Todays Letters: We need a party for independents

Jan. 31, commentary by Bob Graham 

This article by former Florida Sen. Bob Graham is an excellent attempt at reforming the ultrapartisan struggle into which our two-party system has fallen. Perhaps the current presidential election will lead to some of his reforms, but I wouldn't count on it.

What America really needs is a viable third party. We've had examples of it in the past with Ross Perot or Ralph Nader. But little of it continued to survive after the elections, except in small enclaves.

Today, however, there are a huge number of registered independent voters who belong to neither party. Why not form an "Independent Party"? This is easier said than done, of course, but beginning at the local or even the state level, there should be enough capable and ambitious young people - perhaps even among the ruling parties - to form such a new party based on the neutral, independent vote. With any success, this could be transferred to the national level, especially in the congressional races.

W.H. Riddell, Tampa

We might have mattered

Florida's Republican-majority Legislature, with bipartisan support, passed a bill moving Florida's 2008 presidential primary to Jan. 29. Florida's Republican governor signed the bill into law. The idea was to give Florida an earlier voice in deciding who would be the nominees for the two major political parties, rather than leaving that honor to Iowa and New Hampshire and other small states.

As it turns out, Florida's 2008 primary will be mostly remembered for the implosion of the Rudy Giuliani campaign and, to a lesser degree, the end of the John Edwards campaign. Rather than being a "kingmaker," Florida was just another early state whose primary results ended up making little difference in picking the parties' nominees.

So, Jan. 29, 2008 is history, as is this week's Super Tuesday, and there's still no Democratic or Republican presidential candidate with enough delegate votes to secure the nomination.

Which brings us to the Law of Unintended Consequences. If Florida's primary was coming up in March, the nation's eyes would be focused on Florida (and Texas, a week earlier) as the real tipping point for the nominees, the "kingmaker." Instead, Florida is just an also-ran.

Hans Meyer, Tallahassee

First fix Florida, governor

I wish Gov. Charlie Crist would stop running for vice president and do something about Florida's insurance and taxes. Spending $4-million to prove to the party hacks that he can deliver Florida is pitiful. So is the $240 property tax reduction.

If Crist wants to use Florida as a stepping-stone to the White House, he should make sure the state is a firm rock he can stand on before he leaps.

Madeline Ziegele, Hudson

A better way to vote

I'm tired of the lousy candidates, corporate welfare, greed and corruption in the system. Each election cycle seems worse than the last. Our unfair voting system favors two parties and discourages good candidates and third parties.

Instant runoff voting needs no expensive runoffs and lets you rank candidates, one, two, three. If your first choice loses, your vote automatically goes to your second choice, etc. No spoilers, splitters or wasted votes. No calculating the lesser of two evils. Many cities, states and countries already use this better system.

Instant runoff voting encourages voter interest and participation, and better candidates. I look for a linchpin cause that may indirectly solve many problems. Is encouraging more candidates and more voter participation the linchpin? I think so.

William Gilbert, Weeki Wachee

Report says nation at greater risk Feb. 1

Pathetic priorities

I'd like to see a political cartoon that would look something like this: On a map of America, cities are being blown up in the distance; men and women in uniform are out to the side standing beside broken-down equipment, helmets in hand, tears in their eyes and drooping shoulders; and in the foreground, the Capitol building in Washington, surrounded by throngs of Americans with their hands stretched out and Uncle Sam standing atop the building throwing tons of money out to them under the banner "Economic Stimulus Package."

It certainly would show what our priorities are and the profound intelligence of our national leaders. How pathetic.

Sandra Tracey, Tarpon Springs

Bush policy on torture is morally absurd Feb. 6, commentary by Tim Rutten

Unbalanced rant

It is Tim Rutten of the Los Angeles Times who is morally absurd by asserting that the CIA waterboarding of three known al-Qaida terrorists just days after 9/11 is indefensible.

The object was to find out if more American citizens were slated to be blown up in the ensuing days. He conveniently omits this in his unbalanced rant. Printing dishonest pap like this does not serve our community well.

Vincent Probst, Tampa

[Last modified February 7, 2008, 22:10:36]