Don’t give Tallahassee more control

Amendment 3, scheduled for the November ballot, has too many red flags (Editorial: “Separating truth from fiction in property-tax amendment,” Aug. 23). Basically, it transfers power from local governments to Tallahassee. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. According to the state, the average property owner would save $3,000. In actuality, that person would ;l\\\use up much of his/her savings with increased fees, local taxes and reduced services.

I don’t mind paying property taxes because I know a police car or fire engine can be at my address in under 10 minutes. I can go to excellent parks and recreation areas for free, can pick up the phone and call my council or commissioner and speak to someone that can usually do something about a problem on a local level. Vote for Amendment 3 and folks, you may lose all of that.

— Jon Lee, Winter Springs

Is Iran war in national interest?

Four-star Gen. Colin Powell, in his autobiography, “My American Journey,” recalls attending an address by his then-boss, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, on the tests Weinberger deemed essential when considering the use of U.S. forces abroad, a list that came to be known as the Weinberger-Powell Doctrine:

“Commit only if our or our allies’ vital interests are at stake… If we commit, do so with all the resources necessary to win… Go in only with clear political and military objectives… Be ready to change the commitment if the objectives change, since wars rarely stand still… Only take on commitments that can gain the support of the American people and the Congress… Commit U.S. forces only as a last resort.”

Powell continues, “In short, is the national interest at stake? If the answer is yes, go in, and go in to win. Otherwise, stay out.”

While the world is probably safer if Iran can be prevented from developing nuclear weapons — which has not been accomplished — I can’t see how any one of these tests has been met by the Trump Administration in launching and continuing the war against Iran.

— Dorsey Henderson, Mount Dora

Trump was best option in 2024

A letter regarding President Trump entitled “Can’t be gone soon enough” (Aug. 21) wonders why people knew who he was — yet still reelected him.

Voters in 2024 had three choices: Trump, Kamala Harris or staying home. Harris, the Democratic nominee, declared on TV that she would do nothing different than was done during Joe Biden’s term. Biden allowed millions of undocumented people to cross into our country, fill our facilities, schools and hospitals at taxpayer expense.

In his only televised debate against Trump in 2024, Biden declared “we finally beat Medicare.” In my view, Harris rarely stated any principle or policy objectives clearly. Did she, perhaps, plan to let millions more into the country?

The letter to the editor concludes with a hope that the next president is better. I agree. However, the Democratic Party is in such disarray that I see no hope for a party which has spent the last four years obsessed with Trump. It is time to accept the fact that a small cadre of incompetent Democratic leaders, not Donald Trump, got Trump elected — twice.

— Robert Anderson, Winter Park

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