Today's Letters: Same old tired politics as usual

Re: Statement taken out of context Feb. 12 letter

In reply to a recent comment by Hernando County Republican Executive Committee Chairwoman Ana Trinque in defense of our local U.S. representative, and while respecting her opinion and belief, let me ask this question in fairness to both local parties: Do the politicians of this county, state and government feel that a retired person living on less than $1,000 a month and getting help from her children, not the government or any other Social Services, could not use the $300 to survive and should not be entitled to it because she did not file a tax return? Do they see that as moral?

We already have an answer. Rhetorically, I presume those making $60,000 and up should get the help? After all it is to stimulate the economy right? But whose? China? India? Ours?

We are not an industrial superpower any longer. What do we manufacture here? We assemble, yes, but just how much do we make here? Do you think this is the cause of our financial mess? We should understand that everything to stimulate this economy, from the very stimulus money to the goods they want us to buy, goes full circle out of this nation and into the coffers of the big international corporations and foreign nations and investors. Yes, we must spend because we have no alternative. How sad we allow continue to allow this. Change is not with this bunch.

Let me ask of these two parties, as I have already asked our sitting representatives at the state and national levels. Do they think 31, 32, 33 or 34 percent interest on credit card debt is not usurious? Yes or no? Do they think it is moral? Do they think when someone is unemployed, down and out, had been a good payer but lost his or her job because their company moved to Mexico or offshore, or the economy has slowed and they are now behind, they should receive five and 10 calls a day from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. every day of the week until they pay? Even when they contact the lender, the calls continue. Do they think this is moral?

The rhetorical answer is "If you paid your bills and didn't buy you wouldn't have the problem." That says it all. It is easy when you "have."

Whether it's Obama, Hillary or McCain, I see no difference in ideology or belief. Just more of the same tired practices and the same tired parties. The parties of average Americans? Yeah, right.

Robert Melaccio Sr., Spring Hill

Re: Stung by decision, fire chief resigns Feb. 16 story

Don't be hasty in hiring fire chief

The sense of urgency to fill the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District chief's position is something that should not be taken lightly. How can the taxpayers in the Spring Hill fire district know for certain that the best possible person was selected to fill the position, when the position was not advertised?

The outgoing fire chief was selected after a brief selection process. That, too, was hurried. The motion to suspend the search was made at a meeting, a motion to promote from within was made, the terms of the contract were hastily assembled and mistakes were made.

The chief never honored his verbal agreement to complete his college education and because it was not in his contract, the board could not enforce that stipulation. Furthermore, the long-range plan for the district was never assembled (his predecessor was terminated for not having a plan).

The waivers granted to the outgoing chief should have allowed all applicants to apply instead of being told they had to meet all prerequisites before applying.

Nick Morana, Spring Hill

Re: Service programs need another look Feb. 18 letter

Corps of workers worth returning

I thank letter writer Clint Thaxton for reminding of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It's too bad we don't have that instead of welfare. But I guess none of our homeless would take advantage of it. Why work when government will support you?

My father, a U.S. Army reserve officer, was recalled to active duty to run camps that build the Skyline Drive and the Virginia part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We didn't live at the camp. We lived in Luray and then in Bedford, Va.

I even got to spend the summer in President Hoover's old summer getaway cabins. For a 6-year-old girl, that was heaven.

The men couldn't have their families with them. So, when we went to camp to pick up my father, my brother and I had a whole lot of babysitters. The men loved me because I reminded them of their own little girls.

When we stayed in the cabin, we only had one problem. I would pick up and play with anything that moved. The countryside was full of rattlesnakes. Mother gave my brother, two years older and not as brave as me, the task of keeping an eye on his little sister and to not let me play with the snakes.

Yes, the CCC was a lifesaver. It kept many families out of the bread line. I'm all for bringing it back.

Kathryn L. Robinson, New Port Richey

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[Last modified February 27, 2008, 20:48:23]