Make Doge work
Doge will be deeply reduced to federal workforce | February 25th
A 20% reduction in federal payroll saves less than $60 billion. Savings are directed towards building boundary walls and illegally deporting people here. Therefore, the annual deficit is between $1 trillion and $1.8 trillion.
If tariffs are a step towards solvency, why not combine it with tax increases on all incomes above $350,000? We ask workers to pay more for essentials. Why not let the lucky people pay?
If you have a plan behind this rather dim approach that will significantly reduce the number of federal employees, share it. Perhaps they will raise $2 trillion to overcome the deficit and begin retiring from debt. You need a better plan.
Michael Swisher spends St. Petelbergreckles
USAID cuts have already hit countries around the world. March 2nd
Many of these projects seem extremely valuable and would be great if they were richly funded. If I, as an individual, donate to charities as a percentage of my income, people would generally praise my altruism. But if I borrowed money to give beyond my means, people would say this is reckless and unsustainable. This is what the federal government is doing. Federal taxes do not fully cover our critical services, including safety, security, home welfare, social security, and other federal responsibilities. For all these 20 projects listed, we borrow money to fund them. Is it responsible or is it reckless?
David Hagan, Tampa
Charity at home
USAID cuts have already hit countries around the world. March 2nd
When I read an article on how USAID Cuts are hitting countries all over the world, my first thought was when did the US become the caretaker of the world? Some people still live in tents in North Carolina, waiting for government assistance. Homeless veterans have a hard time surviving. These are the people who breathed life into protecting our nation. California fire victims are still waiting for assistance. The charity starts at home.
Natalie Sacco, Palm Harbor
Oval office failure
Zelenskyy leaves the White House without signing a mineral trade March 1st
I had to watch three videos of my elliptical office blunders. I was embarrassed by the actions of the leaders of my country, who should be the leader of the free world.
I tried to intentionally ambush the Ukrainian President Voldime Zelenkie school, behaving as if the mafia were lectured on their clients, giving him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and bullying him like a tough guy in the schoolyard. In effect, they were robbing the Russian murderer dictator, who never tried to hide their intentions to replicate the old Russian Empire.
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In his attempt to make the “next big deal,” President Donald Trump is about to discover that Vladimir Putin will sign a peace promise with strokes on his ego and break those promises just as he has almost every international treaty he has signed.
For my 76 years, I have not felt so embarrassed about my country.
Ron Scoggins, St. Petersburg
How about Dem?
2026 Governor’s Race: Is this the best Republicans have to offer? | Column, March 2nd
The Sunday Times column by Diane Roberts is the usual one-sided liberal whine we constantly get from your papers and Democrats. Republicans are portrayed as evil and incompetent.
Why doesn’t Roberts give his opinion on who is having these obviously crazy, out of control Donald Trump Rump kisses?
There are a few suggestions.
Why not try running Charlie Christ again? He lost only 1.5 million votes against Gov. Ron DeSantis. If Roberts is right about their incompetence, then Cristo should be able to wipe out any of these possible Republican candidates. He should be able to easily overcome that near 20 points loss.
Or even better: Run Andrew Gillm again! He only lost 32,000 votes, but then he became drug rehabilitation.
I’m sure there are some other possible Democratic candidates, but Roberts should let us know who they are. They should start the campaign as soon as possible. They will fight hard first.
Doug Hardin, Dade City
Fluoride in water
Florida Fluoride Frenzy is hurting my teeth | Line, March 2nd
We would like to thank columnist John Hill for doing homework with fluoride for us and county commissioner Josh Wostal, as well as commissioners Donna Cameron Cepeda and Christine Miller for denial of his fellow fluoride. Thankfully, we have at least three other commissioners who care about the facts.
Richard Warrenner, Tampa
The time for corruption is ripe
If someone wants to rifle government finances, how do they do it?
First, they fire the inspectors of the office as it is the responsibility of IG to prevent fraud, theft, and tor and protect whistleblowers from retaliation. check.
Second, they fire employees who are not “loyal” to the current administration. check.
Third, they eliminate the Department of Justice’s ability to investigate criminal conduct by making deep layoffs, enacting suspicious instructions, and engaging in intimidation. check.
Do you have any questions?
Steve Burnhart, Spring Hill
Name Game
With the Gulf of Mexico changed to the Gulf of America, Canada is next. Let’s call it a good US!
Sun City Centre, Joe Birnbaum
Dangerous times
Trump, Doge promises more cuts | February 27th
What do you think is going on:
– Will men with no government experience at the federal, state, or local level become our country’s second most powerful individual?
– Will our President dismiss our military leaders, including the chairman of the co-director, without citing performance issues?
– Is our president trying to eliminate hundreds of thousands of federal employees for no reason for a digital pink slip?
-Does our President impose his will on the foreign and domestic policies of our allies?
– Will our institutions of higher education lose critical thinking in favor of one political thinking?
– Should higher education students postpone to the will of the board to learn new definitions of religious freedom, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition, and freedom of press?
– Americans can no longer identify “checks and balances” between the three branches of the government.
-Is our media gradually succumbing to the will of the President and his party?
-Is our judicial system compromised by political parties?
What do you think?
Arthur Hebert, Lago
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Submit your letter at www.tampabay.com/opinion/submit-letter/. The letters are edited for clarity and length.
