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Letters: Gov. Crist Recall
Our comments two weeks ago to begin a petition drive to recall Gov. Charlie Crist generated strong pros and strong cons.
One reader sent in a $100 check to help jump-start the funding for the campaign.
Those opposed to a recall were the most strident. One reader called us an "insurance industry suckup" and said, "You're the one that (sic) should be recalled from your pretend job as a 'writer.'"
Another reader sent in our recall coupon with a few messages. Where the coupon headline said, "Recall Gov. Crist," letter writer James Malone crossed out the governor's name and wrote, "Recall Matt Walsh," editor of The Observer.
Where the coupon said "Yes! I support a petition drive to change Florida's Constitution to allow for a recall election of state elected officeholders," Malone wrote that he wanted to allow for a recall "of unelected gripers."
Malone also said he would support a statewide petition drive to call for a "stop to unsolicited opinions being dropped in my driveway."
Malone was not alone in that regard. One reader said our paper would be "placed directly in the trash." And another requested that she be deleted from the delivery list.
As of deadline, however, the count stood even - half of our respondents were in favor of a recall campaign, half opposed.
Here is a sampling of the readers' responses ...
- Editor
PRO:
+ Change constitution
Dear Editor:
Yes! I support a petition drive to change Florida's Constitution to allow for a recall election of state elected officeholders.
George Saah
Sarasota
+ Recall Crist
Dear Editor:
We agree with your editorial.
Yes! We support a petition drive to change Florida's Constitution to allow for a recall election of state elected officeholders.
Yes! We also would support a statewide petition drive to call for a recall election of Gov. Charlie Crist.
John and Gail Drews
Bradenton
+ Wolf in sheep clothes
Dear Editor:
Yes! I would enthusiastically support a Crist recall petition effort.
Bravo on your recent series regarding the governor's damaging antics. I held my nose as I voted for him last year, sensing his lack of depth, but never guessing he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. I have noticed this trend -Democrats running as Republicans (RINOs) in Sarasota County government for years, particulary in the days when local Republican dominance was even stronger than now.
Editorial suggestion: Put the spotlight on Crist comments during the '06 primary in which he waved the conservative flag.
Jim Haberman
Sarasota
+ 'Socialism or death'
Dear Editor:
I select "Yes" to both of the statements regarding the Crist recall editorial.
Your editorial is right on the money. In my letter to your paper published in your Feb. 1 edition, I warned that the attempts by Florida politicians to curb the insurers' losses would create a disaster for the taxpayers.
The insurers now have a finite liability in Florida while the taxpayers' liability is infinite. Insurers are willing to take the risk of loss, given a fair opportunity to set rates that make business sense. To have the state get mixed up in the insurance business is just plain stupid.
I wonder how anyone will be able to file a claim with Citizens Property Insurance Co.? When a sizable huricane hits, how many claims adjusters will there be? Will they cover damages for which the insured has not paid a premium?
Insurers such as State Farm are currently being sued in Mississippi and Louisiana by their respective attorney generals for not paying claims NOT covered by the insureds' policies. You can bet that the socialism that's running rampant in our Legislature regarding this insurance mess will pay any and all claims. The power to tax is also the power to steal. And, you can bet that the taxpayers will get screwed in the end.
After all, how can you trust a man like Crist, who, to paraphrase Zorba the Greek, has never had "the whole catastrophe" - a wife and children! And never owned real estate to boot!
Next thing you know Crist will be hooking up with those other free-market capitalists, Hugo Chavez and Vladimir Putin, and make our new state slogan "socialism or death" as the Venezuelan army just did.
Sadly, I think, he already has.
Milan V. Adrian
Longboat Key
CON:
+ Gov. Crist correct
Dear Editor:
I must disagree with your opinion.
Owning homes in Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as in Florida, I see no reason for the homeowners insurance that covers liability and fire to be so high in Florida. The policies have similar coverage, yet fees in Florida are more than double the insurance fees in these other parts of the country.
In addition, the insurance companies have used every excuse to cancel policies, making the state the only source of insurance. One of my policies was canceled because my house was too old, despite the fact I totally rebuilt the house, and it is as sound as any new home in Florida. I never heard of a policy discriminating because of the age of the house.
I can assure you my homes were constructed much better than the new ones being built all over Florida.
It is obvious from these facts and others that the insurance companies are taking advantage of Florida homeowners. Gov. Crist is correct in his logic whereas yours is obviously slanted in favor of high-profit, private companies.
I, for one, am quite happy with Gov. Crist and am glad his approval ratings are high. As for some of our legislators, I can't be as positive.
Thomas E. Skoloda
Anna Maria
+ Boycott advertisers
Dear Editor:
As the editor, you have the ability to voice your opinion to many people, and, unfortunately, I (or we, the general public) do not have the same ability. However, what I do have is the ability to control my life and the places I frequent.
Since I also believe that you have an obligation to report news fairly and not your opinions, I chose not to read your newspaper.
In furtherance to that, I will let your advertisers know of your biased position and that if they continue to use your paper, I will not be able to patronize them in the future. Also, as my right, your paper will be placed directly in the trash.
Robert Swiatek
Bradenton
+ You're outrageous
Dear Editor:
Please refrain from leaving your so-called newspaper on my property. I do not want it and will not read it.
Although I am not a fan of Gov. Charlie Crist, your editorial policy is an insult to any intelligent reader. You are obviously in the pocket of the insurance industry and have no right to call yourselves a newspaper.
To suggest a recall of a governor because he criticizes policies of an industry that has been uncooperative with efforts to curb escalating costs to consumers is not only ludicrous but outrageous.
Janis Groth
Bradenton
+ Liars, thieves, crooks
Dear Editor:
You and/or your organization must be part of the insurance industry. What a joke, to try to defend the insurance industry.
I moved here three years ago, and my insurance in the last three years went from $1,100 to $2,800!!!! And you are saying it is the state's fault ... !!???
You insurance people are (I am assuming you are part of it, otherwise, who could so blindly defend these crooks??) right in there between lawyers and politicians and the media people - liars, thieves, crooks. Just look at every insurance building in the country, and you will see what I mean - money is just oozing out of them.
Insurance companies are robbing Floridians by jacking up prices on insurance, just because there were a couple of hurricanes. Wait a second, isn't that what insurance is for - to get paid for our losses when such a loss happens?? Did you not realize you had to pay for these losses, when they occurred?? Or did you think, "Let's just get money from the people, without giving anything back to them, and if we have to, we'll just recoup our money by jacking up the insurance rates??!!!"
What smart people you are, you crooks, thieves and liars.
In my book, you and your campaign are not welcome in Florida, that's all I can say.
Jim Kitapci
Sarasota
Sir: If insurers are so profitable and "oozing" money, it doesn't follow that the number of insurance companies in Florida is contracting. High profits draw competitors. Fact is, insurance in Florida is a lousy investment. Yes, the national insurance industry has reported $100 billion in profits the past two years. But through the first half of this decade, U.S. property-casualty insurers generated a 5.3% average return. That compares to a 12.3% rate of return for the Fortune 500 over the same period. What's more, from 1990 through 2006, the return on investment for Florida insurers averaged a negative 38.1%.
Prices wouldn't be rising as dramatically as they are if "the state" did not create so many regulatory impediments to doing business here. Just ask your insurance agent.
- Editor
+ Are you oblivious?
Dear Editor:
I read your editorial, "Invoke Lemon Law on Crist" in utter amazement. I thought: "Doesn't this guy read the polls showing high marks in voter approval?" The only criticisms have been the inability of the Legislature to go far enough in reforms.
The governor has it right - unaffordable insurance and soaring property taxes are smothering this state's economy.
The governor's words about the insurance industry are blunt and to the point. How can you possibly defend an industry that has imposed 300% to 500% increases, canceled tens of thousands of policies and resorted to subterfuge in the form of "pup" companies so you don't get the overall picture of how the insurance company did financially? To answer my own question, you are either oblivious or an insurance company shill or lobbyist.
My wind premium went from $1,500 to $3,300 to $5,000 in the past three years, the last quote was with - get this - a $100,000 deductible. I have no wind insurance and neither do several of my neighbors.
I have lived on the bay for 29 years, and the only claim ever submitted was for some pool cage damage of a minor nature six to seven years ago.
Last year the insurance companies had huge profits in a non-hurricane year - ever hear a rebate offered?
I am with you in keeping government out of the private sector - except when the private sector will not respond to the needs of the people.
Your wonderful insurance industry refuses to insure vast segments of the population and is ridiculously expensive in the rest. I therefore say take the restraints completely off Citizens Property Insurance and let it also enter automobile, life and other more profitable venues to be financially successful.
To the other insurers, I would say: If you can't offer homeowners insurance to the citizens of Florida, then remove your other lines as well. If you're going to make big profits, you must be able to assume some risk.
As you know, if you can't get insurance, you can't get a mortgage. If you can't get a mortgage, the Realtors, builders, furniture suppliers and others can't stay in business.
The governor hit below the belt in his remarks? Show me where?
Richard D. Paolillo
Nokomis
+ Get over it
Dear Editor:
NO! I do NOT support a change to the Constitution OR a recall petition. This is a democracy. You voted for him, you should have done your homework.
Get over it.
Bill Angele
Sarasota
+ Recall is overkill
Dear Editor:
I, sadly, was practicing the all-American pastime of apathy - until this moment.
About your paper's drive to recall state officeholders: I absolutely and completely agree. No more need be said.
But on your other position that, were there a successful constitutional amendment allowing recalls, your first target would be Gov. Crist, I have a problem with how you seemed to arrive at your position.
Amassing into one group all 271,000 Floridian individuals who work in Florida's insurance industry is a bit of overkill. If you were, however, to collect the statistics on exactly how many of the 271,000 had a hand in making the actual decisions to raise rates at the same time that coverage was reduced/eliminated, well, then, we'd likely have a much, much smaller number and, I dare say, very close to if not zero.
The only way I can see any Floridians having a hand in the rate/coverage caper is if there are any insurance businesses headquartered in Florida. Even so, like gas stations (and, yes, even medical doctors, too, et al), if one company changes rates more favorable to them, the others follow suit soon thereafter.
I am not and never have been in any facet of the insurance or underwriting business.
George Del Monte
Bradenton
You should try Rolfing
Dear Editor:
Reading the editorial and Argus/Observer Group advertisement that appeared in the Gulf Coast Business Review was informative and an eye into your dark, fuzzy world.
Surely psychology departments at colleges and universities in Florida could construct an interesting course where they would highlight the actions of Gov. Crist over the period of his term (to date) and then compare the reactions of the people of Florida to those of your select reactionary individuals at the Observer Group. Personally, I would liken your lashing out in print to the not-too-balanced response of the Virginia Tech shooter to his fantasized persecutions.
The writer is either paranoid or feeling the heat of a light that is aimed at those who care little for the people of Florida.
It was not the 271,400 insurance workers of Florida (who also pay insurance) that Gov. Crist was talking about, but those in corporate head offices (usually out of state) that set the rates with more regard for exponential growth in profits than for actuarial tables.
The comments were not "gratuitous"; they were payback for raising rates in bad times but not reducing them in better times. They were not "unstatesmanlike," unless you feel statesmen should not tell it like it is. They were not "inaccurate," unless you mean they did not go far enough - in which case Gov. Crist was just showing restraint, a good quality in politicians.
State health care?
The column states "the state's largest property insurer is the state itself, there is nothing more that needs to be said." That is right, as the intent of insurance is to protect the policyholders from harm. The people voluntarily signed up with the state to show that they wish to be protected from storms as well as from rapacious companies that do not have their best interests in mind. You also state, "Without insurance, Florida's economy would come to a screeching halt." Yes, and an extension of that thinking would be that with overpriced insurance, it would just limp along. Thanks to a progressive governor, lower rates will help Florida's economy expand.
And if the people of Florida are smart, perhaps the state playing a larger role in health care would not be a bad idea. Thanks for suggesting it.
By commenting on "his pronouncements on global warming" in context with all of your other ramblings, I presume you cannot see those facts either. Or do immediate profits take precedence over the quality of life of our children, grandchildren and those that follow? At long last, Sir. Have you no shame?"
Loopy comments
The Argus/Observer advertisement on "Why Housing Is Unaffordable" is just as loopy as the column on recalling Crist. It states that it focuses on two causes (presumably because these are the two main causes): the "assault on property rights" and "density."
I believe the first example of the "assault" relates to someone who wished to build a monster house on the water side of the designated high-water line on Siesta Key. Mother Nature, or God, is the one that moves the water about, so yes, the line changed over the years and now the property owner cannot build where once he could. So?
The result is that, because he cannot build the monster house where he wants, the land is worth less. If it is worth less, then someone with less money can buy it and therefore can afford to build affordable housing on the remaining property, which is on the land side of the water line.
One may not like the logic of it all, but the result is exactly the opposite of the stated position in the advert.
The government, by following the law, is promoting affordable housing rather than the building of McMansions. Which for most people are unaffordable.
I believe the second "assault" relates to someone who wanted to get a variance on his land so that it could be sold at a tremendous profit to build another group of big-box stores. The county does not have to give a variance if it feels the harm to the community is greater than the benefit to the landowner. That is why there are zoning laws and hearings. The community spoke, not "the government."
If a variance was not needed, the landowner would have been able to sell at a profit. Even if those at the Argus Foundation and The Observer Group do not agree, not automatically giving variances is fair and balanced.
The rant in the "Affordable Housing" advertisement about "density" is even stranger. The current zoning dictates that a developer may build a home on a six-acre lot. The new plan would additionally allow, but not force, a developer to build more units. And the advertisement complains. I guess to you "more" is the new "less."
Profit at any cost?
What is at issue through all of this is a desire for more profit and development (with an eye to profit) at any cost. And to make an argument for that case whether facts are there or not. I would suggest that, to purge your soul, you try Rolfing. Stand alone in a closed room and shout at the top of your lungs until you black out. It might help and, at the very least, would not clutter up your otherwise very good newspaper.
Rodger Skidmore
Sarasota
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