Callers comment on GRU rates, a substitute teacher shortage and more in the last Sound Off
This will be the last edition of Sound Off. Thanks to callers for all the comments they have provided.
• GRU just came to my house to turn my electricity off because I had only paid $300 on a bill that was $500. I’ve lived in Gainesville almost 50 years, and this is double what I’ve ever paid before. So, needless to say, I paid it, but $500 is half of my total monthly income from Social Security. We’ve got to do something about this. I have to choose between food and paying my electricity bill. In the style of Mr. Rogers: “Kids, can you say ‘Clay Electric?’” It would really help if the University of Florida would buy its electricity from GRU and not Duke Energy. However, in the contract, if the university decides to buy from GRU, it must say that this will guarantee lowering the bills of regular citizens.
• It’s a known fact that there is a grave shortage of substitute teachers in Alachua County. If you wish to increase the number of available substitutes, you need to increase the daily rate of pay for substitutes.
More Sound Off:
Callers comment on duplexes in Gainesville, Ben Sasse, GRU and more
Callers comment on pedestrian safety, Hurricane Ian and more
Callers comment on the Wild Spaces, Public Places tax and more
• I recently heard a man from a nearby community harshly complain that people in liberal Gainesville consider southerners, such as himself, to be rural bumpkins worthy of disrespect because of their southern heritage. I thought about his point, and realized my own family and other families I know are proof his claim is bogus. My dad grew up in a poor family in rural Georgia, but later was part of the original Antifa — the U.S. Army in World War II. My mother’s family lived in Virginia when slavery came to America in 1619. They possibly were among the earliest slave owners. Both of my parents had ancestors who were Confederates, which I regret, but it doesn’t make me feel ashamed like Gov. DeSantis says it should. People adhere to the hateful MAGA ideology because they choose it. They aren’t deplorable because of their ancestors or because of the place they were born. It’s because every day they have the opportunity to live decent lives, but decide a life of bigotry fits them better.
• The UF Faculty Senate overwhelmingly had the “no confidence” vote for Sen. Sasse as president of UF. If he continues and accepts the job, that will be a loud and clear message that he is not coming to be a leader to faculty and students at UF, but only to pander to the politicians in Tallahassee.
• I am really tired of hearing the word “inflation.” It is not inflation because it’s being brought on by Washington; it is being brought on by manufacturers, so why don’t we call it “manuflation?” Because they’re the ones that have made all of the decisions to increase children’s candy, clothing, groceries, on and on and on. And every time I have to hear someone on TV say, “Inflation,” well, let’s call it what it really is, OK? Because we’re sending the wrong message to all the people here in the United States.
• Several Republican politicians have condemned the violent attack against Nancy Pelosi’s husband, but I agree with Joe Biden, who said you can’t condemn the violence without condemning the lies and conspiracy theories that have caused the violence. After all the recounts in all the states and all the investigations throughout the country proved Trump was lying, hardly any Republican politicians or right-wing media hosts stood up to Trump. Now, nationwide, 250 candidates are running on Trump’s lies of election fraud. God help our country if they win.
• Marjorie Taylor Green has it all wrong. Democrats don’t want Republicans dead, as she says — they want honorable opponents. Again, as in days past, instead of the dark and violent, bombastic extremists, true conservative Republican candidates would be welcomed adversaries. Remember Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill, Everett Dirksen and President Lyndon Johnson — and, more recently, Ted Kennedy and McCain? We could do this.
• American democracy works when people see and respect the value and rights of others. If I defend your rights, you’re more likely to defend mine. However, too many Republicans assert there is a zero-sum result for every human rights dispute. If I recognize your rights, I’ll lose mine; if people of your race have good lives if people of your religion or your gender have good lives, my life will be worse. Every disagreement justifies total war. Is there a single GOP leader in our community who will speak out to support American democracy?
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Calls on GRU rates, the substitute teacher shortage, Ben Sasse, more
