime on the suspected terrorist."

Correct me if I am wrong, but is that not your civic and moral duty? I am perplexed as to why there is a reward to begin with. As Americans, are we not all in this together? I hope that anyone with information on terrorism would make that call.

To be fighting over something that should have been done without the thought of a monetary reward is just plain greed.

Dennis Condon, Palm Harbor

Annoying phone calls

Having subscribed to the national no-call list, I am surprised that it doesn't apply to politicians and their supporters. They have made a tactical error if they assumed that these constant interruptions have convinced me that I should vote for any of them.

D.W. Deck, New Port Richey

The poetry column Jan. 20

What a voice

Cheers to the St. Petersburg Times for printing Steve Orlen's wonderful poem about Maria Callas.

In 1954 I was privileged to watch her perform in the Chicago Civic Opera House. It was packed and during her performance, the sound of a pin dropping would have been heard. The final curtain fell and for several seconds, dead silence. The audience, including yours truly, was left stunned at her voice, her performance.

Then the standing ovation, the thunderous applause, the bravos, the roar of appreciation erupted, lasting through numerous curtain calls. It's a wonder the roof of the opera house didn't blow off and sail into Lake Michigan. Yes, she could imagine almost anything and give voice, as well as acting, to it.

Dorothy M. Smith, Homosassa

Include retirees

The new rebate, announced last week, goes to taxpayers as I understand. Some of us are retired with income so low that we no longer are required to file income taxes.

We sure could use some extra cash! Aren't we worth getting some money to spend, too? We'd love to help the economy!

Barbara Purtee, Gulfport

Senate may add retiree rebates Jan. 26, story

Disabled need help, too

I'd like to add to the list of those "not included" in the current economic stimulus rebate plan. That group is U.S. citizens who, through no fault of their own, find themselves on Social Security disability and who are not currently senior citizens.

Let's say you worked hard for 20 years, were in a bad accident, and now find yourself physically disabled and unable to work. You paid into Social Security all your working life until you were disabled. Also included are those who have developed disabling diseases and now can't work.

How is it fair and right to propose a $2,100 rebate to a family with 3 children when that family is making $100,000 a year?

I guess disabled people who make $500 a month on Social Security disability aren't going to be stimulating the economy much, now are they? They're probably too concerned about how to pay for their housing, utilities and groceries to be thinking about their next plasma TV.

Garret Maunula, Spring Hill

[Last modified January 28, 2008, 22:04:36]

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