US isn’t Florida

Reality check of DeSantis’ blueprint | Miami Herald editorial, Sept. 11

The Miami Herald editorial is spot on in its assessment that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida blueprint wouldn’t work in Washington. With more than 20 years of Republican stranglehold on the levers of state government, any dedicated, ruthless right-wing ideologue could have done as well. Were he president, DeSantis would not have a spineless, lapdog Legislature and rudderless state judiciary that does not consider itself separate and co-equal. Based on the governor’s performance on the national stage, he is not ready for prime time and will be eaten alive by the federal powers that be.

Brian Walkowiak, St. Petersburg

Age-old problem

Biden is too old, and America knows it | Column, Sept. 9

The problem with President Joe Biden isn’t his age. It’s his brain.

James Molloy, Pinellas Park

Rays should pay for it

Rays ‘highly optimistic’ about getting St. Petersburg stadium deal done | Sept. 10

So Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg is willing to pay “more than half the cost” for a new stadium in St. Petersburg. Why don’t the Rays pay for all of it? I don’t understand why the taxpayers should have to come up with half a billion dollars or more when few of us would actually benefit from our “investment.”

Bruce Margolis, Lake Mary

A wake-up call

A doctor wonders where to call home | Sept. 10

This story hits the mark. As an OB-GYN who has practiced in Tampa for 40 years, I am certain that young physicians out of training will think twice about coming to Florida. The state of health care for women has reached a new low at a time when Florida faces a critical shortage of doctors. This article should be a wake-up call to voters who are tired of having a minority of politicians hijack the will of a public majority of citizens who don’t want government interfering with their health care.

Bruce Shephard, Tampa

What I will do

Here is how we save American democracy | Column, Sept. 9

I cannot move out of Florida, but I will do everything to make sure Donald Trump is not elected. I will counter lies with truth by researching and not just repeating the talking heads. I will keep on fighting for democracy.

Ann Weeks, Lakeland