When I moved here , from Pennsylvania, I was greatly impressed by the wonderful beaches and many forms of family recreation that were available. And it was FREE. Could I ask for more?

Since then, there have been many changes; all for the worse. Mostly by our wonderful Mayor and Council trying to get more of our money . What used to be a great location for a day at the beach- Namely PasaGrille- was put off limits by the installation of Parking meters. It was bad enough when you had to go put money in the meter every couple hours, but then they replaced them with the stations where you not only had to put the money in, but had to walk half a block to do so.

Using our boat to go to the many islands in the Gulf and bay, was nice; then suddenly we could not go there without the Police telling us , "No glass, No beer, no dogs etc.etc. It's the environment.

The beaches along the causeways were next to be put off limits; including the Hot Dog Girls. Last I heard Fort DeSota Beach was going to cost us now. Road tolls to get there increased. I wonder if they will soon put up a barrier and have an entrance fee; for a Beach which is financed through the County. Again we will be paying through taxes and fees.

I could go into the fishing piers but that would take another letter.

As I have said before, in a previous letter, "Public Transportation will always have to be subsidized, in one form or another."

We have been subsidizing Rail for years, yet local authorities still say "Light rail is necessary". If built it will cost the taxpayer three ways. To construct, in fares and in subsidies (since few will use it)

The same thing is now happening with our Bus system. The PSTA was saying that "Not enough people are using it; we will have to raise fares". Then came the gas crunch. People started using it more. An increase of about 16% I think. Now the PSTA says "That is not enough. We will have to raise fares, and cut routes, due to the high cost of fuel and low rider ship."

Strange; I thought gas was going DOWN. And rider ship is UP. But even with that they may cut routes and refuse to use any of their "Slush fund". Seems they just want MORE of our hard earned dollars. And if we are stupid enough to give it to them; (We being the powers that be) we deserve what we get--or don't get.

In 1973 we had an oil problem. We were told that, even if we drilled, it would take 10 years to have any effect on gas prices. So we did not drill. Now we are being told the same thing. The Congress is resisting drilling, for Political reasons, and we will continue to have the problem, with the Middle East holding oil over our heads. When will people get angry enough to "Throw the Rascals out?"

Cutting the Federal gas tax for a few weeks will allow me to get from her to Tampa and back on the savings. Taking oil from the Strategic Reserves will be a temporary fix, cause we will have to re-fill it again later.

I keep hearing about "Alternate Sources of Energy". Unfortunately my car can not run on Wind, Solar, or Natural gas. Nuclear will not help me either, nor will Hydrogen. If we have to count on any of them it will be more than 10 years to have a new type of car, and thousands of Stations where I can "Re-fill". Electric cars sound good, but their limited range is a problem. If I want to drive to Pennsylvania, I would have to stop over night 5 or 6 times so I could re-charge my batteries. Even trying to do it at my condo would be a BIG time problem.

Now is the time to tell your Democratic Congress to get it done. They, not the President, have to pass the Bill to DRILL

Just recently a member of a Commission , who was referring to paperwork, I believe, said that "Things are disappearing as if they are in a Black Hole". A Black member got quite upset because of the term Black Hole. He claimed it was a racist remark. Not too long ago, and even now, that same man wanted to be called Black. Since when did that word become offensive? Do we have to change our language because some people desire to take offense at every little thing? What about Black Market? Black Olives? Maybe Black Heads? We have many books with the word Black in them. Black Beauty. Little Black Sambo. OOPS; I forgot. They got rid of Black Sambo years ago. Now it is Little GRAY Sambo.

If someone uses the word, or any of it's derivatives, without the Black community's approval, you are a RACIST.

If you are for McCain and against Obama, you are a racist.

Where does it end? Yet THEY can have a Black Miss America, A Black Caucus, A Black Journalists Assn. Can you imagine what would happen if the White population had a White Caucus, or a White Miss America etc.?

Somehow our Language has been HIJACKED. One part of the population can say anything, including that infamous N word. but the rest of the population--the majority---has to watch what they say, or they will be sued, fired or castigated, and must Apologize many times for such an "Offense". I wonder what the founders of our Country would have to say about this?

It is Dejavu all over again. In 1973 we had a gas problem. No gas, or high prices. We knew we should drill for, and process more, oil. But we did not. Now we have the same problem, but it is much worse. We have to compete for the World's oil and SPECULATORS are driving up the price. So, our Congress, in it's wisdom decided to present a Bill to regulate them. BUT now they are refusing to vote on it, or pass it. So the speculators win, and WE lose.

Now, on to the Senate. They have a Bill to allow drilling offshore and in Anwar. This is a Bill that has the backing of the majority of the people in this country, BUT the Senate, in it's LACKING of wisdom, refuses to vote on, or pass the Bill. Consequently we, the public, are being forced into the same situation as in 1973. NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. Ten years from now, someone in a position of "Authority" will say, We have a big Oil problem, and there is no point in saying that we can drill our way out of it, cause it would take TEN years"

SOUND FAMILIAR?