Sarasota County officials: Stop bowing down to the powerful - and start standing up for us
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Elected officials forget they work for us
Because of human nature, people will always have a longing for power and riches.
However, to act against the common good is a mistake. The French Revolution happened because the common good was ignored.
From current events in Florida, it is at least clear that the Sarasota County commissioners and a good many of our legislators are not working for us.
They are not supposed to be working for insurance company lobbyists, the governor, developers, corporate interests or even the biggest donors. They have forgotten whom they work for.
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If your neighborhood is becoming too dense, the traffic too heavy, the trees cut down, your water polluted, your insurance bills too high and your library too restricted, your legislators and commissioners are not working for you; I don’t care what they tell you.
In that case, they deserve to be voted out, regardless of party. It is the electorate that has the real power. Let’s use it.
Erika Veit, Venice
Republicans two-faced on infrastructure
It’s not clear to me which is more shameful:
The fact that House Speaker Mike Johnson and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan would tour Sarasota Bradenton airport to celebrate its $100 million expansion – a project funded by an infrastructure bill that both Johnson and Buchanan voted against.
The failure of the Herald-Tribune to mention this fact in its coverage of the lawmakers' visit.
Republican members of Congress around the country are now trying to take credit for construction projects that they voted against – and for jobs that they did not create.
Citizens in this district deserve to know when their elected representative votes against their interests but then tries to hide it.
Peter E. Knox, Sarasota
Mail delivers bad news about insurance
My health care insurer, UnitedHealthcare, delivered this holiday turkey to my mailbox: “Our current contract with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Sarasota Memorial Hospital is ending.”
That's bad enough in itself.
But coming at the end of the current enrollment period, this move speaks volumes regarding UnitedHealthcare’s corporate values and ethics.
Douglas D. Griffin, Sarasota
Ex-president would trash Constitution
A Nov. 26 letter writer attempted to discredit Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a renowned expert on fascism, by claiming that former President Donald Trump will adhere to the Constitution because he appointed three “constitutional judges” to the Supreme Court (“Trump will respect our Constitution”).
I guess the letter writer forgot the small detail that Trump has already attacked our Constitution once and absolutely will do away with it if given another chance.
Ben-Ghiat warned that fascists usually declare themselves “leaders for life” and do away with bothersome entities such as supreme courts.
If Trump regains the presidency, it will be the last time we hold an election as we know it. They vote in Russia, too, but Vladimir Putin has effectively held power for more than 20 years. What are the odds?
Dee Charlton, Sarasota
Reckless gun owners put us at risk
I am beyond appalled that individuals not only need to own a gun but are now willing to forgo the safety training formerly required to carry a concealed weapon (“Firearm safety training dramatically drops after Florida gun law change,” Nov. 1).
Are we living in the Wild West?
Are parents concerned about their children playing at a playmate’s house where the parents own guns and have not taken safety classes?
Perhaps insurance companies should raise rates for uneducated gun owners.
Unlike hurricanes we can’t control, this is an accident we know is waiting to happen.
Jane Serio, Venice
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County's commissioners should work for us. Why won't they?
