Trump wants less oversight of corporations but what about Florida insurance companies? | Opinion
Insurance fraud
Re: the Feb. 24 story, “State study found Florida insurers sent billions to affiliates while crying poor.” The principals of Florida’s insurers stole company funds by sending that money, via inflated contracts, to subsidiaries and overpaying their executives, all to enrich themselves while saying the companies were going broke (and some did).
The Florida Legislature was denied a report that disclosed this fraud, while Gov. DeSantis convinced legislators to take away policyholders’ rights to recover for legitimate losses and their right to affordable access to counsel.
On a national level, President Trump wants less oversight of corporate opportunity for corruption. Fraud, corruption and greed on the corporate level far exceed government fraud, corruption and waste.
Richard Masington,
Coral Gables
Hands off USAID
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy and humanitarian efforts. Operating on less than 1% of the federal budget, USAID delivers substantial returns by fostering global stability and opening markets for American businesses. Its initiatives have been pivotal in reducing poverty and providing education in developing countries. The agency’s health programs have saved millions of lives, combating diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, while responding swiftly to natural disasters.
The recent attacks on USAID are unfounded and jeopardize global welfare and our national interests. As a Florida voter, I call upon Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and our congressional representatives to defend USAID and its dedicated American employees. Dismantling this agency would not only undermine decades of effective foreign policy but also tarnish America’s reputation as a beacon of hope and assistance. Upholding the values that define our nation by supporting USAID’s mission and the thousands of professionals who serve under its banner is imperative.
Grisel d’Elena,
Miami
Projecting concern
The mainstream press, including the Miami Herald, continue to remind us about concern for those being rounded up without entry permission. There are plenty here who have contributed to this land and hopefully, they will not be caught in the resettling of those who must be sent across borders or jailed.
The mainstream media has had a hand, however, in the repatriation actions of those they are so concerned about, by supporting undocumented immigrants at the expense of and, at times, the safety, of our citizens.
The media has not done themselves nor those who may be deserving any favors. Had the left wing media not been so one-sided, there would not have been the need to settle the score.
Michael G. Merhige,
Miami
Trump’s distractions
I doubt many people have forgotten that Russia started the war in Ukraine. Ukrainians see their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, increasingly favorably, at 57%. That’s better than President Trump’s own 46.5% rating, per fivethirtyeight.com (as of Feb. 19).
That Trump has tried to turn history backwards while wading into this war only distracts him from what he was elected to do — make prices come down and make living for working people enjoyable again.
Pay attention, President Trump and focus on us.
Mary Zins,
Miami
Democracy shattered
Our democracy is already at an end. When prosecutors and FBI investigators are fired because of who they investigated and prosecuted, it sends a chilling and unmistakable warning: “Don’t dare to even try to hold us accountable.”
This is the end of an independent judicial system, which is the single most important guardrail of democracy.
Ed Shohat,
Coconut Grove
Save our ship
The decision to scuttle the SS United States — America’s greatest ocean liner and a symbol of our nation’s maritime heritage — is nothing short of a disgrace. Florida’s Okaloosa County, with its enthusiasm for sinking this historic vessel to make it a tourist attraction, reflects a troubling priority: revenue over remembrance.
The SS United States is not just any old ship. She shattered transatlantic speed records, served in Cold War contingency plans and remains a testament to American engineering and craftsmanship. Instead of honoring her legacy through preservation, officials are content to let her rot beneath the waves. This decision is a failure of vision.
Across the world, nations cherish their historic ships, turning them into museums and educational centers. Yet here we are, preparing to discard one of our own greatest achievements. Maritime history is not just about the past — it’s about national pride, innovation and the stories we choose to tell future generations.
Okaloosa County has chosen profit over preservation. That should outrage every American who values our seafaring legacy. The SS United States deserves better. If we sink her, we sink a part of ourselves.
J. Jurek,
Virginia Beach, VA
American dishonor?
We have become a nation without honor. Our elected president openly lies. We rely on the press, the only profession named in our Constitution, to keep us informed.
Like the elected leader of any group, the president is usually the spokesman assigned to speak for the group. We have elected this president to speak for us. When he tells an intentional untruth, he involves us all in the lie. In doing so, he dishonors us all.
When our president claims that the small country of Ukraine was the aggressor in the conflict with Russia, a nation occupying 11 time zones, that alone is reasonably absurd. Russia amassed troops and tanks along the Belarus border with Ukraine and crossed south into Ukraine in February of 2022. I have watched the progress of this war ever since.
The Russian leader told his citizens that Ukraine is the aggressor. For the American president to agree with him supports his lie. This is a war that has not gone well for Russia. I’m sure the reason for this untruth could not be that our president wants to open a resort hotel in Moscow.
George Stevenson,
DeLand
Private matters
If President Trump grants Elon Musk access to my tax returns, then I demand the same of him. If my tax returns are no longer private then neither are Trump’s or Musk’s, and I want access to their corporate and personal returns.
As a matter of fact, let’s publish those returns in the national press. I want to see how much Trump has — or has not — contributed to the national treasury of this country by paying his taxes.
I am not a public figure and I have a right to privacy. I am not giving up that right. Musk has no right to see my private and confidential information.
Sue Ann Campbell,
Cutler Bay
Call your congressman
I was proud of the less-than-one percent of my taxes that were helping millions of people around the world fight hunger and disease. That pittance has had such profound effects on the elimination of diseases that could come here. That help also increased the circle of admirers and friends of the United States.
Certainly there are mistakes and misspending in any large government program, but they should be addressed individually, by external oversight, not by firing the inspectors general.
Would a rational person eliminate law enforcement and judiciary to eliminate crime statistics?
Our president seems to think so and is blind to the hard, detailed work that would entail. He is also blind to the history that has proved such arrogation and misuse of power to always have brought downfall to the civilizations that went down that path.
In this instance, our only hope is mass action of voters to tell their representatives to stop this power-politics-over-all thinking. If they don’t, then we’ll be following the downward trails blazed by the likes of North Korea, Venezuela and Russia, to mention just a few.
J. Trigg Adams,
Miami
So confused
Is Donald Trump the President of the United States or the Russian Ambassador to America?
John Bonano,
Gulfport