Letters to the editor for Saturday, March 11, 2023

Talk about vulgarity

I was a bit dismayed when I read recently about the objections from citizens concerning the gay pride day at Cambier Park. Their general theme of contention was they were trying to protect their children from various forms of vulgarity. I wonder if these same folks are concerned about any of the following:

The vulgar F (spelled out) Biden stickers and flags on cars and trucks parading our roads. The effeminate colored SUV on display at a North Naples grocery store with the F Biden plastered on the side. The almost daily hate speech and policies put forth by “Strong Man” DeSantis and rubber stamped by his “Banana Republic” legislative sycophants against the most vulnerable of our society, gays, transgender and African Americans. Does all of this not corrupt our youth to lack compassion for those who are different?

What about the pickup truck I witnessed this past summer parked in the center of Mercato shopping district on a Saturday afternoon with a gigantic flag flying out of the bed saying TRUMP F (spelled out) Your Feelings, is this not a blatant display of vulgarity?

In closing, if you were really concerned about protecting our youth, you would vote for stricter gun laws to avoid mass school slaughter. You would vote out vulgar Republicans who consistently attempt to make our society less safe, sicker and more divisive. Also stop shopping at the grocery store owned by a major supporter of the Capitol riot and attempted overthrow of our government.

Joe Russo, Naples

Grateful in Cape Coral

Down Syndrome Supported Living Inc. (DSSL) would like to express gratitude to the City of Cape Coral for a Community Development Block Grant. The CDBG allowed for the replacing two outdated air conditioning units and a new roof. The timing of the roof could not have been more perfect as Hurricane Ian did significant damage. The CDBG also provided funds to purchase new stoves and refrigerators for each side of the duplex. A special thanks to the dedicated staff in the Department of Development Services. Their mission is to provide services and programs that enhance community value.

The ongoing success of DSSL relies on donations from private citizens, public grants and charitable organizations like the Cape Royal Community Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and the Cape Coral Community Foundation.

Peter Alexsy, president, Down Syndrome Supported Living Inc., Cape Coral

Reinstate Joe Trachtenberg

I read Joe Trachtenberg’s guest opinion piece in Sunday’s paper, and I think the Collier Board of County Commissioners should reconsider their decision to fire a volunteer who has been actively looking for solutions to our affordable housing problem and addressing multiple groups across the community to bring the problem to the surface. The BCC has reconsidered things before to correct and reverse votes. I think they should do it again. His email may have been considered pushy by the BCC but isn’t that the type of person they want to help them reach solutions to the problem facing us all? Let’s rehire Joe and work with him to find solutions to a problem that we all agree needs immediate attention.

Peter Sharkey, Naples

Appreciate prompt response

I wish to recognize outstanding service from Justin Lighthall of Lee County Solid Waste Department. We had a couple of instances where our trash was not collected until the day following when it was scheduled. I was pleasantly surprised that he got back with me the very same day and promised to look into it.He followed through and the very next day Arthur Davis, the route manager from Waste Management, called with an explanation of what happened. I am very pleasantly surprised at the prompt response of these employees.Michele Smith, South Fort Myers

Biden best despite faults

In response to a challenge from a conservative Republican friend who labels me a staunch, myopic Democrat (I am actually an Independent), I am outlining three major faults/flaws that I concede could be ascribed to President Biden:

1. Although I view Biden as a capable and honorable statesman, I fault him for letting his strong desire to serve bias his judgment in favor of seeking reelection. His age, stamina, and questionable health are flaws that make him vulnerable to attack from young, energetic, Machiavellian demagogues, like DeSantis. And given the cited flaws, electing Biden might be tantamount to electing his VP choice as president.

2. I fault Biden, along with our six preceding presidents, for not formulating and articulating a comprehensive, equitable, and humane immigration policy. Granted, this is a vexing problem, but one that needs to be resolved forthwith before a draconian solution is implemented by Republicans.

3. I fault Biden, along with every president since Truman, for not managing and reducing the national debt, which is unsustainable at $31 trillion.

I believe it is a critical necessity to be open minded and fair in evaluating all political parties and their politicians.

But all the above Biden flaws notwithstanding, I still contend that Biden was preferable to "Big Lie" Trump, and would definitely be preferable to Trump's acolytes, DeSantis and Haley.

Ed OKeefe, Bonita Springs

DeSantis risks female vote

Ron DeSantis: I wasn’t happy with the Supremes reversing Roe v Wade, but felt female Floridians were accommodated with a 15 week abortion ban. Now, the Florida Legislature wants to move it to a six week ban.If you sign it, please realize how many female votes you will lose. Mine included and I have been a loyal Republican for years. I dare say, you will lose the election. You keep saying “Florida free,” but how are female Floridians free to decide when you restrict them to a six week decision, one that isn’t realized for way past six weeks?If you want the presidency and need the female vote, I ask that you really reconsider signing this legislation limiting abortion to six weeks.Cindy Emmerich, Cape Coral

Let's use common sense

We're too often at odds with our friends and family over so many issues mainly because we're stubbornly faithful to our tribe, our side of the political divide. Wouldn't an allegiance to common sense, rather than party, serve both sides better?For instance, shouldn't we look logically at left-leaning policies like student loan forgiveness and reparations? Isn't it rational to pay back loans we willingly incur. On reparations, it doesn't make sense to pay people today for horrible injustices their ancestors experienced in the 1800s. These programs are not only counter-intuitive: they're fiscally irresponsible. Promoting give-away programs only gives those on the right ammunition to use against the left. On another sensitive issue, many Dems are hesitant to vocalize their understandable reluctance to elect someone who would be serving in his mid-80s.

On the flip side, the right should face reality when facts and common sense dispute the foolishness spewed by their leaders. Trump, Greene, Santos Kari Lake, Fox News hosts, and so many misguided and wacky conspiracists are most satisfied when they're deceiving us. Is there anything logical about both McCarthy and McConnell publicly stating that Trump was responsible for the insurrection and then incomprehensibly saying they would support him if he's the party's nominee? Blind allegiance to a liar or to outrageous, unprovable fantasies leads to a world where craziness rules.

A reasonable start would be to accept the fact that Biden won and the fact that Trump lost and then he criminally conspired to overthrow the will of the voters. He's still peddling the big lie to his fans who want it to be true. They choose to believe that which is observably false. The insurrectionists violently attacked the Capitol with very bad intentions. They should be incarcerated, not honored and promised pardons.

On all these issues, there are videos, emails, and texts that demand a thoughtful examination, and should be reviewed. The Billy Bush tape, with Trump's despicable comments about women, is real. Trump's phone call to the Georgia secretary of State to alter that state's returns is real. The Fox News hosts' emails and texts, admitting the idiocy of prolonging the big lie but accepting it as good for business, are real.On both sides we should support that which makes sense and is supported by the facts, even if a sane, reasonable approach disappoints the overzealous airheads at the extremes.

Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs

Trying to control us

After reading about the new legislative session and it's plans it feels to me like they are not representing us but trying to control us.

Joseph Irvin, Fort Myers

Saving Social Security

Social Security is probably the most popular program in the United States, being essentially a national retirement system. It’s a third rail that no politician wants to step on. We have been hearing for years about how it is going to become insolvent in the foreseeable future. The first point to be made, of which many are not aware, is that there is no Social Security trust fund. Payments go to the general fund, and payments out come from that same source. The fiscal failure of Social Security simply refers to a future date when payments exceed income.

There are options that should NOT be taken. One is the privatization of Social Security, perhaps one of the most inane ideas to be floated on the topic. This is a national program, not a business, and there is nothing to be gained by turning it over to any other group. The current head of the system, which is likely one the largest “businesses” in the nation, earns in the neighborhood of $200,000. Compare that to the heads of major corporations who earn millions, even if their companies are losing money. We do not need to add another siphon to the money pot. Another no-no is reducing benefits. Social Security income is not that large as it is, and a reduction would severely hurt a significant number of people.

The solution is quite simple. Remove the annual income cap on payments. Currently there is a maximum income subject to Social Security withholding. There is no such limitation on income tax. This approach alone would push the tipping date further into the future. Another measure would also help. Establish a Social Security trust fund. These funds could be (very) conservatively invested, helping to grow the fund beyond only worker contributions.

Gordon R. Ultsch, Ph.D., Cape Coral

Dems economic incompetents

After a quick read of the Biden administration's new tax plan, it is easy to understand why Warren Buffet has labeled Democrats as economic incompetents. Or was it moronic? The liberal mantra is always to have corporations pay their fair share. I have mentioned to you before that corporations do not pay taxes. They just have an added expense that will be passed on to the consumer of their goods and services. You know, the same folks who are currently battling liberal policy induced inflation while watching their retirement funds dwindle. I know you will fully endorse this liberal foolishness as you are a long-time member of the incompetent team.

Don Rader, Naples

Insurrection tapes charade

After receiving thousands of hours of film footage from the January 6th insurrection from Kevin McCarthy -- as terrible as that is -- Fox had the audacity to show cherry-picked segments on Tucker Carlson’s telecast depicting a few of the calmer moments and labeling them as average citizens expressing their First Amendment rights in a peaceful manner. This after released depositions from the Dominion $1.6 billion libel suit showed Tucker’s passionate disdain for the perpetrator-in-chief. As if hundreds of millions who have watched the tapes for over two years will fall prey to this charade is beyond comprehension. Of course millions of staunch Fox lemmings will lap this up because this is their one and only source of information.

Just when you thought these episodes were finally ebbing, leave it to Fox to dredge up stench like this and expect disciples to follow. Why not, it worked before.

Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral

DeSantis cancels culture

DeSantis is banning books from schools that are contrary to his agenda. DeSantis talks about cancel culture. It's very obvious that he is canceling culture. He talks about freedom, but he is canceling the freedom of speech, women's rights, truthful history, honest education, etc. These are not "alternative facts."

Tom Beck, Naples

Calendar Girls assist veterans

The Calendar Girls are a group of women over 55 who raise money for Southeastern Guide Dogs ofPalmetto, Florida. Over the years they have sponsored 29 dogs at $5,000 a piece. All the puppies they sponsor are for our heroic veterans with PTSD. The ladies have changed many lives and saved many marriages.They practice and perform every week in the area. Just recently a film documentary was released across the country and in Europe. It won many awards. Look it up on Amazon and see how hard they work and the bonds of sisterhood they have formed.

Gail Gagliardi, Cape Coral

GOP grows debt, weaponizes it

The debt ceiling has been raised 78 times since 1960. It was raised a record 18 times during the Reagan administration, eight times in the Clinton administration, seven times during the George W. Bush administration and five times for Obama. The Reagan administration tripled the national debt — the largest ever, percentage-wise, in eight years. Only the hypocritical Republican Party has used the debt ceiling as a weapon, or hostage — and only when there was a Democratic president. The fact is that since 1960 the GOP created considerably more of the national debt than did the Democrats.

During the Clinton administration in 1995-96 the GOP and then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich shut down the government for 21 days, mainly to cut welfare for the poor and budget issues. Then, in 2011 and 2013 the GOP and Speaker John Boehner shut down the government, attempting to defund ACA (Obamacare) and other social programs. The Republican Party is responsible for the downgrading of our credit rating for the first time in history by “Standard & Poor’s” — from AAA to AA.

There have been 17 recessions over the last 100 years, 13 under the GOP. Roosevelt inherited the “Great Depression” from Hoover. Obama inherited the “Great Recession” from George W. Bush, and Biden inherited a failing economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the loss of some 18 million jobs from the Trump administration.

Conclusion: There are only two things at which the GOP excels, giving tax breaks to the wealthy, and taking whatever they can from the poor people in America.

E. L. “Bud” Ruff, Naples

Making America 'great'

I have a great idea.

Let's empty all the libraries and schools of books that the politicians don't like, take them to the village square and burn them. This will make America great again.

Let's do away with voting and let the politicians decide who should rule. This will make America great again.

Let's vilify and insult the science of immunology and let the politicians decide vaccines for polio, measles, smallpox, and others including COVID-19 and then turn the process over to politicians and some dermatologists. This will make America great again.

Let's bully our teachers and professors with felony convictions if they teach adversity and let the politicians decide the narrow philosophy. This will make America great again.

If you believe in the above actions, you believe that a few should control the many, and any diversity will be punished. Remember that powerful men or women can make powerful mistakes.

I wonder what Mickey Mouse will look like in a three-piece suit?

Richard Ferreira, Bonita Springs

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Saturday, March 11, 2023