Opinion

Letters to the editor, Jan. 31

TBO.com
Published: January 31, 2013

Shining a light

All 535 voting members of Congress essentially fall into one of three categories: 1.) Those concerned about a possible primary election. 2.) Those concerned about the next general election. 3.) Those concerned with doing the right thing for their constituents and our country. Interestingly, each of these categories is represented in Tampa Bay.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, voted against the tax deal and Hurricane Sandy relief. His radical positions do not represent those of his constituents.

U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Seminole, votes with the Republican Party the vast majority of the time, yet looks for safe opportunities to join with Democrats. He voted for the tax deal and the disaster relief.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, votes with Democrats but joins with Republicans on the few remaining bipartisan issues. She is a rare gem, and the area is lucky to have found her.

We can discuss later as for the hows and whys Tampa Bay has three very different representatives in Washington, D.C. As for now, let's simply acknowledge this truth. More importantly, let's all shine a light on the words, actions and inactions of all of our representatives.

Jonathan Michael Snow

Tarpon Springs

Endless horrors

Does columnist Marty Moore, the master of unnamed sources for his "statistics," who recommended universal background checks for would-be gun buyers in his Jan. 24 column, also recommend that no one be allowed to privately sell a car or sell one at a car show for fear that the buyer might never register the car?

A person might not even have a driver's license or may have shown a false ID and is intending to use the vehicle in a homicidal or otherwise illegal and dangerous manner that causes it to be traced back to the original and innocent seller. What about stolen cars?

I will reiterate a fact that has so far been "inconvenient" to publish. Name a gun crime that isn't already against existing law in a federal, regional or local capacity. There is none.

How many crimes are committed using improperly purchased or stolen cars? How many deaths by accident happen even when legally used? Legally owned gun accidents vs. legally owned car accidents — Marty must have a statistic for that.

Is there is no end to the horrors that we face by not having the government know exactly what and when we do it. Lord, please help us — how do we survive?

Robert Renneberg

Hudson