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Letters to the Editors'DixieCrat' label is a compliment
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 4, 2001 Editor: I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Doris Kovalick for calling me a "DixieCrat." The definition of a DixieCrat is a Southern Conservative Democrat. Which means that I am not a bleeding-heart liberal. Yes, thank you for putting me in the company of great leaders like President Harry Truman, Majority Leader Sam Rayburn and Gov. Lawton Chiles. For too long I have watched the ultra-left of our party attempt to take control. It is because of these extremists that our party has lost both members and elections. Just like the ultra-right of the Republicans, they are the minority. Mainstream America is the majority in both parties whose common sense has dictated moderation. There are issues that separate the parties, but Americans as a whole are in the middle of the road. I feel that our Democratic candidates should stand for what the majority of Americans are concerned with. We do not have to look any farther than in our own back yard for an example. In Pasco County, the "no party" and independent affiliations are growing faster than either political party. To me, this indicates that people are fed up with the active radicals of both parties. The silent majority needs to stand up and be heard. As far as attempting to blame me for Debra Prewitt's loss, this is a classic example of Mrs. Kovalick not wanting to look in the mirror. Unfortunately, Prewitt allowed herself to become influenced by the extreme liberals in the party. She supported issues that were not in line with the majority of her constituent's beliefs here in Pasco County. The two examples that immediately come to mind are same-sex marriages and the dispute between Port Richey and New Port Richey. The first rule for an elected official is to represent our constituents. When every elected official does this, it provides balance to our government. I have the same concern with Mr. Kalogianis, who has very liberal views. Pasco County has a long history of not voting for liberal issues. Given that fact, what do you think his chances are? When he ran for Pasco Democratic chairman he was defeated by a 2-to-1 ratio. Does that not suggest that the majority of the party leadership does not support his views? It has been reported that Mr. Kalogianis stated that he was running for Congress regardless of what district he ends up in, including Democratic U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman. What kind of loyal Democrat would run against Thurman? If the liberals in my party continue to attack me, so be it, but I will not subordinate my ideas and beliefs or give up my right of free speech just to please the ignorant minority.
Struggling students need tutoring, not advanced kidsRe: Tutors will ready youth for college, Feb. 26. Editor: As I started to read the article I was pleased to hear that there is going to be some help for the students at Hudson High. As I read on, I was furious to read that the whole concept suddenly changed from tutoring youths with low-test scores to "provide study sessions for students boning up to take Advanced Placement exams." Obviously these students are not the targets for the program. Hudson has some students graduating with B averages and still failing the basic English and math parts of the entrance exam to PHCC. I am paying $35 an hour for my 10th-grader to be retaught the basics of reading and studying because he hasn't been taught these principles since elementary school. This sounds like a great opportunity for Hudson High to provide such tutoring classes. I'm sure the D grade received was not due to the lack of knowledge by the students seeking advanced placement. I would like the principal of Hudson High School to explain why the programs are not being aimed at struggling students, like most of the district's other tutoring programs, and why is PHCC allowing him to misuse the funding? Does he think these students don't deserve the chance to get extra help? Almost all the parents I know have the same complaints about the school system: It doesn't teach enough of the basics!
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