Despite conviction, there’s no do-over for Miami voters duped by ‘ghost’ candidate scheme

Slow justice

Re: the Oct. 2 story, "Ex-Sen. Artiles is convicted in case involving ghost candidate." It only took four years to determine what observers and logic dictated was the guilt of Frank Artiles in the scamming of our local voters. We are still stuck, however, with State Sen. Ileana Garcia as a result of this scam.

Meanwhile, because FPL is too powerful, Judge Aileen Cannon makes another political statement and allows FPL to skate.

George L. Ellis,

Storm coverage

I don't normally prefer government centralization over private responsibility. However, concerns are increasing regarding hurricane damage and insurance protections that do not seem to be working as they should.

Now, insurance companies are walking away, while providing less coverage at higher premiums.

There must be one national coverage for hurricane wind storm and flood. All would participate, but with a graduated scale of premiums based on risk history. Florida residents would pay more than those in Wyoming, while flood zone premiums would continue.

Similar to what Medicare pays for coverage on doctor and hospital charges, a related control should work for contractor repairs. Overcharging would be less but fraud would still be a concern. The greater the population, the more the damage, the more frequent the complaints about insurance protection. This will grow.

There are no panaceas for these national occurrences, but coverage is becoming less affordable with less guarantee of proper protection.

Michael G. Merhige,

Say no to weed

Kudos to Donna Shalala, former secretary for Health and Human services and member of Congress, for her Oct. 1 op-ed, "Why Amendment 3 is bad policy for Florida."

Rita Alvarez,

Voters' priorities

According to most polls, the principal issues for voters are the economy, immigration and women's reproductive rights. Apparently, protecting democracy is no longer a top-tier concern. In the 2022 midterm election, 70% of registered voters said preservation of democracy was a priority. The willingness of most of the electorate to subordinate freedom to other matters since then, is a profound mindset adjustment and most troubling.

Ex-President Donald Trump — with his history of undermining long-standing democratic institutions, especially the rule of law — continues to subvert the most fundamental right of democracy: voting. He is already claiming that if Vice President Kamala Harris wins in November, it could only be the result of a fraud-based tally.

Since our nation's founding, countless Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of democracy. Let's not desecrate the graves of the fallen by re-electing a subversive who assaults the freedoms they died to protect.

Jim Paladino,

Cost of war

Re: the Oct. 1 story, "Has U.S. swayed Israel not to conduct full invasion of Lebanon?" Perhaps Israel's reason for reducing its venom on Lebanon has more to do with the Roman Empire than pressure by the United States. Roman emperors learned that wars are very costly and the public is fickle. Prolonged wars stress the treasury and the effects of taxation makes the populace restless.

Israel is facing the reduction of its bond ratings due to the burden of its perpetual warfare with Palestine and now its extension into Lebanon. The cost of waging war and maintaining a large standing force is hugely expensive.

On Sept. 27, Moody's downgraded Israel's credit rating two notches, from "A2" to "Baa1" and maintained a negative outlook amid the escalation in the region. Moody's said the downgrade reflected its view of the risk of Israel's creditworthiness in the near and longer term. Moody's also said the ratings could be downgraded further if the heightened tension with Hezbollah turned into a full-scale conflict.

Elaine Eachus,

Political penalties

While we have strict laws regarding the election process, some candidates break these rules and benefit from "ghost" candidates, illegal contributions and not living within the district they represent.

Punishment for these violations usually consist of a fine and a please-don't-do-it-again — but such candidates get to keep their office. Laws must be strengthened to protect citizens.

Punishment should prohibit any candidate who benefits from illegal campaign contributions or aid. They must give up their office and be banned from holding future positions for at least five years.

Art Young,

West Kendall

Florida is failing

We spend $3,000 a year on educating preschoolers and $30,000 a year on housing inmates. Out of 10 benchmarks, Florida cleared four for providing quality education to preschoolers.

I voted to have a Florida lottery many years ago because we were told the money would go for education.

Whose education? Charter school students?

Talk about stupid spending. But let's continue.

A new Florida law bans homeless people from camping in public spaces but doesn't provide any funds for viable housing alternatives. The law doesn't specify what cities should do with their homeless population.

Our state is deteriorating daily. It's time for a change of our government officials.

Bonnie Webman,

Just vote

Political parties began emerging in the United States in the 1790's, in the political division between the Federalists and Republicans. Neither party accepted the legitimacy of the other and each believed the other was out to destroy our democratic republic. Each thought they were the legitimate administration and represented the best interests and common good of the people.

Does this sound familiar? Is anyone else getting sick and tired of each of our two parties today asserting that the other is going to destroy our democracy and our country?

I am. How about we just let our electoral system work. We vote for the candidates we think have the best platform and policies that will be in the best interest of us all. Voter apathy is the greatest threat to democracy.

Charles Michael Sitero,

Ormond Beach

Promising candidate

Because neither the Democratic nor Republican presidential nominees appeal to me, as they are not in the mold of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Reagan, Clinton, or Obama, I will be casting a write-in vote for Jamie Dimon (legal name James Dimon) on the line provided on my mail-in ballot.

Dimon is the exceptional chief executive officer of JP Morgan Chase, our largest banking conglomerate, and an excellent leader and manager. Of course, he will not win, but if several of my fellow Floridians also write-in his name, we will send a message that we are fed up with mediocre or even dangerous candidates. We want a real president in the White House.

Dimon has mused about running for political office, but said he is happy to be at JP Morgan Chase for now. He is 10 years younger than the Republican nominee. In four years, he just might be willing to save America, if he sees a ground-swell draft movement forming in his favor.

Lee Swanger,

Coral Gables

Deporting Cubans

I recall the outrage in Miami's Cuban population when our government sent young Elian Gonzalez back to Cuba in 2000 to be with his dad. Today, a large number of Miami's Cuban population support Donald Trump's re-election, despite his promises to deport a million undocumented immigrants. Miami's Cuban population includes 225,000 immigrants who arrived in 2022 alone.

Were my Cuban neighbors wrong about Gonzalez, or are they hundreds of thousands times more wrong now?

Philip K. Stoddard,

South Miami