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Change Equals Higher Taxes For More Welfare Programs

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 1, 2009

Change Equals Higher Taxes For More Welfare Programs

This will sound a like an unusual request in a letter to the editor, but I hope you readers will indulge me. The recently passed, 1,100 page "stimulus bill" was enacted into law so quickly that virtually no one had the time to read it before having to vote on it.

The bill will send billions of dollars to the states for entitlements like Head Start programs, unemployment benefits, Medicaid and other welfare programs.

So, by a show of hands, let me know how many of you think this bill will be good for our country. I imagine there are quite a few hands up the air right now. So, now let me ask how many of you still think the bill is a good one, even though the federal money will run out in a year or two? There are probably still quite a few hands up.

How many of you think that the Republican governors, who have stated they will not accept this federal money from the bill, are wrong in their thinking? There are probably still a lot of hands up, especially here in Florida.

Ok, here's the kicker. Those Republican governors actually took the time to read the bill, and have discovered something in it that their Democratic counterparts don't want you to know. When the state accepts the federal money from the "stimulus bill," the welfare entitlements it is funding will become permanent law for that state. The state will be required by law to keep those programs going.

And, after the money from the bill runs out, where do you think that money will come from? You got it: Our taxes will have to be raised to keep funding these programs. So, now let me see a show of hands of those of you who don't care that we will be hit by new, higher taxes. Not many hands still up in the air anymore, I'd wager.

So, to those of you who voted for Barack Obama in November, how do you like your "hope" and "change" now? I just "hope" that I will have some "change" left in my pocket after these new taxes kick in!

Russ Colombo

Spring Hill

Rewarding Failure

You know, when you're raising a child, sometimes they have to be punished. Sometimes rewarded, but always loved. This is not a time to reward those responsible for the failures. They are no longer children. It is time for tough love!

The big money brokers, lenders, banking and insurance consortiums have robbed the American people from Hernando County on and many out-of-county investors. The management of these institutionshave been incompetently negligent, if not down right criminally at fault.

Most of the people I talk to blame it on the folks in Washington, as well, for passing faulty legislation that has allowed the deceitful practices to accumulate unchecked because of incompetent and/or unqualified government oversight and regulation.

There is no shortage of newscast carrying President Obama's speeches contributing the financial crisis as the failure of the previous administrations tax reduction policies. I ask this: Is it not true that it has been the Democratic majority in the legislative body for the past two years loading the budgetary bills for the financing of our war effort, the funding of our troops, with pork that has really driven the deficit so high?

Instead of any bailouts going to these businesses, we believe criminal investigations should be going on into the shared irresponsible acts of both the banking, investment and insurance businesses and any and all government representatives, employees, lobbyists, campaign funding and contractors who had any part of making the faulty legislation, overseeing such and the greedy business CEO's and all employees not reporting the practices that have led to this country being brought to its knees, and in jeopardy of being weakened to the point that any enemy may be able to advantage their positions against us.

It is this simple to almost everyone I speak with.

In conclusion, simply put: The government, with wealthy institutions, devised means to manipulate funds and funding that would and has lead to the most extreme and unprecedented hardships on clients, constituents and offspring; and has burdened them with results to cost all beyond any previous known or acceptable monetary measurement, jeopardizing the security and safety of our Country and each and every one of its citizens beyond any previous known measure.

But we fear knowing there is not, and has not been, any to have stepped forward to either accept responsibility or apologize that there probably are not any such responsible people, either as corporate heads or government representatives, left with any ethical conscience to feel shame or remorse about the cataclysmic failure they have subjected the citizens of our country to.

I think it would be completely legitimate to request all involved to immediately step down and forfeit any due pay and benefits and further be barred from ever serving in any such capacities again.

And if they don't... Well, then, maybe it's time for: "How ya doin' Pres. Petreas?"

Michael L. Farahay

Weeki Wachee

No Bidding Needed

If all the facts in the article "Bidding for Beach Rights" are correct, why would Hernando County even consider allowing outside bids in 2011 for the snack bar, Willy's Tropical Breeze, at Pine Island?

Mr. Kochounian has run the beach bar for 18 years, adding improvements at no cost to the county taxpayers. He even locks the gates up at night. I think the saying "If it's not broke, don't fix it" would apply here.

I hope the county commissioners will rethink sending the contract for the snack bar out for bid and give Mr. Kochounian a new contract in 2011.

Patsy Giella

Brooksville

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