Opinion: Florida cannot tax and spend its way to prosperity

It's one thing to oppose tax cuts. We disagree. I don't believe your point about data points refutes my observation that while cutting taxes, Florida has enjoyed a 4.1 percent average annual increase in tax revenue. No, our tax cuts aren't solely responsible for that. But they've been a big help in encouraging businesses to come to Florida or to expand, and that, in turn, increases the tax base.

And it's another thing to promote more spending just for the sake of more spending. Fine. We disagree. I believe that a three-year increase of 21 percent in public school funding -- over $200 more per student every year -- is pretty impressive. But you are welcome to exploit the standard liberal prerogative to regard any funding increase as insufficient and any renewed commitment as miserly.

It's putting those two points together that has me scratching my head. If lower tax revenues due to the economy are the problem, how can even more spending be the solution? Why does our modest $175-million in tax relief this year continue to draw your criticism, but the $2.7-billion in new spending ($2.9-billion before vetoes) does not?

Florida cannot tax and spend its way into prosperity. It's never worked before, and it won't work now.
-- Jeb Bush, governor, Tallahassee

Security requires classified information

The Aug. 23 article by Thomas S. Blanton, Keeping secrets at too high a price, is so full of holes that it can be classified as journalistic Swiss cheese. Blanton poses theoretical questions with no hint of a possible answer. For example, he questions the existence of a foreign intelligence threat "even remotely comparable" to that of the KGB during the Cold War. He apparently doesn't read the newspapers.

If he did, he'd know that the Russian intelligence services are still large in number and quite active in the United States. The affair involving Robert Hanssen of the FBI, who has confessed to spying for Russia, is a case in point. Add to that last week's story about the arrest of an Air Force sergeant who worked at the National Reconnaissance Office on charges of conspiring to commit espionage, and the continuing security threat is proven. And don't forget the Chinese.

Blanton cites the leaks in the White House and the State Department. Numerous articles and books have told about the large number of government employees who have not received security clearances but have access to classified information. The United States leaks like a sieve where classified information is concerned. There is no question that the American people have a right to know what the government is doing in general terms. But the technical details must be kept classified. And those who violate security should be punished, as they put the entire country at risk. The fact that violations occur is no reason to ignore them.

A few months ago, I came across a military-oriented monthly journal devoted to communications and electronics. As I scanned the articles, I couldn't believe my eyes. They contained details about equipment and systems that would definitely have been classified in the "Old Army." The military and the government must create policies that protect all its information because information that kills soldiers is a salable commodity. Are we making available to potential enemies the gun they will one day hold to our heads?

A key role of intelligence is to ascertain the capabilities of potential enemies. The relaxation of controls and the further relaxation of security will enhance their potential. We must be ready to meet any threat that can be anticipated.

Our national security will not be enhanced by giving what we know to the whole world. We must plug the holes in Mr. Blanton's cheese.
-- Bernard L. Tauber, lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army (retired), Tampa

Bury this legislation

Re: Classified silencing, editorial, Aug. 24.

This editorial concluded by saying, "If (Sen. Bob) Graham really believes government needs to be held accountable for its actions, he should help bury this legislation that would allow it (the government) to hide behind a rubber stamp marked "Classified."

Last year similar legislation was vetoed by President Clinton. As chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Graham should reconsider his prior support for the measure.

We strongly believe Graham should help bury this legislation.
-- Vincent F. Sulla and Margaret Sulla, Temple Terrace

Mack's disappointing position

Re: Pro-life and stem cell research, by Connie Mack, Aug. 24.

I was, to put it mildly, disappointed with former Sen. Mack's viewpoint. I, too, am pro-life (a k a, anti-abortion). I also agree that President Bush's recent decision does seem to be the best for the time being. However, in the event the research proves successful, a truly pro-life president would have to make an adamant decision in the face of extreme pressure from many sides. To allow federal funding for the destroying of more human embryos would not at all be pro-life.

"Why?" you ask. "It saves lives!"

Possibly, but the whole basis of the pro-life viewpoint is that human life begins at conception. The killing of a human being for any purpose, other than punishment for crime, is wrong! In effect, to save a life through embryonic stem cell research is no gain at all. You subtract one life to "add" one life, which equals nothing. That's why it scares me when Mack implies that President Bush may condone the deaths of more human embryos.

Don't forget that stem cell research does not have to be done only on embryos, but also can be done on adult stem cells. I hope and pray our president takes that into account when he's faced with the next crucial decision!
-- Jon Doozan, Brandon

All human life must be respected

Re: Pro-life and stem cell research, Aug. 24.

Connie Mack states that he is a pro-life Catholic who has "grappled" with the issue of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. He is now in agreement with President Bush's recent decision on the subject. In fact, he thinks the president "deserves great credit" for his decision. However, Catholics believe that the pope is Christ's representative on Earth, and, Pope John Paul II has condemned human embryonic stem cell research.

Some may argue that the pope did not explicitly condemn scientific work on embryos that already exist in order to obtain stem cells. However, when researchers talk about "work" on these embryos, they mean killing them. Catholic teaching clearly insists on respect for all human life, and embryos cannot be killed anymore than people who are born can be killed.
-- Carol Carnevale, St. Petersburg

Boat race can sail away

Re: Offshore race wants more from city, Aug. 25.

Michael Allweiss, chairman of APBA Offshore, seems to have developed a rather obnoxious sense of entitlement. He states he is prepared to move his offshore boat race to another city if the city (and taxpayers) of St. Petersburg don't give him what he wants. Among other things, Allweiss asks the city provide more than $60,000 in city services for free and buy advertising on telecasts of the event. In addition Allweiss' group wants to charge admission to The Pier for viewing of the boat race.

Allweiss also insinuated that without a new agreement from the city, an outstanding unpaid bill of $63,000 that is owed to the city of St. Petersburg from last year's event might not be paid. Allweiss states, "If y'all tell us to get lost, please explain what the incentive is to pay that bill."

The city surely has a few attorneys who could properly explain why he has to pay the bill. Allow us to be among to first to wish him and his race organization a bon voyage.
-- Gary and Jill West, St. Petersburg

Looking for a place at the public trough

I urge St. Petersburg's mayor and City Council to tell Michael Allweiss and the APBA to take their race somewhere else. The idea of paying tax dollars to secure this event (when they owe past due monies) is appalling.

To charge residents to go to The Pier, when it is already tax supported is even more ridiculous. This is just another money-hungry promoter looking to feed from the public trough. Enough is enough. Let him move his race. Maybe the sharks at New Smyrna Beach will welcome him.
-- William Goff, St. Petersburg

It's an annoying fiasco

Re: Offshore race wants more from city, Aug. 25.

The best laugh I've had in months was reading Michael Allweiss' threat to cancel the American Power Boat Association's offshore race scheduled to roar into Tampa Bay again Oct. 4-7 unless St. Petersburg's taxpayers chip in to help stage the event.

How exquisitely delightful! We taxpayers can pay to observe speed nuts goose their boats to 80 miles per hour. Their created noise vastly exceeds the police citation level of 100 decibels at a 100-foot distance. Their waves will rock any marina-docked boats. Birds will rise in the hundreds from island sanctuaries. Spilled gas and oil will pollute Tampa Bay. Fish will be churned up and manatees, beware!

Allweiss further states that "entry fees, refreshment sales and other sources failed to recover the costs last year." Isn't this the best indication that he has little community support and that we don't want this unwanted fiasco to repeat itself this or any future year?

I am not biased, and I do want to be helpful to Michael Allweiss and suggest that St. Petersburg contribute $250 to aid him to take this abomination to some distant shore such as Antarctica and provide the penguins with a display of how some humans annoy their kind and pollute their environment.
-- John Christy Clement, Tierra Verde

Give the money to the schools

Re: Offshore race wants more from city.

St. Petersburg taxpayers should cheer and say bye-bye to Michael Allweiss and his demand for money to play boating games. Our schools can certainly use the money.

There is never a time when schools are the No. 1 priority in this town. Maybe it's time to straighten up and put education before games.
-- Jeanne L. Ferriter, St. Petersburg

Being free isn't easy or cheap

Re: Too many guns and lawyers, letter, Aug. 27.

The letter writer says that, in his judgment, it's a "national disgrace" that Americans risk being shot or sued more than any other people on Earth.

The obvious implication embodied in those facts is that being free people is neither easy nor cheap. Our access to the nation's Constitution, whether through the courts or via freedom to own firearms, is living evidence of our national legacy of freedom and justice.

People from every corner of the world are lined up to live in America. I think I understand how the letter writer thinks. As for me, I'll take my chances.
-- James C. Parker, Tampa

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