Voice of the people: October 1, 2023

Help curtail cat overpopulation

Please spay and neuter your pets. And if you find a stray who isn't fixed, reach out to a local animal rescue and try to ensure that they are treated. Cat overpopulation is a horrible issue that hurts animals, humans and most importantly, our environment. Cats can make the most incredible companions and friends. But left alone in the environment, they are an invasive species. Their ability to breed rapidly, and ferocity combine to create a genuine problem for the areas around them. By helping to control feral populations, you can make a significant impact on the environment and in the end, climate change.

Michael Schiele, Lakeland

Republican state lawmakers should display more empathy

I read an article in Apple News from USA Today, 9/18/2023, Rex Huppke, "Republican or Democrat? Florida and Michigan show voters which side has a heart."

Clearly stated are the draconian anti-woke laws DeSantis has pushed through our legislature, laws that are right out of the fascist playbook: restrict voting rights, abortion rights, 'whitewashing' educational curriculum, banning books, defunding diversity, equity and inclusion - denied Medicaid to those in need. Florida has taken an anti-science approach to COVID and Climate Change. They have loosened Gun Safety Laws. These bullying laws target women, the poor, minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.

Contrast this with Gretchen Whitmer directing her legislature to take on: "Paid family and medical leave, 100% clean energy standard, and codifying protections ensured by the Affordable Care Act." In July she signed legislation expanding voting rights. She passed common sense gun laws, protected LGBTQ residents, and codified abortion rights. Whitmer has expanded the state's earned income tax credit, and provided breakfast and lunch to all public-school students.

I ask Republicans, where are your values? Do you support the hate and fear approach, or an approach that assists the working class and the unfortunate amongst us? What has happened to your empathy?

Bruce W. Paulson, Winter Haven

Our country deserves informed and strong conservative leadership

Ask yourself:  Will our century's old USA remain a Secure Free Market, Constitutional Capitalist Republic beyond this democratic socialist revolution? Will taxpaying citizens realize today's political leadership is not representing working middleclass taxpaying citizens? Will the 2024 Presidential Election be secure? Will America's Democratic Totalitarian Socialist Revolution Continue?  Have frequent White House Visits from George Soros' Open Society Foundation Officials influenced US Policies?

The National debt has increased beyond $33 plus trillion creating hardships for many of our retired and working middle class taxpaying citizens. We hear about time consuming political scandals, concerning financial issues and many other distractions while nothing ever gets resolved and the national debt continues to increase every day this administration stays in power.  American taxpayers are still waiting for answers and our country has never been so politically divided. Incompetent or planned this is the most corrupt administration I've seen in my lifetime.

It's time we the people taxpaying citizens Stop Socialism! Stand up America, VOTE for change in November 2024. Our country deserves informed and strong conservative leadership that controls and balances our federal budget, secures our national borders, controls immigration growth while recognizing, defending and supporting our Capitalist Constitutional FreeMarkets Republic.                               

Walt Back, Lakeland

Polk County losing its 'Last Green Thread'

The number one question we need to ask our current and future political leaders is “What will you do to stop the over development of Polk County?” And then vote accordingly.

The "Last Green Thread" is a Carlton Ward Jr. Wildlife Corridor documentary showing the critical "Last Green Thread" of the corridor running through Polk County. The Path of the Panther, his latest documentary on southwest Florida's battle between nature and roof tops takes us literally on the path of the Florida Panther.

Through new development approval, Polk County is squeezing the corridor’s wildlife path to less than a mile. Though to humans it may seem that one mile of corridor is enough for large animal migration, however for the Florida Panther, it is deadly. In September a panther was killed, making it the 8th panther killed in 2023. This is the 62nd panther killed since 2021 due to vehicle strikes, due to increased traffic, due to habitat loss, due to over development.

Polk County has got to do better. We need leaders who recognize that these short-term decisions create costly long-term problems. Other Florida city and county commissioners have made the move to pause the approval of new development. The city of Zephyrhills being the most recent who have halted new development for one year due to water resource concerns. And surprisingly with very little pushback from their citizens.

When we allow our natural areas to be replaced with rooftops and asphalt, we can expect excessive heat, flooding and hurricanes to be our new normal.

Suzanne Lindsey, Winter Haven

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voice of the people: October 1, 2023