Can Trump fix national debt? | June 2nd
Budget deficit
One of the issues that the Times needs to look further is the large federal debt. It is essentially a large “elephant in the room.” Kicking the can, kicking the road never continues to work, makes the Great Threatening 1930s look pale. I think it’s a powder keg ready to explode.
It’s ridiculous that annual interest payments on debt exceed $1 trillion. So the question is whether we will bite a bullet to solve this problem, or will we make us laugh until we spend our enemies forgetting.
Sun City Centre, Frank Noyvilles
Can Trump fix national debt? | June 2nd
Tax increase
Our politicians are especially rich, when they self-interested the country and raised taxes. Maybe I’m not happy, but I’ll pay extra taxes for the benefit of the country.
Taxes were much higher in the past and the economy was still good. People seem to want all the benefits, but they don’t want to pay them. When Snap (Food Stamp) benefits run out, all those who receive benefits that voted for Republicans will find themselves stepping in.
The only time a Republican elected in Washington is worried about debt is when Democrats control the government. I feel sorry for those who really need help, but as long as the general attitude on the right side of the political aisle continues, many people feel the pain.
James Harazin, St. Petersburg
Can Trump fix national debt? | June 2nd
Spin War
For decades, Republicans have managed to convince voters that they are stronger at fostering healthy economies than Democrats, despite empirical evidence to the contrary. They convinced voters that Ronald Reagan’s “trickle-down economy” would work, but in reality they never did. President Donald Trump has run a campaign saying, “I can fix it on my own,” but it appears he and the majority of Congress are not going to do so. This latest “Big Beautiful Bill” is a complex mess of obfuscation designed to benefit only wealthy donors at the expense of the average taxpayer.
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Terry R. Arnold, Treasure Island
Push to vote Republican citizenship evidence proves tough sell | June 4th
What is the answer?
This article raised questions of relational formulas throughout the subject of election qualifications I have had for many years. Witness, you must be a US citizen to vote in federal elections. To become a naturalized US citizen, you need to “demonstrate your ability to read, write and speak basic English.” Given these requirements, which one is already in force, why are voting and voting instructions printed in languages other than English? Has anyone got the answer?
John SV Weiss, Spring Hill
The judge blocked Florida immigration law. Police arrest 25 anyway | June 1st
Immigrant arrest
I have two issues with this family member who has arrested an immigrant. For one, how this is taken away from the real work of the Florida Highway Patrol. Who arrests traffic criminals? No one has said my experience on Interstate 275. So many people drive irregularly, we have our lives in our hands driving from St. Petersburg to Tampa.
The second disturbing idea is, why are the Attorney General and the Law Officers not following the law? When a judge makes a decision, law enforcement is to follow it. Our entire society is broken due to the lawlessness of presidents and governors like Ron DeSantis. DeSantis is quoted as saying, “Obviously, the states trying to prove federal policies are fine.” But obviously, if the law prohibits this behavior, it must be stopped.
Angelimeson, St. Petersburg
Florida Makes Roundup Bust of Immigrants | June 4th
An unnecessary distraction
Does John Hill’s column on pushing to criminalize immigrants wonder what missions are being ignored by law enforcement as they target immigrants instead?
Are they ignoring drug dealers? Do they check their fishing licenses? Are they keeping our schools safe? Our dark alley? Are they chasing after white-collar criminals who are likely to steal our hard-earned savings? Or are they just targeting Boogaiman?
Scenes from across the country reveal that immigration and customs enforcement are draining the labor required for our country to grow. Not only do I think Florida follows the same template, but I can’t actually keep us safe from the real criminals between us.
Patward, St. Petersburg
Florida State Legislators approach budget contracts | May 31
Fixed Asset Tax
If Tallahassee lawmakers really want to improve the living conditions of Florida residents, they shouldn’t do that by eliminating property taxes.
Instead:
1. Give additional exemptions to homeowners who qualify for a Homestead exemption.
2. Properly regulate the entire insurance industry to benefit all property owners.
3. Suppress development by creating a plan to consider reusing existing properties through upgrades, renovations and replacements. Before approving a new construction, consider the environmental, economic and social impacts of the new development.
Before you make a new purchase, ask, “Do you really need to buy it?” That’s part of what depends on creating a budget.
Allison Ross, Tampa
After Ono’s rejection, what will be next for the University of Florida? | June 4th
Santa Ono
Florida lawmakers, along with President Donald Trump, have transformed higher education and long considered the cornerstone of America’s upward mobility, becoming a political punch bag. Efforts to expand the opportunity to a pool of more applicants are now considered “awakening” and denying the opportunity for qualified administrators to lead one of the state’s leading universities. Good luck.
Joseph Brown, Tampa
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Submit your letter at www.tampabay.com/opinion/submit-letter/. The letters are edited for clarity and length.
