Regarding “Moving to Mexico” (John Grant, Views, May 11): I normally read John Grant’s Sunday column to examine a point of view that is likely to be in conflict with my own. As an engaged citizen. I believe this is an important part of my participation in democracy. After reading Grant’s rant on immigration, via a tongue-in-cheek (read foot-in-mouth) letter to the Mexican president, I am profoundly outraged by the blatant racism expressed in his clumsy approach to the immigration issue.
The presumption that the Mexican population embodies the essence of the illegal immigrant is outrageous. To further presume that any misuse of our social safety net lies at their hands is equally outrageous.
I am sorely tempted to debate John’s column on its many logical failures, but I don’t reason with bigots. John, minus a sincere and heartfelt apology, I am done with you.
John Grant’s “Moving to Mexico” demonstrated that a bunch of compassionate good ideas taken as a whole are a disastrous policy when taken as a whole. Noble aims do not necessarily produce good policy.
Trusts and trust
Regarding “Will won’t keep beneficiaries out of probate” (Kemi Oguntebi, Legal Ease, Business, May 11):
First, I’m glad to see a new writer in the Business section. She will be a welcome addition. However, her column was good but missed a very important point. A well-prepared Family Living Trust agreement supersedes the requirement for probate court in its entirety. The simple A-B-C Trust that is most common provides a seamless transition of assets to other members of the trust and has been used for over three hundred years to avoid onerous taxation of assets. That was one of the mitigating factors in my wife and I preparing ours in Texas many years ago.
The second mitigating factor was the much-publicized charging, arrest and conviction of the San Antonio, Texas, probate court clerk for having ripped off virtually every case that came before him. At that time, in the mid-1990s, he had the accumulated the largest documented collection of Ferrari automobiles in North America — all on a $28,000 annual salary (source: San Antonio Express News). The probate court was found woefully negligent, and significant monies were required to be repaid to the many estates that were effected, but only if they filed for it. Perhaps she may present a follow-up article on how to avoid such unnecessary taxation in her next article. I wish her well.
Do you know where your political contributions are going? Did you watch “60 Minutes” on Sunday night? The show was an investigation of your political representatives in Washington and how they are spending your contributions.
While nepotism is illegal, meaning a politician cannot hire a family member to work directly for them, they can hire them as campaign workers or be a member of a political action committee. One politician hired his two daughters to the tune of $130,000.
Another politician spent over $100,000 having meetings with members of his PAC at premier golf courses. Those are just two examples; there are many more.
Every politician, when asked about this, stated they were doing nothing illegal. Is there a law against this use of your money? No. Should there be? Yes. Why isn’t there?
A member of the House, a Republican, and a senator, a Democrat, have put together a bill banning these actions. Why isn’t this bill being voted on? Because they can’t even bring it up for a vote in either chamber. What is your representative doing with your contributions? Why hasn’t he and the other members of the House and Senate brought this up for a vote? Next time you see “Honest Abe” ask him that question.
Cyclists, walkers and drivers
Regarding “Dangerous situation” (Views, May 10): First of all, Bayshore Boulevard has a sidewalk on the west side of the street, and I rarely see bicycles on the sidewalk.
On the bay side of the street there is Bayshore Trail. I often ride my bicycle on Bayshore Trail, and I am keenly aware of walkers and runners, most of whom follow trail etiquette to stay to the right. I use my very loud bell to alert walkers of my presence.
But on several occasions after ringing the bell more than once, I have had to yell at the walkers who wandered across the trail and could not hear my bell because of loud music playing in their (earphones). So, fault is not always with the cyclist. Finally, Bayshore may have clearly marked lanes for bicycles, but it is far from safe, with drivers speeding along at 40 mph to 50 mph and only 3 feet separating the cyclist from instant death.
I took off on Delta 2591 from Tampa heading to Cincinnati. At about 9 a.m. I heard what sounded like a big down-shift in gears or total loss of gears. The captain canceled service and then told us we were landing in Tallahassee. We had lost the right engine. Emergency vehicles gave us a red-carpet welcome. At least I arrived in style!
Bankim M. Gugaria