The readers’ forum

The real loss: Public trust

Mayor Carlos Gimenez recently revealed that Miami-Dade County faces a $50 million-plus budget shortfall, alerting commissioners and employee unions that the county will seek continuation of sizable benefit concessions. According to a memo sent by Gimenez, these cuts are necessary if the county wants to maintain current public services. In other words, if you want clean water from your faucet or your garbage picked up, then your middle-class county employee will have to make a significant financial sacrifice. This reported shortfall also includes $15 million in the county’s fire-rescue budget, so please try not to play with matches.

Story overplayed on front page

Re the May 19 story Notoriety follows Rivera pal in Nicaragua: While most of us would find former U.S. Rep. David Rivera and Ana Alliegro, and their antics, despicable, I don’t think that nasty story about Alliegro and her goings-on in a small town in Nicaragua was worthy of the front page.

Who’s responsible for Benghazi?

The May 19 letter Let me out of GOP offers a simplistic explanation of the Benghazi attack. But many quetions remain unanswered:

Sacred character

“God created man in His image; he created him, male and female He created them.” Gen 1:7

Tea party not qualified

I would like to know exactly what social welfare projects the tea partiers have in mind, and what percentage of their donations will be allocated to said projects. It seems to me that they have allocated 100 percent to fostering their extreme right-wing opinions. That does not qualify them for tax-free status as a nonprofit charitable organization.

Give Congress a reality check

Letter writer Ann Chitty spoke of how members of Congress live in Washington, D.C., a showcase city, with guaranteed good salaries, healthcare and assured retirement income. These are three benefits not enjoyed by millions of middle-class Americans. The remedy is at hand — term limits, reduced salaries and benefits, and six-month performance evaluations. A good start would be to vote them all out of office as their terms expire and start afresh. Members of Congress need to relate to their middle-class constituency. Empathy can work wonders.

Tax break for Dolphins

It’s interesting how people look at expenditures from the state and cities. Are you aware of how many tax breaks companies are given to move to Florida? Why is money given? To create jobs, to add to our economy. No one looks at how much money the company makes, just what can be done to entice them to come here. The TV show Burn Notice has benefited from such tax breaks.

The readers’ forum

Creativity abounds for the mentally ill

National Art Exhibitions by The Mentally Ill Incorporated (NAEMI) is proud to celebrate its 25th year of existence. Established in 1998 to help persons with mental illness through the expression of their art, the organization has grown to where it is today. Whether you are a mental health practitioner, advocate or an art lover, you can appreciate how NAEMI has sought to recognize the artistic talent among many individuals suffering from mental illness.