Letters to the editor: Jan. 6, 2010

Here are letters to the editor from Daily News editions of Jan. 6, 2010:

Letter of the Day: Great start

Editor, Daily News:

On my way home from work the other night I had two stops to make. I had to get my cats some food at a local pet store and I had to go to Cracker Barrel to buy an ornament to replace one that a co-worker broke.

When I got to Cracker Barrel and went up to pay for my purchases, imagine my surprise to find no wallet in my purse. I retraced my steps in the store to no avail.

I drove home in disbelief.

About 45 minutes after I arrived home I received a phone call from a wonderful man named Victor Rodriguez. He told me that he had found my wallet at Cracker Barrel.

He told me that he would bring it to my house.

A little while later, this wonderful man and his family arrived at my driveway.

My wallet had only been missing for about an hour but it was one of the longest hours of my life.

Thank you so much, Mr. Rodriguez. You have taught your children a valuable lesson and renewed my faith in humanity. I hope you and your family have a blessed new year!

— Linda Rice

Naples

Why not the biggest too?

Editor, Daily News:

I would like to echo the appreciation that letter-writer Al Kozel on Dec. 28 expressed to the Collier County high school bands that took part in the Naples Christmas parade.

They looked and played great!

It would sure be nice if our bands participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade so the large crowd and many visitors to Naples could see and hear all of our wonderful bands there too.

In past years, bands appearing in the St. Patrick’s Day parade were mostly from the east coast of Florida.

The Collier kids who work and practice so hard deserve to be seen and applauded in Naples’ biggest parade.

— John Boyle

Naples

Big differences

Editor, Daily News:

Contrary to Joe Trotzig’s letter of Dec. 18, which compares health care in the United States, Canada and England using just five indicators, the Conference Board of Canada — which, by the way, has a history of being critical of the Canada “Medicare” — issued a report covering 16 developed countries.

As criteria, they used life expectancy, mortality rate due to cancer, circulatory and respiratory diseases, mental disorders, infant mortality and self-reported health status. The rankings were as follows:

Grade A: Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Norway.

Grade B: Sweden, France, Finland, Germany, Australia, Canada.

Grade C: Netherlands, Austria, Ireland

Grade D: England, Denmark, United States

It is clear that no system is perfect. In Canada, waiting periods for certain cancer treatments and knee and hip replacements are too long.

But everyone has access to medical services, unlike in the U.S. where some 40 million have no insurance.

— U.H. Stamm

Naples and Montreal

Both sides now

Editor, Daily News:

I want to object to the nasty tone of the editorial cartoon in the Dec. 28 paper, implying that Democrats only do what they’re told (since when do Democrats ever do what they’re told) because of large “payoffs” from the president’s hand.

I refer you to the front-page article in a recent New York Times, quoting a study by the nonprofit National Institute on Money in Politics that Florida Republicans have received almost $800,000 this year from insurance companies, hospitals, etc., to support an amendment to the state Constitution that would block most of the proposed federal health care legislation if it is passed. That’s in addition to the $102 million they handed out during the election in 2008 and the $89 million that’s flowed into the Congress so far.

At least if you’re going to have payoffs — and they surely are a major political problem on both sides of the aisle — be fair!

— Harriet W. Schley

Naples

My proof; where’s yours?

Editor, Daily News:

Re: David Goldstein’s letter on the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Founding Founders.

He quoted no source for his (mis)information. He stated that most of the founders were deists and others were outright atheists.

The facts: Fifty-two of the 56 signers of the Declaration were Protestant church members. Almost half of them had seminary degrees. (Source: “Original Intent” by historian David Barton.)

The First Continental Congress, which opened on Sept. 5, 1774, began with prayers read by the Rev. Jacob Duche, who then broke out into a extemporaneous prayer that lasted about 10 minutes, after which he read, among others, from Psalms.

John Adams, in a letter to his wife, stated: “It seemed as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.”

Silas Dean recorded that the prayer by Duche made even the Quakers weep. (Source: Journals of the Constitutional Congress.)

Goldstein named six founders whom he said expressed a disbelief in the Bible as the word of God and a disbelief in the deity of Jesus. Only one, Thomas Paine, would fit that description.

Thomas Jefferson confessed to being a Christian. (Source: Jonathan Elliot, “Debates,” Virginia Convention, June 2, 1788.)

Many of the founders sharply rebuked Paine regarding his book, including his closest friend, Benjamin Franklin. (Source: David Barton, “Original Intent.”)

This is now the third time I am challenging Goldstein and those of similar sentiments to a debate. My challenge was not accepted before, so I will try again.

Any takers?

— Jerry Rutherford

Naples

Failure to educate

Editor, Daily News:

Your recent editorial piece on the Democrats’ health-care legislation was disappointing, for it was devoid of any insightful analysis.

Two key selling points of proponents were it will bend down the projected cost curve and not add to the federal deficit. As currently proposed, it will do neither in the long run.

It does meet the president’s redistribution of wealth objective. This is really what the legislation is all about. There are a few positive provisions.

However, the key question is, what is its overall impact on the vast majority of Americans?

My assessment: It is a disaster and a fraud. Anyone who takes the time to look at an analysis of the federal budget 10 to 20 years out will see we are going broke. The expenditures, because of the cost of debt service, vastly exceed revenue. This new program only adds to the problem.

There are significant tax increases which go into effect while the economy is struggling. Few economists will support this as smart economic policy. With the growing number of baby boomers reaching 62 years of age, the cuts to Medicare will have a negative impact on seniors.

Finally, all the special deals to buy votes is sleazy and unfair to those states/citizens that must pay for these deals. Many positive changes that could have been proposed are conspicuously absent.

If your objective of the editorial was to help your readers understand this issue, you were a terrible failure.

— E.R. Russell

Naples

Tip of the cap

Editor, Daily News:

Whenever the Ace Classic golf tournament is in town, I am reminded of the time that Bob Murphy came out to Naples Heritage and put on an exhibition for our members. Bob always wore a straw hat, and this particular day it was extremely windy.

After hitting several different types of golf shots, he asked the audience if anyone had a question. No one raised their hand. Murph said, “Surely there must be someone who has a question.”

Finally, a lady raised her hand. Bob said, “I can see that this lady is a student of golf. What is your question, madam?”

Her reply: “How do you keep your hat on in this wind?”

— Fred Hayes

Naples

Single salary

Editor, Daily News:

The Nov. 28 Daily News article regarding e-mails about Commissioner Fred Coyle’s real-estate business in Oregon was very interesting.

More interesting is his extensive involvement in real-estate development such a great distance from Naples. The Cushman and Tebbs/Sotheby’s Web site on Dec. 1 shows 10 listings for Coyle: two at $399,000, one at $695,000 and the others range from $2.249 million to $4.25 million.

Coyle states that “for the past 15 years, I have been involved in the acquisition, development and sales of distinctive, luxury residential property in six states.”

Coyle’s annual commissioner salary of $75,700, with benefits, would produce a $100,000-plus package (taxpayers’ money). This is pretty good for a part-time job in paradise, I think.

Under our current constitutional form of county government, commissioner salaries are set by Florida statute. Under charter government, salaries are set in the charter. Coyle wanted a proposed charter prepared by the commissioners (rather than a citizens’ charter commission).

Could it be that Coyle was looking for an increase in salary so he wouldn’t have to work two jobs?

— Harold L. Hall

Naples

‘Toon wisdom

Editor, Daily News:

Yes, a picture — or a cartoon — is worth a thousand words.

The Dec. 31 cartoon read: “The government’s homeland security system failed to detect another airline attack. Let’s put them in charge of health care.”

— Katherine Ferrari

Naples

The frighteners

Editor, Daily News:

I am furious, disgusted and frightened with the methods used to pass the health-care bill: coercion, bribes (Louisiana purchase and Ben Nelson’s payoff, etc., threatening a senator’s wife, kickbacks and actions we haven’t heard about).

These are acts of Chicago gangsters, not those of learned statesmen in Congress. We elect our members of Congress to be our voices; to represent us and protect us. Congress has not done that. According to polls, 60 percent of the people were against the bill.

Corruption is rampant in Washington. No wonder our troops wonder what they are fighting for. We have been fed lies.

Actually, politicians are worse than mobsters. They say they are doing this for you and then they do it to you.

I am frightened because the behavior of our president and Congress shows that they can push through any bill they desire, regardless of what the people want. This is dangerous and not a democracy.

We don’t need deal-makers (we have too many). We need a patriot.

— Marion Stamp

Estero

Define terrorism

Editor, Daily News:

Nidal Malik Hasan brutally kills 13 American soldiers while yelling Islamic propaganda, and the U.S. press and president cannot bring themselves to call it an act of terrorism.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab botches an attempt to bring down a plane over U.S. soil, and the White House and its media lackeys start yelling “terrorism” before the Unguentine ointment is dry on his burned legs.

Did I miss something? Was Abdulmutallab wearing an “I Am A Terrorist” T-shirt?

Since 9/11, do all terrorist attacks have to involve an airplane?

— Andrew G. Zabrycki

Naples

Direct line to God

Editor, Daily News:

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., gave an impassioned speech on the U.S. Senate floor, asking for people to pray for some Democrats not to be present when the Senate health-care bill was voted on.

Not sure if he wanted someone to die or just get hurt and not be able to show up, but apparently God rejected those prayers, as evidenced by the whole democratic body being present and voting for the bill.

Coburn is reported to be a member of the C-Street Christian Bible study group that consider themselves to be disciples of Jesus. Given that, one would think they must have a direct line and influence with a higher power.

With this data before us, one can only conclude that God must want universal health care for the citizens of the United States. Not surprising!

Since this letter is about health care, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of the Naples Department of Veterans Affairs Primary Care Unit for the courteous, respectful and outstanding service they provide for their patients, and, in particular, Dr. David A. Gehring who recently retired, for giving me the best health care I’ve experienced in my lifetime.

Good luck, sir, and much enjoyment in your retirement.

— Henry S. Kolesinski

Naples

A story with spirit

Editor, Daily News:

It is extremely doubtful that any American newspaper had a better front-page story than that which the Daily News carried on Christmas Day, It takes an island to create a Christmas.

The story was well written by Eric Staats, and the accompanying photography by Greg Kahn obviously contributed much to the creation of holiday inspiration for your readers.

The story on the Dimond family was unequivocally exemplary of the Christmas spirit. Unfortunately, there are those mentally challenged that will refer to it all as “socialism.”

— Ed Frick

Naples

Quick response

Editor, Daily News:

Recently, I called the Collier County Department of Solid Waste to inform them that all I would like for Christmas was a new lid for my garbage container.

When I called, very politely I was told to put out my garbage container on Thursday and they would put a new lid on it.

That next Thursday, when I arrived home from grocery shopping, there was a new lid on the garbage container.

I really appreciate the promptness, and with guests arriving for Christmas dinner, I was all prepared for the waste.

— Kitty Klippinger

Naples

Locked and loaded

Editor, Daily News:

The increase in attacks by radical Islamists suggests to me our government cannot protect its citizens.

Perhaps its obsession to inject itself into private affairs distracts it from its most important duty.

In any event, it is up to us. I call on all responsible, eligible and able citizens to qualify for and obtain a concealed firearms permit and then carry. I think if we started shooting back, some of those crazies will be deterred. Any that are not won’t be going on any rampages.

To the gun-control advocates: Your predictions of modern OK Corrals have been wrong every time Second Amendment rights have been expanded in the past. This time will be no different.

— Michael F. Beal

Naples

Fruitcakes three

Editor, Daily News:

As we begin the new year, it is with gladness that we can recall what our late parents taught us of life.

A biblical quote: “You will be able to tell what kind of tree it is by the fruit it bears.”

President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have shown all of us in America what kinds of fruitcakes they are.

The lies, corruption, incompetence, deceit and shamefulness are all on daily view for all to see — except our media watchdogs.

What is so sad is that so many Americans were totally enthralled by the teleprompter reader and fell totally and completely for all of his deceit and lies.

If you can imagine Bernie Madoff in public office, this is what you get with these three, only a thousand times worse with our tax dollars!

And, sadly, our national security is under their control.

God help us.

— Frank Englund

Naples