Letters to the Editor: Loss of historic homes, extremism, separation of church and state

August 23, 2012

Loss of historic homes

I am a fourth-generation Orlandoan. Words fail to adequately convey my outrage upon learning that Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan wish to demolish the five beautiful historic homes that border the west side of Lake Eola Park.

Instead of spending millions of taxpayer dollars on some silly futuristic creative village at the old Amway Arena site, our leaders ought to preserve the charm of old Orlando by repurposing the five historic gems as study halls for university students, studios for local artists or even a quaint museum celebrating the park's rich past.

For nearly a decade, the mayor has disregarded our city's historic treasures. Enough is enough. It's time we as a community fight to preserve our past for the future.

Jason Kelly Orlando

Extremism can be a turn-off to good cause

I understand Tuesday letter-writer Christopher Murphy's passion for the subject of veganism. However, sometimes one's passion can be detrimental to the cause.

While there is certainly a place for extreme positions on any issue, from animal rights to politics, extremism can have the effect of alienating the average person.

Murphy should not be attacking those who attended the candlelight vigil for homeless pets simply because some of them might decide to have a pizza or chicken for dinner.

He should appreciate those who at least care enough to try to make even a small difference.

I have sworn off pork and rarely eat red meat. We do what we can, even if they're small steps.

Gary Anstaett Apopka

Here's to separation of church and state

Finally, a Republican who gets it.

Marion W. Gilliam Jr., in his letter to the editor Wednesday, let it be known that government needs to stay out of our personal lives, such as a woman's right to abortion and same-sex couples living together.

Gilliam also pointed out that "when religion starts getting laws passed to enforce beliefs ... the church and government have ended the freedom that Americans have fought and died for."

Thanks to Gilliam for expressing his beliefs concerning the separation of church and state. Opponents of that idea try to argue that the Constitution doesn't clearly say that.

But we know that all the constitutional amendments and case-law decisions made by theU.S. Supreme Courthave acted to update and interpret the living document we hold so dear.

Unfortunately, there are forces within our land that aim to make their beliefs the official beliefs of the U.S.

And there's no shortage of politicians willing to pander to that element simply to get elected to or stay in office.

Bill Calhoun Lady Lake

Einstein warned us about capitalism

Descriptors often associated with the name Einstein include genius, brilliant, creative and great thinker. Albert Einstein is best remembered for his detail and scientific accuracy in theoretical physics, including the theory of relativity.

Another aspect of Einstein's life, unknown by the average person, was political ? individual freedom and protection of the rights of the individual.

In 1949, an essay by Einstein ? "Why Socialism?" ? was published in the inaugural issue of the Monthly Review.

In the essay, Einstein argued that unrestricted capitalism produced great disparities of wealth, boom and depression cycles, and unemployment. This selfish system encourages accumulation of wealth rather than serving others.

Politicians and political parties, thereby, become corrupt from political contributions from owners of great capital. Does this sound familiar?

Walter Taylor Winter Park

Don't overlook disabled people

The article "GOP, Obama far apart on Medicaid plans for Florida" (Orlando Sentinel, Wednesday) doesn't mention the disabled. I find it interesting that the elderly and the poor are mentioned, but the disabled are not.

It may be unintentional; however, it happens all too often. Is it because a majority of these individuals cannot vote? Their parents and caregivers do. The consistent omission of the disabled by the media must stop.

State Sen. Joe Negron says Paul Ryan's plan would allow some benefits to be excluded, like home-health services.

One of those vital services is personal-care assistance provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. Some children and adults with autism, and other disabilities, receive this service. Without it, parents cannot go to work.

Agency for Health Care Administration doctors have called it baby-sitting. I can assure you it is not baby-sitting; it is a necessary service for families who are dealing with behavioral issues that require assistance and respite. If this home-health service is eliminated, the unemployed rolls will grow because parents will have to quit working.

I implore Negron and the GOP to not make hasty decisions that will detrimentally affect these families and, in the long run, cost Florida more money.

Ven Sequenzia President, Autism Society of Florida, Orlando

Mitt followed rules

Did Gov. Mitt Romney write the existing income-tax regulations? No, previous Congresses did that.

Did he break those rules? The Internal Revenue Service says no.

Is he a smart enough businessman to use those regulations to minimize his tax burden? Yes.

Does President Obama deliberately ignore deductions and regulations so that he can pay more income tax than he has to? Do you? I think not.

Richard E. Wilkins Orlando

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-letters-lake-eola-houses-082312-20120822,0,1579488.story?track=rss

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