The Way I See ItBy cj pollickCaveat Emptor? - The concept of "buyer beware" was known to the ancients as well as generations throughout modern times. Nevertheless, it was interesting to notice one Clearwater city council member remind another council member the concept of caveat emptor, buyer beware. (Regarding condominium owners who bought property near what will soon become city boat slips for rental.) Strangely enough, the same could have been said to the owners of other nearby property who expressed interest in obtaining an agreement to rent most of the city boat slips. Buyer beware. Same might be said to the buyer of Calvary Church property where some of the land allegedly purchased was/is in ownership dispute. Caveat emptor? Yes, this is an important concept that usually demands perspective (if you are the prevailing party.) One side is unhappy, or worse, while the other side of the deal believes they were clever. That is why a good deal is when both sides walk away thinking they won. (Whether they did or not.) Perhaps that is why a few large prominent real estate properties sit empty on Clearwater Beach. What was once thought of as a good business deal now is not. Buyer beware. Good reminder for all of us . Severance Package for Spratt - County Administrator Steve Spratt was given a severance package worth over $250,000 plus $17,000 a year for health and dental insurance. $17,000 for health insurance? (Makes me wonder what the other county employees health insurance premiums are costing county taxpayers, who themselves may not be able to afford such insurance.) Talk about golden parachutes. Is there anyone watching the spending habits of those people running the county government? Taxpayers are unhappy with county leaders due to the Jim Smith land deal and now Spratt's "going away" present. Just how bad is it in our county government? How Would You Help To Build America's Economic Strength? -There are two vastly different ways candidates for the presidency want to handle the American economy: Increase taxes or decrease taxes. For most American taxpayers, this is a huge issue that has been swept under the carpet during campaign interviews with media types who seem to favor one set of candidates over others and only talk about the war. On one side there are candidates such as Obama, Hillary and Edwards who favor increasing taxes. On the other side are candidates such as Fred, Rudy and Mitt who favor decreasing taxes. What is the basis for this difference of tax opinion? According to the experts in economics, this is the difference: Tax decreases allow people and businesses to spend more money which helps to supply more money into American economy. Thus, this idea "frees-up" capital to spend on American goods and services. More money is put into the economy for growth and more jobs, etc. The other idea, to increase taxes, places more taxes on people who earn more than, say $200,000 a year, and taxes what would be called excess profits for American corporations. This idea would obtain more tax revenues from the larger income earners to help defray government spending needs. The two tax ideas have many highly educated experts who can defend the rational for accepting one form of taxes over the other. Bottom line? Voters must remember this tax issue when voting in 2008. Tax increases or tax decreases? Which one would you prefer? Funny thing about the wealthy and tax increases, Ross Perot (remember Ross "the Boss" Perot?) filed his financial statement, as all presidential candidates must do, and it reflected mostly tax-free bonds. Yes, tax-free instruments are out there for those who need such things. Then again, perhaps the wealthy would make use of offshore trust funds in places like the Kennedy's, etc. Tax the highest earners in America by increasing taxes and doing away with capital gains taxes? Remember Ross Perot. What might be lost is the volume of money that would be invested in America's corporations - - the stock market. How About Those Bucs? - Like many stay-at-home football fans on Sunday, I was amazed at the way the Bucs dominated the New Orleans Saints. Offense-defense-special teams - yes, even coaching was better for the Bucs. Wow, the Raymond James Stadium must have been rocking. Even though the 2007 NFL football season is barely underway, the Bucs have a relatively easy schedule and, by the way the Falcons are playing, the Bucs may have a good chance to (cough) have a good football season. Imagine! Of course, there is always the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts to use as a measuring stick when you begin to dream that the Bucs might be playoff contenders. Reality stinks.... How about those Bulls and Gators? - The Gators are now ranked number three in the football poll and the Bulls are ranked number 23 in the same national college football poll. Yes, the Bulls are the only other Florida ranked college football team (no Seminoles, no Hurricanes.) By the way, Florida easily beat a good Tennessee team last Saturday and, unless someone gets hurt on the Gators team, the Gators should make a clean sweep of the SEC. The Bulls play a good North Carolina football team this Saturday and, if they win, should move even higher in the college football rankings. Lastly, keep an eye on the FAU (Florida Atlantic University) football program. Last week they beat Minnesota, at Minnesota. Not bad for another upstart Division I college football program in Florida. (Howard Schellenberger of Miami fame is their coach.) GO BULLS, BEAT NC. (If you are a USF alum you should show support for your Tampa Bay team and attend the game on Saturday - - fill the stadium and yell like crazy.)
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