Letters to the editor for Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Inflation and the Left's blame game

Here is a way to look at inflation. For something that cost $1 when Trump took office in 2017, that same item would cost $1.08 when he left office four years later. For something that cost $1 when Biden took office in 2021, in just less than two years that same item would now cost $1.15. It is a huge hidden tax on all of us. If this continues at the current rate of inflation, that item will cost $1.31 when Biden's four years are up. Thank you President Biden and the Democrats.

The Left knows no bounds for trying to switch blame. They are actually blaming the Right for the crisis at the border. Their reasoning is that it is those on the Right who are constantly talking about the open border and that is what is encouraging the migrants to cross the border illegally. Using their same logic, it is then the Left who are responsible for threats to democracy, racism, hate speech, conspiracy theories, disinformation, and violence just to name a few.

Ron Wobbeking, Naples

'Sweeter deals' for insurance companies

I read with dismay and disbelief the details of the “sweeter deals” insurance companies will receive as a result of recent legislation passed by the Florida Legislature. One critical question went unasked: How much money do the insurance companies donate each year to their Republican friends in the Legislature? It sure looks like a case of “he who pays the piper calls the tune.”

Gail Hermosilla, Estero

Mistreatment of animals

Regarding Carolyn Varnos' editorial "Let dogs have their day." What does it say about a society that requires over 100 animal welfare agencies, 969 wildlife sanctuaries, 3,254 animal service organizations and 25,000 animal shelters? It is true that more people are treating their pets with high regard but, sadly, many still treat them with casual disregard and, worse, with neglect and abuse. I am also troubled by our society's tacit approval of confining jungle animals in zoos. All wild animals carry centuries of genetic lineage combined with instincts that inform them to hunt, roam and protect their territory. To confine them in zoos , even within areas that are supposed to mimic a natural environment, results in extreme boredom and frustration. This is the cruelest situation to inflict on an animal being.

John Agresti, Fort Myers

What now for insurance commissioner?

With the announcement of Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier's resignation from the Florida Insurance Department, after requesting and helping put more monies into the pockets of insurance companies, the immediate question is "which property insurance company will David Altmaier become one of their top executives?"

Mickey Glantz, Naples

Too much focus on negative stories

I opened with interest your year in pictures contained within The News-Press. I found myself quickly disappointed as your editors chose to focus the majority of their attention on negative stories from 2022. Surely in this season, and time of hope, you can certainly find some balance with all the good that occurred in our country and around the world in 2022. Hopefully next year you will have a more balanced view.

Michael Fox, Punta Gorda

Fireworks could be needed boost for spirits

While the safety issues of beach assess are understandable as reasoning to cancel the New Year’s Eve fireworks, was there consideration of the other side of the coin that Naples needs an uplift after Ian’s devastation, heartbreak and loss?

Mary Jo Bovich, Naples

Overcoming bigotry

Thank you for the article on overcoming bigotry. Jews and African-Americans have many things in common. From being enslaved in Egypt or in the Americas to being persecuted by many bigoted people throughout the years. Unfortunately, despite having been very active in the civil rights movement, we Jews have sometimes shown prejudice against African-Americans and more recently some African-Americans have expressed anti-Semitic tropes.This article goes a long way to address those issues. May we all share a very happy Hanukkah together, regardless of color or origin.

Kenneth Wetcher, Naples

Dems fear competition from DeSantis

The Washington Post signals the mainstream media's fight against Gov. Ron DeSantis's run for the 2024 presidency has officially begun. It's a sign Democrats and their sycophants fear competition from a successful Republican governor of a large, successful state. Competence is a threat to the Democratic Party’s model of governance where fealty to progressive ideas rules.DeSantis's performance getting the vaccine distributed was laudable and without fanfare or forced errors, unlike that of whiny New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the city's Mayor DiBlasio.What DeSantis did that Democrat governors refused to do was drop the mask mandates when they no longer made sense, get people back to work and kids back to school, and get the economy running again. It saved Florida residents' livelihoods and limited the social damage to out-of-school children, a problem now acknowledged by scientists and educators as severe. Instead, most Democratic governors kept the masked mandates in place far too long, desperately clinging to power despite non-existent or no longer relevant scientific evidence.The Post is critical of the “transparency” lawsuit recently filed by DeSantis. The editorial states “now he (DeSantis) has taken it a step further with a petition to the Florida Supreme Court seeking empanelment of a statewide grand jury — which in Florida can carry out broader investigations of government — on vaccines." DeSantis wants to bring the opaqueness of the vaccine episode into the light of day for all to see. Who could possibly have a problem with that?

Bill Korstad, Naples

Biden's sorry record

To the letter writer who wrote that Biden has done a wonderful job, with great respect sir, you are delusional. Let’s start with the Dow. So far this year down 3,417.44. Trillions of dollars wiped out including people's life savings and 401(k) plans.

Yes gas prices have fallen but not through anything Biden did. It’s Biden’s recession that is causing gas prices to fall -- lack of demand. Grocery prices at record highs. A devastating war in Ukraine, easily preventable under a different administration, a deplorable swap with Russia for one of the world’s most dangerous men, leaving behind a former Marine. Mind you Biden has a habit of leaving behind our brave service people -- 13 in Afghanistan who ended up dead, plus 800 million dollars of our weapons, now in the hands of the Taliban.

And last but not least our open borders with thousands of migrants entering our country daily plus all the drugs they are bringing in.

I could go on but you know the rest. Finally did you hear that President Carter was heard recently to yell: finally I am not the worst president in our history.

Michael Adler, Miromar Lakes

Overwhelmed by immigrants

Advocates for immigrants say the U.S. is abandoning its longstanding history and commitment to offer refuge to people around the world fleeing persecution!

I’m sure the Border Patrol is on duty 24 hours a day, but Homeland Security isn’t staffed to handle these masses all at once!

I don’t think the U.S. ever offered or expected migrants bombarding our border by the thousands at any one time.

They must realize there will be delays and plan for that when they leave their home country in droves.

I’m sure Ellis Island had a better plan. Why should border crossings be any different today?

God bless America.

Dick Jones, Naples and Ocean City, NJ

Thank the Democrats

House of Representatives voted to pass a stopgap spending bill. The vote was 224 to 221 with nine Republicans joining Democrats. Congress was unable to pass a full year's spending bill. A bipartisan agreement is too challenging.

Republicans are critical of recent domestic spending by Democrats and argue that measures they've passed -- like a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill and sweeping health care and climate legislation -- are wasteful and will worsen inflation. Democrats counter by saying they were necessary to help the country recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to tackle other critical issues.

Thank the Democrats.

Lewis Robinson, Fort Myers

Naples deserves better

Regarding the Dec. 14 article in the Naples Daily News on our mayor, it is appalling, but not surprising, that she has been publicly accused by the Florida Commission on Ethics of misusing her power as mayor of Naples. I have personally attended several City Council meetings where she presided with a cynical, clearly biased, attitude. This unfit for office woman, or any person in her position, should be fined if found guilty, the maximum $10,000 and, if possible, removed from office. Naples deserves better, and the voters will certainly have the opportunity to elect an honest, ethical person at the next election.

Charles A. Brown, Naples

Trump's latest grift hilarious and sad

Just when you think our politics can’t get any crazier, the buffoon from Mar-a-Lago announces his offering of digital trading cards in his likeness. The world’s greatest charlatan is charging $99 for this ridiculous collection. He’s fleecing those in his base foolish enough to buck up to support his egomaniacal venture. Sadly, this loser will raise millions.Those of us who recognize this grift for what it is are amazed at the extent to which this would-be superhero will stoop to pad his own pockets. Each of the cards is laughable, depicting a noticeably slimmed down Trump in a variety of heroic roles. Hilarious and sad.We’ve wondered through the years what could be the final straw to end people’s devotion to this clown. A partial list includes: the Billy Bush tapes, the numerous groping allegations against this misogynist, his suggestion to ingest disinfectant to prevent or cure COVID, the impeachments, the attempt to overturn the election results.His popularity is waning. This swindle might be the last gasp of a desperate, greedy man. We can only hope. I’ll stick with my Mickey Mantle and Willy Mays cards, and pray that this phony doesn’t con too many unfortunate dupes out of ninety-nine bucks.

Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs

Deficit spending behind inflation

Enjoy the various views of writers on your letters page but one was really off the wall re: inflation and then complains re: disinformation!

The writer states "Economics 101-inflation is caused by corporate greed of the uber rich." Good luck finding an economist that would agree. One of the primary drivers of our current inflation is our government's out of control deficit spending. As out debt increases the value of the dollar lessens and sellers demand more for their products.

James Cavanagh, Naples

Naples tradition reopens

It took two and a half months to recover from the hurricane, but the Cove Inn Cafe is finally open.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Cove Inn Cafe, it has been a Naples tradition for the last 43 years and has the best breakfast in town. It is located at the south end of 9th Street at the bay.

James Moritz, Naples

Sophisticated scam

I am a local lawyer, and I’d like to propose a relevant legal topic to include in your publication to put people on new notice of the ubiquitous timeshare scam with a twist. These are timeshare resale scams where scam artists solicit to purchase high-end time shares, typically located in Mexico. It is difficult to identify a sophisticated timeshare scam because these scam artists are hiding behind real identities of registered businesses and licensed professionals, they have presence on google maps and knowledgeable staff is answering local business numbers.In verifying their legitimacy everything will check out. These scam artists request money to cover purportedly refundable Mexican taxes, fees and insurance. They are not afraid to discuss money transfers directly with American lawyers (if a scammed person retained local counsel to confirm legitimacy of the transaction), emphasizing to the lawyers that the lawyers do not know strange Mexican laws and, therefore, cannot effectively and accurately advise their client. Sometimes they dupe people into paying them hundreds of thousands of dollars. They improve upon their own scam and, currently, it is almost impossible to distinguish a scam from a real transaction. I file federal complaints in court and with the help of local (Mexican) counsel ascertain identities of these scam artists; and then local counsel negotiates a settlement directly with these scam artists.Jane Kim, Naples

Separation of church and state

How could anyone argue with this idea? Desks, pencils, paper and teachers are desirable in our schools. However, these are easy to define. But god? What is the definition of god? What function would god have in our schools?Most religions claim some association with god but never define god. Our far-sighted wise forefathers and mothers fled Europe to escape from slavery of monarchs/kings/god/religion. Amendment #1 of our Constitution separates church (god) from the state. Thus, it is amazing that my Republican colleagues are pursuant of violating this amendment by putting god/religion into our public schools. Donald Trump, Republican candidate for president, is extending this perspective advocating elimination of the Constitution.Why advocate god in schools? If you can inculcate into the minds of children make-believe concepts as facts you can sensitize them to accept lies and create followers like those of James Jones of Guyana who he took to their deaths. Similarly, millions of Americans accept Trump’s lies about the election as fact and were motivated to attack our Capitol Jan. 6.Is god in our schools a stepping stone for absolute power? Courts are closing in on Trump for his crimes. Are multiple attacks on our infrastructure (electric substations) extortion attempts to stop pursuit of conviction of Trump by the courts? Think carefully about putting god in our schools my friends.William Pettinger M.D., Bonita Springs

Comedy overtaken by liberal bias

As I age, I have lost connection with comedy. Not comedy via sitcoms but comedy via a "comic." A comic was a voice unafraid to discuss, through humor, daily life in America. These comics had front and center stage on late night television such as Johnny Carson, David Letterman and other late night entertainment shows. We as a country evolved into more sophisticated humor such as "Saturday Night Live" while still having a thread of comedy with Jay Leno and other comics of the day. So we went from humor as a way to bring awareness to the masses, transcended into SNL skit comedy, to just outright vitriol by the new late night comics. And the subject matter was tilted toward certain political beliefs. So, today we have dysfunctional comedy that is no longer funny. How did this happen?Humor, written, voice and electronic has hidden behind political minefields, woke blowback and downright hate. There seems to be no middle ground for good humor. I suggest these comics have made decisions to save their careers and become friends of the liberal media. All to save their jobs.When we become too serious, when we become too filled with misguided thoughts and when we stop listening to each other, we become the country we are -- divided, dysfunctional and dreary. Comedians were the safe passage to conversation. Their movies, books, and albums were part of growing up, filled with counter-culture, political satire and downright raunchy topics.Some of our greatest comedians have lost their voice. Not because they are not funny but their voices have been constricted by conformity. Tim Allen, Jay Leno, and even an untouchable like David Chappelle and Chris Rock have been silenced. Not silenced because they have nothing to say but silenced because what they said is no longer allowed and counter to the liberal bias.If you have watched the late night shows over the last five years, you have been manipulated and marginalized by the liberal bias but what is worse, the opportunity to insert comedy into our daily lives is a missed opportunity. Those guys were funny at one time, does anyone remember the "Man Show" with bouncing babes, beer, and debauchery. Nothing off limits, only the remote control if you disagree.

Jack Holt, Cape Coral

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Wednesday, December 21, 2022