Expanding Medicaid makes economic sense

Last month, Gov. Rick Scott announced that he was going to take the federal government up on its offer to cover the cost of Medicaid expansion in Florida. His decision would give health coverage to as many as 1.2 million additional low-income Floridians.

Miami must stop demolishing its history

Tuesday was a sad day for Miami Beach. The Design Review Board approved the complete demolition of 42 Star Island, a notable 1925 estate designed by Walter DeGarmo, Florida’s first registered architect. The home has a long history and is one of the most widely recognized homes in Miami Beach. It is the latest in a line of architecturally significant pre-1942 homes that have been approved for demolition in the past year - an eightfold increase over the prior year and an alarming number that threatens the unique tradition, aesthetics and character of our single-family neighborhoods.

Teen drivers should be safe drivers

A report released last month by the Governors Highway Safety Association found that fatal traffic crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers were higher nationwide during the first six months of 2012 than during the first six months of 2011.

Help newborns thrive

Nothing aches like having to watch a newborn child suffer. The pain that a parent, a sibling or even an attending physician experiences defies description.

U.S. Postal Service making big improvements

Re Josephine Kenna’s Feb. 22 Speakup Online letter, Post office too unreliable: I apologize to Ms. Kenna for her unpleasant experience at her post office and assure her that we aim to provide a level of service that makes our customers want to do business with us.

Charter schools operate at the expense of public schools

The first Florida charter school opened in Miami in 1996 with fewer than 100 students. Today, there are more than 47,000 students attending charter schools in Miami-Dade County. In some respects, this may be considered a success story that speaks to both entrepreneurial ingenuity and the Florida Legislature’s plan to deregulate a portion of the public education system. But now, more than 15 years later, it’s important for all of us — whether or not we have children in school — to take a serious look at what we have paid for and ensure that our best interests, and the interests of all our children, are being served.

Enact rule to protect bluefin tuna

The pilot program described in Sue Cocking’s Feb. 24 article, Study contains good news for bluefin tuna, also benefits prized game fish and the recreational anglers who target them.

Police should get out of their cars and keep Brickell traffic moving

As a 17-year Miami resident who lives on Brickell Key, I have seen how much this city has grown. With growth has come good and bad. Right now, I am writing about the bad.

FANM, Haitian Women of Miami celebrates 21 years of helping community

How many times have you read about a university or well-known institution receiving a major gift for a new library or hospital wing?

Rushing Wal-Mart’s plan for Midtown is a mistake

There are many reasons that Wal-Mart doesn’t belong in Midtown Miami. The existing roads bordering Midtown Miami already suffer from brutal gridlock. Adding an estimated 3,000 vehicles per day, fighting to occupy 580 free Wal-Mart parking spaces will only exacerbate the problem. Furthermore, frustrated drivers will seek shortcuts through Midtown’s residential roads creating a safety concern for pedestrians and cyclists.

Peace Corps volunteers deliver abroad — and at home

Mention the Peace Corps, and you might get a surprised “Is that still around?” In fact, Peace Corps Volunteers are still serving in 76 countries, and the more than 200,000 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who have served since President Kennedy created the organization by executive order on March 1, 1961 continue to serve in their communities, classrooms, nonprofits and government agencies.

Lawmakers stage assault on workers, home rule

Wage-theft and living-wage laws on the books in Miami-Dade and other counties in the state, once again, are under attack in the state Legislature.

Welcome to the land of inconsiderate

Observations of a visitor to South Florida:

Protect kids no matter where they learn

Local state representatives have proposed a property-tax increase, and the revenue generated would provide visible security in our schools. In view of recent events around the nations, this is a commendable proposal. Our children deserve the assurance that they can enjoy school in safety.

Haiti can’t build its future without confronting its brutal past

On Jan. 31, in a crowded and chaotic courtroom in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the main character in the drama was nowhere to be found. Ex-President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier had failed to appear for a hearing to determine whether charges that he was responsible for crimes against humanity could proceed. The presiding judge postponed the hearing until Feb. 7.

Pope has been our guide toward spiritual holiness

In a society that prods us to cling to possessions, positions, powers and titles, the concept of spiritual detachment is often misunderstood. In some circles, it is completely forgotten. Still, spiritual detachment is a staple of Catholic spiritual tradition. Spiritual detachment has been described as “the virtue that frees man from any inordinate or excessive attachment to another person, thing or state of mind. Detachment should be seen within the overall context of the universal call to holiness . . . detachment is a virtue to be exercised in the midst of the world because it bears strong witness here and now to the ultimate aim of our existence: attachment to God alone in eternity.”

Miami, Gables practice ‘brick-and-mortar’ racism

I have been invested in the Coconut Grove community for 20 years, as a volunteer, an employee of a business there and a concerned citizen. Moving Coral Gables’ trolley-bus repair depot to the West Grove is an action steeped in historical injustice. Once again, this pleasant community is being treated unjustly, with condescension and with a sense of privileged charity by those in power, whether they are business people or politicians.

Post office is too unreliable

I don’t use the post office to send packages. I wonder how many other people have turned away from shipping with the U.S. Postal Service. Unless changes are made, the decline in shipping packages will lead to deficits and cutbacks. I would rather support our post office instead of going to a commercial shipper, but the services rendered are inefficient and waste my time.

Catholic Church still stands on firm moral grounds

Re Fabiola Santiago’s Feb. 12 column, Vatican must modernize beyond opening a Twitter account: The Catholic and Apostolic Church has been around for more than 2,000 years. It has gone through many changes, both positive and negative. But the essence and cornerstone of the church, the basis for its existence and its moral grounds have been unchanging, irreproachable and infallible.

End permanent alimony

The Florida Legislature has before it proposed legislation to finally overhaul our state’s outdated permanent-alimony laws. Florida is one of the few states that still allows a former spouse to receive a lifetime of support, even after a short-term marriage to a healthy spouse of 10 years or less.

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