Church and state

Vouchers spur price hike | May 31

Long before our Constitution was ratified, immigrants fled to our nation to escape the entanglement of religion and government. Florida’s pseudo-conservative GOP, governor and Legislature alike, have repeatedly blurred that separation, and this article clearly describes the latest violation. A religious school is playing a shell game, artificially raising the cost of its education so as not to “leave money on the table,” as they say. Florida is now officially in the business of backing sectarian institutions, and it doesn’t take much “wokeness” to detect the problem. That isn’t an earthquake we feel: It is Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Ben Franklin and John Adams rolling in their graves as Gov. Ron DeSantis and his minions destroy another American taboo.

Stephen Phillips, St. Petersburg

I paid for Catholic school

Vouchers spur price hike | May 31

I am devoted to the Constitution’s separation of church and state. I previously had my children in Catholic school, and I did not receive help in paying tuition, which is how I believe it is supposed to be. Giving public money to non-public schools deprives public schools of that resource. I am totally against this.

Jeffrey Kenny, Seminole

Fix the cost of insurance

Citizens Insurance is raising rates by double digits | June 1

We don’t have Citizens Insurance. Our insurance went up 25% this year and multiples of that over the last five years. A 10% rate hike would be easier to deal with. Our insurance and property taxes come to $800 a month now with no mortgage. Our insurance includes reduction for roof nailing and tie downs that amount to $3,000. How many more years of rate hikes before we consider moving out of Florida? The Florida government is focused on issues that affect only some people, while the major issues are ignored. How long is this going to continue?

Dave Hinz, Clearwater

My one issue: truth

My litmus test | Letter, June 1

The letter writer says that he is a one-issue voter (in this case, pro-life support). Before the 2020 election cycle, I never really understood considering only one issue in selecting a candidate. After that cycle, I decided that the only issue I would consider is “truth.” I don’t see how I would ever vote for a candidate who denies certified election results, claims they would consider pardoning people who attacked our government and/or was endorsed by Fox News.

Terry R. Arnold, Treasure Island