DeSantis protects dogs, mistreats immigrants
It was ironic and sad to see in the paper May 30 a photo of Gov. Ron DeSantis standing by a lectern with the big banner “Florida Loves Dogs” (“Florida animal cruelty penalties increase under new laws”).
Especially when the next day’s newspaper printed a heart-wrenching article about a Tallahassee ICE raid in which immigrants on a construction site were indiscriminately rounded up for deportation (“Tallahassee ICE raid believed to be one of the largest in Florida,” May 31).
The men, who were building college dorms, were reportedly shackled with metal zip-tie handcuffs and loaded onto a bus.
One officer yelled, “Get on the (expletive) ground!”
It’s abundantly clear that the DeSantis administration values hardworking immigrants, most of whom came here seeking asylum, less than it does dogs.
I am ashamed to be a witness to this disturbingly unjust operation.
Cheryl L. Randall, Venice
Exempt all seniors from Fla. property tax
A lot is going on in Florida and Washington, D.C.
I totally support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign to eliminate the property tax. But knowing how county and city commissioners work, I am sure they will find ways to gain those lost dollars back.
DeSantis should call a special session ASAP and rewrite the property tax exemption for seniors 65 and older. Remove “qualifying income” and replace it with everyone 65 and older qualifies.
If your elected officials do not support that, then vote them out!
I also support Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, on House Bill 983, which would authorize local law enforcement agencies to investigate, audit and inspect homeowners associations.
I was born and raised in Washington and saw the birth of our metro system, the best in the nation.
Now an outsider, Sarasota’s Rep. Greg Steube, wants to name it after President Donald J. Trump.
Steube? Are you serious?
Thank goodness, President Trump got rid of Black Lives Matter plaza in D.C.
I hope Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin changes Emancipation Highway back to Jefferson Davis Highway.
Leave history alone.
You want to name a train after President Trump, let it be a locomotive.
Elizabeth Martin Sullivan, Braden River
Musk fails at government, car sales
Billionaire Elon Musk supposedly left the government in a White House ceremony the other day, but President Donald Trump added a parting, “He’ll be back … he’ll be around.”
In the 130 days that Musk and his DOGE techies ravaged the government with his buzzsaw approach to getting rid of fraud and waste, his results have been poor. His agency cuts and layoffs have been deemed as mostly illegal because those powers rest with Congress.
Musk became “toxic” when he poured $21 million into his Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate, and lost.
His dancing around the stage antics with a cheesehead hat insulted Wisconsinites who showed their dislike when they voted overwhelmingly against his candidate.
Musk could now write a book titled, “How to destroy your brand name, and become America’s most hated person in 100 days.”
His image as a genius entrepreneur has been replaced by that of a childish, super-wealthy, unempathetic weirdo who doesn’t understand government and wants to populate the world with his children.
Tesla car sales are way down as people worldwide have gotten similarly repulsed by Musk’s persona and other electric and hybrid car alternatives have entered the car market at lower price points.
Elon, was it worth it?
Tyler Cassell, North Venice
Trump disrespects veterans, their service
Wearing his red MAGA hat as if he were at one of his rallies, President Donald Trump spoke at West Point’s graduation May 24, attacking DEI and accusing the armed forces of being too weak.
Pretty big words from a guy who dodged military service.
After his speech, Trump skipped the traditional shaking of each graduate’s hand and left the ceremony for a round on the links at the Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey.
We are blessed here in Southwest Florida to live in a community that honors and respects veterans and their service to our country.
From the Vietnam Wall in Punta Gorda to the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte, we are presented with constant reminders of the meaning of sacrifice.
Yet we have managed to elect as president someone who does not share those views. How tragic.
Cynthia Hardy, Port Charlotte
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis cares more about pets than people | Letters
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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