MORE STORIES

• No appreciation

  Re the May 10 article, Haiti travel getting more competitive: Over the last few decades the United States has poured tens of billions of taxpayer dollars into Haiti and continues to do so.

• Mother’s Day special

  There are still good people in this world. On Mother’s Day eve, my friend Maxine and I went to dinner at Captain’s Tavern. When it was time for the check our waiter appeared with a folded paper that had Happy Mother’s Day written on it. He handed it to us and said, “It’s taken care of. You can go.” What? I looked around for a familiar face. There was no one I knew, but the waiter indicated the table behind him. There were about six people there and one of the women pointed to a distinguished looking gentleman. I was in such a state of shock I never asked his name, but I did tell him how much we appreciated his kindness as neither of us has children in Florida, making his generosity incredibly special. You sweet man, I hope you read this.

• It’s now clear

  Now I completely understand why the Florida House of Representatives declined to accept the $51 billion to expand Medicaid. It’s because healthcare is currently affordable.

• The 51st state

  The 2013 Florida legislative session is over and I hope fellow Miami-Dade countians and other South Florida residents will review the decisions made and results inflicted upon us and come to the proper conclusion.

• The readers’ forum

  Peaceful centenarians

  Imagine for a moment what it would be like to live your life with absolutely no regrets. If this is difficult to envision now, just give it some time — maybe even a few decades. According to new research, many of the longest-living Americans wouldn’t change a thing about how they lived their lives.

• Bad behavior

  Re the May 10 article, Heat fan who gave the bird to a Bull: I think Filomena Tobias should be ashamed of herself for her nasty gesture at a recent Heat game. If someone can get so worked up over a basketball game, you have to wonder what other hateful things she is capable of. As a parent of a 13-year-old who has played sports all his life, I see parents getting out of hand in the stands all the time. It’s hard to set a good example for our children when you see adults acting this way. Unfortunately, it seems this country awards people for this kind of behavior. Tobias will probably now get her own reality TV show.

• A needed voice

  It is with great pride as a citizen that I read the May 9 editorial, Save Miami Marine Stadium. Your message is clear and to the point: Move on with this unique effort that for the first time doesn’t ask for public funds but, to the contrary, has dedicated five years of work with community organizations and private philanthropy to gift a totally restored and renovated facility and public waterfront park to our citizenry. Hopefully, we have just begun the first of a new tradition! Thank you for your needed voice.

• Who pays?

  Charles Rabin’s May 11 article, Rotting pipes carry big cost, describes the serious problems that Miami-Dade County has dealing with its antiquated sewer system. Therefore, by simple logic, all households that use the sewer system need to be assessed the appropriate amount to fix the system.

• Tax dodgers

  Re the May 15 article, Top IRS official didn’t reveal tea party targeting:

• Displaced Palestinians

  Mainstream media has completely ignored the plight of Palestinians in Syria.

• The readers’ forum

  MDC helps students discover potential

  The study of the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), reported in the May 8 article, Some remedial math classes unnecessary at community colleges, raises important questions about college and career readiness. The study accurately reports that more than half of all students entering community colleges require remedial courses. At Miami Dade College (MDC), 72 percent of entering students require remedial support.

• Inadequate healthcare

  Last year the Legislature almost unanimously passed a law that even the right-wing governor conceded was probably unconstitutional. The law essentially let the state set foreign policy by banning any business with Cuban business ties from acquiring local and state government contracts.

• Committed to quality

  Letter writer Shirlee Leifert suggests that ALF residents are an endangered species, but she’s painting with a very broad brush. A handful of bad players have caused harm, but the vast majority of ALFs are committed to the highest standards of quality care. The few bad players don’t represent the industry as a whole.

• No fault alimony

  Gov, Rick Scott’s attempt to justify his veto of alimony reform painted a deceptively rosy picture of existing Florida law. In the May 1 article, Gov. Rick Scott vetoes alimony bill, he falsely claimed that “current Florida law already provides for the adjustment of alimony under the proper circumstances.” No, it doesn’t. Florida courts sometimes impose permanent alimony on guiltless spouses after no-fault divorces. Then, in all too many cases, they improperly refuse to adjust alimony in response to circumstances plainly warranting a reduction, such as the loss of a job, bad health, or the need to retire.

• Prelude to employment

  I found it interesting that Barry University includes questions about conducting employment interviews and how many internships might be available for Barry students to pursue in negotiations with potential vendors. Certainly this is a valuable service for its students. What I did find troubling about the tone of the May 9 article, Colleges work to stay relevant, is the implication that college education is merely a prelude to gainful employment.

• Street vendors’ havoc

  I applaud Hialeah for its recent and ongoing crackdown on street vendors. I only wish other cities would follow suit. Many of these street vendors and panhandlers have absolutely no regard for the law when it comes to getting off the street when traffic lights turn green. This creates a dangerous situation for both the vendor and the driver who has to make a concentrated effort to not hit them. It also disrupts the normal flow of traffic and creates jams at many intersections.

• A country aflame

  Re the April 24 article, Hate mail and the state of our nation’s Union: Thanks to Leonard Pitts for saying the truth about the state of our dis-Union. We have become a nation of narcissists in a world that’s aflame.

• Legislative inaction

  The May 4 article, Failed Medicaid deal may cost Florida firms, confirms that illogical and irrational thinking is alive and well in Tallahassee. A blind, partisan mentality by Republicans in the Legislature has resulted in rejecting Medicaid expansion. This will mean that some 1 million Floridians will go without health insurance, resulting in suffering and probably the death of many, and will continue to burden local taxpayers who support public emergency rooms.

• The readers’ forum

  PSC doublespeak threatens local land use planning

  Will Florida’s precious coastal treasures — undeveloped coastal areas beloved by residents and tourists — be lost by an anti-solar stroke of the Florida Public Service Commission’s pen? It doesn’t look good.

• Enlightened Americans

  As Americans we like to view our society as one of enlightenment, or as President Ronald Reagan once said, “Mankind’s last best chance.” Yet, for some unknown reason people like Glenn Garvin want to drag us back in to the Dark Ages.

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