You can help families living with autism thrive. Buy a Florida specialty license plate | Opinion
Autism awareness
April is Autism Awareness Month and Florida motorists can drive awareness and increase critical funding for autism-related services with a specialty autism license plate.
The CDC estimates about one in 36 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder. Annual costs for specialized services are estimated at $60,000 per family.
Last year, the Florida Autism License Plate Program provided nearly $150,000 in grant awards to 19 Florida-based nonprofit organizations, many in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, that provide vital services for those with autism and related disabilities, including early intervention, speech and language therapy, specialized respite care, after-school and summer programs.
When Florida motorists renew their tags, they can empower individuals with autism by purchasing a plate or donating $1 or more to “Autism Services,” and help families living with autism thrive.
Kim Vassar,
chief advancement officer,
Arc Broward,
Fort Lauderdale
Aging workforce
The Herald’s April 14 story, “Grandpa is stocking shelves at Publix: How the rising cost of living has changed Florida,” points out how seniors are returning to work because they cannot live on Social Security. This is a many faceted problem that includes pensions being eliminated, people not planning for their future and inflation.
One thing is certain: We cannot eliminate Social Security. While many members of Congress are pushing for its elimination, it would bring about disastrous results.
Ending Social Security would bring a recession, more robbery and once-prosperous areas turning into slums. Be careful who you elect and what you wish for.
Art Young,
West Kendall
State of disgrace
In his April 10 op-ed, “Floridians have a chance to stand up for democracy,” Sen. Rick Scott railed against rampant socialism, such as the kind promoted in Cuba and perhaps by the Biden administration.
So great is his loathing of socialist institutions that he made a fortune while allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, and denied he knew the company he ran was doing it.
I am profoundly embarrassed to live in a state that willfully elects crooks.
Bob French,
Boca Raton
Mid-East pause
I am disappointed that after Iran’s ineffective air attack of Israel, I hear so many calls for more arms to enable Israel to strike back and at the same time, the expressed concern of many, many countries that the conflict will escalate into a multi-border war that will destabilize the Middle East, with worldwide repercussions.
This is the moment, with so much international concern focused of these events, to press Israel to pause instead of retaliate. To ask the many countries expressing concern to meet and create a guarantee of Israel’s security. And for Israel, with this guarantee in hand, to promise the Palestinians their own country.
This is a move toward peace instead of more conflict.
Glenn Patron,
Miami
Rising prices
Inflation is merely a measure of supply and demand. If demand exceeds supply, inflation figures rise. If we want more and more of everything, then we are doomed to rising inflation, unless supply increases or demand slips.
Demand affects all goals, from rising wages to available commodities to money in the bank. A government that appeases its constituents with success in areas it can control contributes to rising inflation.
What government doesn’t want to make its constituents feel and live better?
The next administration will try to appease more than the last. It’s a self-defeating system. One day, the Fed will devalue the dollar and we will have to accept it as inevitable.
Leonard Hayet,
Weston
DeSantis and Trump
Gov. Ron DeSantis declaring that he’s going to support fundraising efforts for former President Donald Trump highlights once again the hypocrisy of the Republican Party and the constant groveling toward Trump, dignity be damned. It wasn’t that long ago that Trump suggested DeSantis was a pedophile and also attacked his wife.
For a man who has constantly bragged about his toughness (not to mention his “Never back down” campaign slogan), DeSantis sure seems to succumb easily to his fear of Trump.
At press conferences, DeSantis is often surrounded by law enforcement, perhaps to convey the appearance of strength and valor. A more realistic version would be having a bunch of circus clowns standing behind him wearing MAGA hats.
Wilfred Lara,
West Kendall
Poll problems
We see disparate polling percentages that don’t seem to make any sense and wonder why. The problem, perhaps, is that those being polled are never forced to explain their choices, or if they are, results are not presented.
Who is better at the economy, “A” or “B”?
People choose but are not asked for details on their choice. “A” did this, “B” did that. “A” has plans to do this, “B” has plans to do that.
Why are the “A” plans better than “B,” or vice versa?
“A” scores 40% and “B” scores 60%. Without the “why,” the numbers are quite meaningless.
Did the person understand the question? Did the person just like “B” over “A” and has no clue of the reason why?
Pollsters need to dig deeper.
Alfred Sasiadek,
Lauderhill
Senate seat
Abortion will be on the ballot this November and a dangerous new abortion ban will take effect in May. This means the stakes of our upcoming Senate seat election between Sen. Rick Scott and former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell are higher than ever.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused an increasingly conservative wave of anti-abortion policies in 28 states, ranging from six-week bans to restrictions on Mifepristone, both of which Scott is a proud supporter.
Our bodies and our autonomy are on the line. Even if abortion becomes legal in Florida, a Scott re-election and a national abortion ban would not only overrule Florida’s decision, but would warrant even more invasive attacks on reproductive rights.
Mucarsel-Powell not only supports a woman’s right to choose, but champions it. Her endless commitment to ensuring women can choose what is best for them — not men in marbled offices — should encourage many to vote for her.
Emily Danzinger,
Pembroke Pines
Cosmic date
Old, old friends, we sat on the front step and watched our town’s moments of the April 8 eclipse.
Along with our half century of full moons, storms, rainbows, constellations — even snow in 1977 — we cataloged this cosmic show in our scrapbook of memories, side by side.
Then we put our approved, eclipse-watching glasses in the kitchen party cabinet, so we can find them in 2044 when we’re centenarians and the sky is still pulling off fresh surprises over Miami.
Miri and Steve Rosen,
Miami
Death in Ukraine
Former President Donald Trump’s regard for human life is as depraved as that of Hamas. The war in Ukraine drags on and people die. Ukraine desperately needs our help.
Trump’s robots in the U. S. House of Representatives deny military aid to Ukraine because Trump told them to do so.
Trump hates Ukraine’s President Zelensky because Zelensky failed to agree to produce “dirt” on President Biden which would have served Trump’s political purposes.
This is just one example of how Trump loves retribution. Re-electing him will bring on domestic retribution as well, just as he promises.
Richard Masington,
Coral Gables
OJ once more
Just when you thought the man was immortal, “The Juice” had his last squeeze.
Errol German,
Miami
