Tuesday's letters

Last Modified: Monday, February 10, 2014 at 6:58 p.m.

Working for dependents

If we are going to pay unemployment, subsidize health insurance, provide food stamps and give earned-income tax credits to poor folks, and we are going to make it financially beneficial to 2.3 million middle-class workers to cut back to part time, why are the rest of us working our butts off?

It is beyond comprehension that there are still a few of us who have enough pride and self-respect to try to support ourselves and our families. Frankly, I'm tired, angry and discouraged.

I'm tired of beating myself up while I see capable people wandering the streets. I'm angry that my government thinks that for some reason I am responsible for those whom the government has hooked on being dependents. And I am discouraged that there seems to be no hope of things getting any better.

Victoria Vaughn


Young will take the jobs

In answer to the recent letter "Obama's idle hands": Several references in the media suggest that people would cut back on their work hours to receive health care subsidies, and this would "upset the labor force."

There are many young people and others desperate to find jobs who would be only too glad to train to fill any that open up. It seems someone has figured out a new fear-inducing plan to obstruct progress. But I think of it as a return to a normal succession.

Frances S. Tyler


Knight's marijuana case

Sheriff Tom Knight wrote a surprising column on legalizing medical marijuana in Sunday's paper. Especially as it came in the guise of condemning the initiative.

One "objection" he raised was that it would be "like a homeopathic substance, sold not by pharmacists but marijuana retailers."

Many retailers sell homeopathic substances. If medical marijuana is no bigger threat than that, why is the sheriff claiming to be against it?

Another objection was that there would be a proliferation of marijuana dispensaries. "Can you imagine Siesta Key Village or St. Armands Circle with marijuana dispensaries at every turn?" he wrote.

Right now, I can imagine Siesta Key Village and St. Armands Circle with numerous alcohol dispensaries. Lots of bars and restaurants there sell alcohol. I believe they pose a bigger threat to public safety than marijuana dispensaries.

The other objection was that medical marijuana dispensaries would be largely cash businesses, leading to "the infiltration of organized crime."

Do all cash businesses lead to the infiltration of organized crime? Does this mean that when I pay cash at a local clothing store, or grocery store, or convenience store, I am leading that store to the infiltration of organized crime? If cash businesses are such a threat to public safety, why is the sheriff's department not doing more to educate business owners of this threat?

It seems the sheriff's department has some really weak arguments against legalizing medical marijuana. Could it be that the department is really in favor of it?

Klaus Obermeit


Costly advice on aging

Regarding Sunday's article on the Conference on Positive Aging: I am sure that it is easy for a CEO to reinvent himself or herself! However, most of us in the disappearing middle class cannot afford to spend the $125 for this workshop.

The simplistic metaphors from Tom Esselman, CEO of the Institute for the Ages, regarding the musical Hallmark cards and the quasi-spiritual and wellness phrases have all been heard before. I suggest that many of these so-called entrepreneurs' main goal is to raid your pocketbook!

No, you don't need fancy motivational or psycho-social counseling. My free advice: Eat veggies, fresh fruit, boneless, skinless chicken breasts and fish. Exercise, even if it is only walking. Love thy neighbor.

My frail, aging husband remarks that we now spend happy hour at the drugstore. Perhaps one of the wellness entrepreneurs would be able to set up green tea and organic smoothie counters there.

Diane Stadler


Phony push for mayor

Grass-roots or Astroturf? Neighborhood-friendly or special interests? The people behind Sarasota's strong-mayor initiative want you to think they are a diverse, grass-roots group.

The list of their names on their website has half a dozen neighborhood associations listed after those names. Of course, the implication is that the associations support the measure -- even though there is a little disclaimer tucked at the bottom of the list.

Why would the head of one of our biggest realty companies list his affiliation as his neighborhood association, when in fact the association has no position on the issue? Why would a political activist list her neighborhood's association, when in fact she is neither a member nor does it have a position?

The answers aren't too hard to figure out.

They want the voters to believe they are a grass-roots, neighborhood-friendly group because they believe that will help swing your vote in their favor.

If it were clear that the group is actually a special-interest, development-driven group, the voters might not be so receptive.

Don't be fooled. This group is Astroturf from start to finish.

Juanita Rawlinson


CVS policy hypocritical

CVS is taking all tobacco products off its shelves under the guise of promoting healthy lifestyles, but leaves other shelves full of candy, doughnuts and chips, and let's not forget all the beer and wine.

A store could not be more hypocritical. Obviously it makes more money selling junk than tobacco.

Tom Bussies


This story appeared in print on page A8


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