Voice of the People (Aug. 4, 2024): Spiteful Florida politicians reject federal green

Spiteful Florida politicians reject federal green

While many people are focused on the presidential election, Floridians are getting the shaft if they ignore the nonsense going on in their state government and legislature. The latest example comes from the state transportation department having a meltdown over the $198 million the federal government earmarked to install more electric vehicle chargers.

Wasting tax dollars to indulge in blatant partisan politics, they have turned their backs on the money because it came from Joe Biden. This is money paid by Floridians to the IRS that is going to waste because the transportation department is whining that they are not allowed to “maximize federal transportation dollars on state-based priorities,” i.e., just give us the money so we can do what we want. This is all set out in https://roadsarenotforpolitics.com. The Florida legislature and DeSantis did the same thing with federal money for energy-saving home improvements.

No one is forcing anyone to drive an electric car or cut their electric bill with a heat pump rebate. However, the people that do want this choice should not be denied access to their tax dollars. Maybe they're just trying to save money and reduce climate change.

Judy Haberek, Polk City

Voice of the People (July 28, 2024):Summer meals lost? What did the kids do to you?

People with total disabilities are ignored by the system

My name is Manyvone Champavannarath and I am an advocate for people with disabilities. I am a quadriplegic and have cerebral palsy and I am in a wheelchair.

I am not able to do anything for myself. I am a certified sailor (I use a chin control to sail the boat). I have been waterskiing and snow skiing.

There’s a problem with the system that needs to be fixed. I don’t know if you are aware that people with disabilities are being neglected by the system. What I mean by that is the amount of SSI that we get from the government is way too low. After we pay all our bills, we have absolutely nothing left over for the rest of the month.

This is 2024, I am still receiving $889 for my disability check. That amount is under poverty level. I don’t think it’s fair that amount is based on the amount you have worked. What about the people who are not able to work? We are being punished by the system for having a disability.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my life. But the system makes our lives worse than they already are.

Manyvone Champavannarath, Lakeland

Voice of the People (July 21, 2024):The waste of Lakeland's new RICE engines

Political moderation: Where’d it go?

When we lose the art of political moderation, we immediately condemn everyone that doesn’t agree with us.

They are either for us or against us. They are friends or enemies. There’s nothing in the middle. We take their God-given humanity away. There’s no need for compassion toward the enemy. We dehumanize them, making them objects of ridicule and hatred. This makes it OK to take away their freedoms and resources.

Eventually, our enemies are targets of oppression and violence. And the only logical conclusion for our enemies is destruction.

Gone are the days of cooperation and bipartisan communication. If you want to be quickly labeled as a traitor, sit down with someone you disagree with. Be seen listening to and treating people on the other side of the line with respect.

But this is exactly what’s required at this critical juncture in our country. We need to respectfully and calmly sit down and listen. Dare to think that we don’t have all the answers. Or that we’re absolutely right about everything. Someone a whole lot smarter than me said that I needed to treat my neighbor how I wanted to be treated. Sounds like good advice.

Chet Gladkowski, Lake Wales

Voice of the People (July 14, 2024):Presidential immunity ruling is a danger to America

The best use of a Friday night in the fall

Starting about mid-August and running into mid December, high school football is played all over Florida.

You can see the college and professional stars at their beginning by coming out to Friday night lights. The best burgers in the concession stands, and football played for the school and teammates. Best way to spend Friday nights in the fall.

Hope we see you there.

Bill Marshall, Lakeland

Voice of the People (July 7, 2024):Is this the best of our choices?

A difference in national pride?

I just finished watching the national anthems of USA and Germany as the women prepared for an Olympic soccer match.

Here's what I saw from the Americans: maybe five women singing, four to five with hand to heart, stoic expressions or gum-chewing, mostly looking bored.

From the Germans: hands locked by all players, shoulders grasped by coaches, all enthusiastically singing.

What a difference in apparent national pride.

Anne Bernat, Lakeland

Voice of the People (June 30, 2024):Vote for Florida's right to privacy

Me? A liberal? Why, thank you

I want to address the term "liberal" because conservative Republicans have demonized it and they spit it out publicly like a cuss word.

I am going to spell out the definition No. 1 in the 2nd edition of The American Heritage Dictionary: “Having, expressing, or following political views or policies that favor civil liberties, democratic reforms, and the use of governmental power to promote social progress.” No. 2: “Having, expressing, or following views that favor the freedom of individuals to act or express themselves in a manner of their own choosing.”

It is pretty evident why Republicans, especially conservatives, want you to think that being liberal is shameful or dangerous. It is dangerous to them as they hold no such political philosophy when it comes to the welfare of our society as a whole or toward the individual. They are masters of talking points and propaganda.

It is with pride that I call myself a total liberal.

(P.S. here's another piece of inconvenient truth: Jesus Christ of Nazareth was probably the most famous liberal persona in all of ancient history.)

Daniel W. Brasier, Lakeland

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