Once a Trump voter, he has buyer’s remorse

News articles show that Donald Trump now leads President Biden in polling in five key swing states, suggesting that Trump will win the 2024 election. This is dangerous.

Many undecided voters will be influenced by these early polls, with the desire to be on the winning side. I am amazed that the majority of the Republican Party believe he is the best candidate.

Have we not forgotten that Trump is the only president in U.S. history to refuse to acknowledge that he lost, despite all evidence? Have we forgotten that his incendiary rhetoric led to the Capitol riot, resulting in deaths? Do people really support a candidate whose shady business practices led to a finding of long-time fraud in a civil lawsuit? Have we forgotten the verdict that he sexually abused a woman?

Do we not remember that Trump paid settlements where his actions were unsavory, such as the Trump University case? On top of all that, he faces four pending criminal cases.

In 2020, I thought that Trump’s business success qualified him to be a great president. I was sadly mistaken and am remorseful. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Steven Weil, Boynton Beach

Insurance insanity in Florida

News item: State Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota pitched his colleagues to invest in his property insurance company, promising a 165% return over five years.

Why does this not insult every Floridian struggling with the cost of homeowners’ insurance?

What does this tell you about inflated premiums? Residents are forced to switch to private insurers if they are “only” 20% higher than what they are paying with Citizens. What a joke! Wait until renewal time.

In a Sun Sentinel Viewpoint, columnist Scott Maxwell quoted the Insurance Information Institute that the average premium in Florida is now $6,000, an increase of 102% in three years. The Florida insurance commissioner said some companies want rate hikes of 300% to 500%.

Florida’s insurance “reform” so far is little more than a $3 billion handout to the insurance industry with little or no help to homeowners. The Miami Herald reports that 13% of Florida homeowners are “going bare,” with no insurance — double the national average.

To me, it makes sense to expand Citizens so it becomes Medicare for property insurance. Think about large employers: The cost of their medical insurance is reduced by volume of premiums collected. Lawmakers should make this a serious consideration, not cater to a select few looking for a 165% return.

Total transparency and lower rates is better than having homeowners forfeit insurance coverage completely, just to keep up with other rising costs for living in the great state of Florida.

Pete Martino, Margate

Why elections matter

Home and car insurance rates, FPL’s rate hikes, school vouchers, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), Don’t Say Gay, banning books, and transporting immigrants to other states all have one thing in common.

These are actions our state has taken that diminish lives, and aid those who contribute to campaigns, drawing a…