Advertisement

Monday's letters: Immigrants contribute to the economy

 
Published Aug. 12, 2016

Immigration

Immigrants add to the economy

A new study from the Partnership for a New American Economy includes data about the contributions of immigrants in Florida. In 2014, undocumented immigrants in Florida contributed $211.6 million to fund Medicare and $857.3 million to fund Social Security. These funds are crucial to the financial stability of these programs.

With the government already struggling to keep these programs funded, it is reasonable to assume that if mass deportation occurred, the government would have to raise taxes in an already weak economy, cut services to seniors who spent their entire lives contributing to these programs, or allow the programs to continue down a path toward bankruptcy. But it isn't only these funds that benefit from this tax revenue; immigrants in Florida contribute $6.4 billion in state and local taxes.

In fact, mass deportation could cost the federal government $600 billion in new government spending to forcefully remove the 11.5 million undocumented people living in the United States.

Congress has waited far too long to address immigration reform head-on. Everyone agrees that we must secure our border to crack down on future illegal immigration, but we also must pass legislation that outlines a reasonable and realistic solution to the millions of undocumented people already living here. The time has come to fix our broken system and pass comprehensive immigration reform for the sake of our state and our citizens.

Austin Curry, executive director, Elder Care Advocacy of Florida, Tampa

Olympics

Athletes set an example

If only NBC would rebroadcast Olympic highlights, as well as clips of those who competed so hard and didn't get a medal, every day leading up to the November election. What a wonderful example of positive thinking, hard work, loyalty to a team, family sacrifices, global friendship and good sportsmanship the Olympics are.

And what a contrast to the negativity of the campaigns for president. Not one young athlete who lost a race or game called the result "rigged" or joked about getting rid of an opponent. What wonderful young people we and other countries have produced. We don't need to make America great again. It is already great, and these fine young athletes are proof.

Irene Sullivan, Pinellas Park

Glades fix 'No. 1 priority' | Aug. 10

Land purchase disparities

I was happy to see that preserving the Everglades is a priority of one powerful elected official in Florida. The voters of Florida voted to make preservation of our natural resources a priority when they overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1.

However, I am somewhat confused by the inference that cooperation from the landowners, primarily sugar corporations, is required for the land buy to occur. If Florida can take land from homeowners, nonprofit organizations and business owners in Tampa under eminent domain to build what will essentially be a privately owned toll road in the face of substantial opposition, why does the article not mention this option of acquiring land if consent is not obtained? Seems like once again it is assumed that corporations have rights private citizens and small business owners can only dream of.

Cathy R. Haggerty, Largo

Campaign 2016

Taking care of business

Donald Trump is constantly criticized for manufacturing much of his merchandise outside the country. There are very good reasons for this. First of all, he is a businessman and as such his motivation is to produce a product and realize a profit. The abundance of regulations and taxes that are levied on businesses in this country make it difficult to be competitive in our markets. Only a fool would not take advantage of goods and services outsourced to foreign countries.

One of his main promises on being elected is to reduce ridiculous obstacles to small business in the form of overregulation and taxation that prevent expansion and investment at home. His plan would allow more and better jobs to be available, thus stimulating the economy.

Don Niemann, Seminole

Unable to apologize

The controversy surrounding Donald Trump's intended message to Second Amendment advocates misses the bigger picture. Even if you assume his intended meaning was peaceful, as he claims, the appropriate thing would have been for him to simply state, "I apologize to anyone who may have misconstrued my intended meaning." Unfortunately, this candidate lacks the capacity to apologize to anyone for anything at any time, and therein lies the problem.

When we elect our president, his or her views of government policy should be only a part of our consideration. Whomever we elect will be the face of our nation and responsible to provide our country with moral leadership.

Gary Cohen, Tampa

Woman saves cat | Aug. 9

Watch out for abuser

Thank goodness for the kind woman who stopped on the Howard Frankland Bridge to save a kitten that apparently was thrown from a truck. Claudette Zoll did her part, as did firefighters, Road Rangers and troopers, all of whom worked together to save the feline.

Now it's time for the rest of us. Dead cats have been turning up along the bridge in recent months, the obvious victims of a sick animal abuser. Those who travel the bridge should be extra vigilant and watch for stranded or suffering cats. Call authorities if you see someone throw something out of a car. A license tag number would be especially helpful.

Law enforcement, prosecutors and judges must do their parts, too. Arresting animal abusers and vigorously prosecuting them should be a top priority.

Deborah Van Pelt, Tampa