No new taxes

In 2014, the state  Senate tried to force expansion of Florida’s Medicaid program. Gov. Scott firmly said no. The budget was held hostage to that effort and Scott eventually prevailed.

Scott's fear that a U.S. government running trillions in deficits will eventually stop funding the program leaving the state to cover 100 percent of costs is legitimate. We ran the numbers.

What would a 100 percent, Florida state-only funded and expanded Medicaid program really mean to Floridians? A new Florida state income tax. There simply is no other source of money to be had. Corporate taxes, increased fees and other mechanisms wouldn’t even make a dent.

Yet, Democrat Andrew Gillum presents voters with the same situation.

Floridians, do you want to pay a new state income tax? There simply are not enough rich people, corporations or snowbirds to tax to pay the cost of Gillum’s agenda.

Low taxes, reduced regulations and a business friendly environment have created a vibrant Florida economy.
A Gillum governorship means a new Florida state income tax. And a crippled economy. 

Mark Generales, Fort Myers 

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Not fooled

Political commercials would be funny if they weren't so nauseating. They are loaded with lies, deceit, slander, and hypocrisy.  But, there is one such commercial that stands out in this trash heap: Florida Gov.Rick Scott strolling through a low income housing community hugging the residents and picking up trash.

These people, with whom he appears to be so concerned, are the same people who would greatly benefit from an expansion of Medicaid.  Unfortunately, Scott has thwarted every attempt the federal and state governments have initiated to do so.  He may fool you, but he doesn't fool me.

Jay Custa, Estero

Understand law

In response to the article in the Aug. 29, 2018 edition of “Woman left unable to vote."  The woman was offered the ability to vote by provisional ballot. The law states that she must provide an address to determine her district where she should vote and to verify that she can be allowed to vote in Florida in advance of the elections. 

Why not use the address where she resides with friends until she obtains her own principal residence?  She claims that it is not her fault but the county’s fault due to her inability to understand the law. 

Lastly, the race card had no place in this article. The reporter did not need to include this issue as it was not relevant to the circumstances. 

Glen J Sikorski, Fort Myers

Not positive

A recent letter complained that mainstream rarely prints or broadcasts a positive story about Donald Trump. That it proves the Donald Trump claim that mainstream media is "fake news."

There is another reason that explains why positive stories about Trump are so rare. Unlike fantasy claims, there is a simple explanation that is the truth. Trump rarely does anything that is positive. He rants on Twitter, he demeans others, he alienates our allies, his staff makes the news when they resign, or are indicted. There's not much "positive" in those events, or anything else involving Trump.

There is another reason, that explains a lot. Donald Trump is a liar. He lies to his supporters, he lies to the media, he lies to our allies, and there's hardly a day go by without Trump lying to Americans.

Some also the claim there is some sort of conspiracy among the media to "undue a legitimate election." Would that be the election that Vladimir Putin and Russia interfered in? 

Kenny Belford, Cape Coral

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Report fairly

Are phrases such as "monkey business"," monkeying around" and anything else concerning a monkey now on the same terrible list as the other infamous word? What is the matter with the news media?

Years ago, a car salesman was considered the so called "bottom of the barrel." Without a doubt, the news media has taken over that position. They don't report both sides of a story and report only what they want it to be.

I certainly hope the American voter can understand what fake news is and how the news media is trying to change our country to their way of thinking and voting. 

Charles Aleman, south Fort Myers 

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