Important Article About Education

A lot of good stuff here, but the key passage is this one:

Outgoing Miami-Dade School Board member Evelyn Greer, whose candor probably earned her the ''outgoing'' appellation, said by e-mail Friday, ``The paradox of the legislative elections is the belief in the propaganda that education services can improve, teachers can get higher salaries and schools can be built but no one has to pay higher taxes.

''Legislators and teachers union officials tell their supporters the same thing -- if we cut the waste, all demands would be met,'' she said. ``Both groups know that this is not true, but have to espouse it in order to pander to their constituencies and stay in power.

''If the legislators and the union officials told the truth -- that there can be no raises, no quality education and no educational improvement without higher taxes -- they would be voted out of office,'' Greer said.

Education -- like many other public services in Florida -- is in bad shape. There is one reason this is true for most of these programs -- and it isn't government waste, that idea is nonsensical, there's nothing to waste -- it's lack of funding. Our legislators and our citizens are afraid to do the right thing and actually commit resources to our state and our future. They claim that we can't do it because of the economy. This failure to invest in our workforce and our consumer base is exactly the reason why the economy sucks. Sooner or later we'll figure this out. With Crist and the Republicans in charge, I'm guessing it'll be later and things will continue to go poorly in what could be one of the most successful states in the union.

Crist Not A Big Fan of Ethics

Shameful activity here:

A company that ships oil into Iraq for use by American forces there "appears to have engaged in a reprehensible form of war profiteering," according to a letter by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Cal., Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The company, International Oil Trading Limited, is run by Florida-based businessman Harry Sargeant, a top fundraiser for the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain.

And, of course, we know how Crist feels about him:

On Wednesday, Crist said he was grateful for help from Sargeant, whom he has known since they were fraternity brothers at Florida State University.

"He's a great patriot, and I love him for it," Crist said.

Crist and I have different definitions of "great patriot." Mine doesn't include war profiteering.

Empty Chair Charlie's First Priority?

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

While Empty Chair Charlie likes to claim his first responsibility is his job as Governor, a review of his schedule over the past month shows his job is not his first priority.

Today, the Orlando Sentinel quoted Crist saying, "My first and foremost responsibility is to the people of Florida...I'm going to stay focused on Mission 1, which is Florida, and when I have time to help out my friend I'm eager and anxious to do so."

Between September 14 and October 14th, Crist spent only 9 days working in his office at the Capitol or in the Governor's mansion according to his public schedule.

"While Empty Chair Charlie's first responsibly might be to the people of Florida, clearly we are not his first priority. While the problems facing the Sunshine State are mounting, Crist's only response has been to continue his out of touch, out of town ways," said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff. "The Governor rarely shows up to work and has done nothing to jump start Florida's economy, unless you count telling Floridians struggling to pay their mortgages to go to Disney World as an economic plan. Despite the fact that Floridians are suffering under the Republican recession, Empty Chair Charlie keeps jet setting, attending baseball games, and even blowing off the McCain campaign by going to Disney. Floridians are asking when is Crist going to make Florida his priority?"

From the Blogs

Ybor City Stogie: Charlie Crist: When I have time to help, I'll try to do that

Ybor City Stogie: Empty Chair Charlie Holds Feeney Fundraiser

Florida Gets a "D" on Choice Issues

NARAL points out the following facts:

69 percent of Florida counties have no abortion provider.

Florida has unconstitutional and unenforceable criminal bans on abortion.
Details

Florida law subjects women seeking abortions to biased counseling requirements.
Details

Florida allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide women specific reproductive health services, information, or referrals.

Florida restricts low-income women's access to abortion.

Florida law restricts young women's access to abortion services by mandating parental notice.

Florida subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions not applied to other medical professionals.

Governor Charlie Crist (R) is anti-choice.

Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp (R) is anti-choice.

Attorney General Bill McCollum (R) is anti-choice.

The Florida House is anti-choice.

The Florida Senate is mixed-choice.

We can do better than this.

Crist and Greer Should Follow Own Advice on Ethics and Honesty, Cancel Feeney Fundraiser‏

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: October 7, 2008

Crist and Greer Should Follow Own Advice on Ethics and Honesty, Cancel Feeney Fundraiser

As Governor Charlie Crist and RPOF Chairman Jim Greer host a fundraiser today for the FBI's Representative # 3, aka Congressman Tom Feeney, it appears that their words about ethics and honesty don't match up with their deeds.

While defending his decision to host a Feeney fundraiser, Greer said: "People make mistakes. He said he made a mistake, and I think voters like to have someone who's honest." [Orlando Sentinel, 10/5/08]

We think voters like to have someone who's honest as well, which is why voters in Florida's 24^th District are supporting Suzanne Kosmas, a candidate who shares their priorities and doesn't have to apologize for a record of corruption.

Crist also should answer for this hypocritical fundraiser, given that he promised "the most ethical government possible, the most open and transparent government possible," [Pensacola News Journal, 1/07/07] and yet is helping fill the coffers of one of the Most Corrupt Members of Congress.

Since Feeney was named the 6^th Most Vulnerable Incumbent in the country by Roll Call today, Empty Chair Charlie must have decided he could put that promise on hold.

"If Governor Crist and Jim Greer were taking their own advice when it comes to ethics and honesty, there is no way they would be hosting a fundraiser for Tom Feeney, who is plagued by ethical problems and under FBI investigation," said Eric Jotkoff, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party.  "Governor Crist should cancel tonight's fundraiser, since Feeney's unethical behavior and record of deception is exactly what's wrong with politics today."

Get all of the facts about Feeney's corruption scandal at: www.feeneysfullofit.com.

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Crist Ambivalent About Amendment 2

Governor Charlie Crist sounds a bit ambivalent about the Hate Amendment:

“I’ll support it, I’ll vote for it, move on,” the governor said of the Amendment 2 gay-marriage ban in an interview during a trip to tour flood-damaged areas in Central Florida. “It’s not top-tier for me, put it that way.”

When asked if he’ll spend time plugging Amendment 2, Crist said, “I don’t think so. I think I will campaign for candidates much more extensively — Sen. McCain.” The governor also reiterated his position of precluding the Republican Party of Florida from spending money to support the gay-marriage ban.

From the Blogs

FLA Politics (FDP): Empty Chair Charlie Comes-a-Rockin' - Feds Come-a-Knockin'

From the Blogs

Daily Kos: McCain's Shady Bundler Helps Out VP Hopeful Crist

Crist Hates Gay People, Unmarried People, Common Decency

So says his endorsement of the Hate Amendment.

Crazy Jim Greer Quote of the Day

Aren't we currently in a budget crisis? Greer doesn't seem to know about it:

"When it comes time to get out and speak around the state, it's important that we have the ability to travel there and that we accomplish as much as we can in any given day... You will see that the party is much more engaged in traveling the state..."

They've spent more than $1 million in private charter jet flights in the last year. Greer wants you to think that these expenses are necessary, but the Sarasota Herald Tribune found otherwise, discovering that they lodged "high-flying expenses from last year with tens of thousands of dollars in ritzy New York hotels, thousands of dollars in limousine services and thousands of dollars more in regular air service."

This is while they are seeking to cut healthcare for more than 40,000 low-income senior, disabled and seriously ill Floridians. And it flies in the face of the rhetoric the members of Greer's party regularly spout off...

Charlie Crist: "We're asking local governments to tighten their belts, too. We are tightening ours. We can do no less... I feel for our students and I feel for their families... They are paying higher insurance rates. They are paying higher property taxes. They are paying higher gas prices."

Durell Peaden on the healthcare cuts: "If we don't get to print money, we're going to have to do with what we've got."

Charlie Crist: "If a family with two young boys can tighten their belts to live within their means certainly our cities and counties can also."

Alan Hays: "We cannot ask our state and local governments to tighten their belts if we continue to support frivolous spending."

Mike Haridopolos: "Experience also proves that government in Florida does not have a revenue problem -- it has a spending problem."

Apparently, it's the Republicans who have a spending problem and have pretty serious problems with hypocrisy. I wonder if any of them will call in their votes to cut healthcare for poor people while riding in a limo or if Crist will sign the bill flying in his a chartered jet?

Crist Hates Good, Clean Government

Governor Charlie Crist claims to be a champion of good, clean government. How does the reality match up to the rhetoric? Not very well:

He went behind closed doors to negotiate a Vegas-style casino deal with the Seminole Tribe, and then, going back on his word, refused to present it to the Legislature for public debate. For this double-dealing, Crist has been sued in court. His odds aren’t good: Five other governors tried this ploy; all five lost.

...

Crist gambles with the public’s trust in other ways. Since his 2006 campaign was bankrolled by every facet of Florida’s development industry, the governor has made no secret of his disdain for grassroots attempts at curbing out-of-control growth.

...

In the days following Feb. 1, when the Secretary of State’s office announced the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment wouldn’t make the ballot this year, Crist’s office received several complaints. Correspondence obtained by this newspaper alleged serious procedural glitches at local and state levels. Among them:

• Petitions were denied equal treatment. Some were counted as late as Feb. 1; others, submitted as early as Jan. 2, were not counted.

• Signatures of “inactive” or “purged” voters were tossed, in violation of Division of Elections rules.

• For seven months, the state did not divulge problems it was having with its petition-tallying database, and stopped posting online updates in January. (Ironically, Crist brags about making state Web sites “more accessible to the citizen’s of Florida.”)

• Administrative orders issued without notice or public hearing created chaos. On Dec. 31, Sarah Jane Bradshaw, state assistant division of elections director, informed county officials, “Today is the deadline for petitioning groups to submit petitions to you.” Yet the law set Feb. 1 as the deadline.

And those are the words of a conservative columnist. I wonder what unbiased critics might say...

Crazy Republican Quote of the Day

"I'm even thinking about buying a house. I've never done that. The thing that's kind of cool is you can get some better deals!" -- Empty Chair Charlie Crist explaining why he's considering a foray into Florida's disastrous housing market.

It's great that our governor can make jokes about a serious situation that is negatively affecting many of our citizens. Florida has the second highest foreclosure rate in the United States and Crist is making jokes about how he can profit off of the pain and suffering of a family who lost their home. Shame, shame, shame.

Crist Hates America, Florida, Loves Eternal War

Crist has endorsed John McCain, the man who opposes a national cat fund and said that he had no problem staying in Iraq for 100 years. Thanks, Charlie, for advocating a president who, while not as bad as the other Republicans, would be horrible for America (and Florida).

Crist Hates America, Florida, Loves Eternal War

Crist has endorsed John McCain, the man who opposes a national cat fund and said that he had no problem staying in Iraq for 100 years. Thanks, Charlie, for advocating a president who, while not as bad as the other Republicans, would be horrible for America (and Florida).

Good Crist

I hope he follows through on this one:

While admitting he faces "some challenges" with the budget this year, Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday he plans to call for an increase in state funding for restoring the Everglades.

Crist's Budget Is Mixed News, Not Surprisingly

A quick look at the proposals:

Good: "taking money from government endowment set aside for health care"

Bad: "possible new Lottery games"

Bad: "an infusion of money from new Indian casinos"

Good (except for the "small" part): "He also wants to give state workers a small raise

Good (except he's probably only doing it because he has to): "spend more on Medicaid (as required by a federal law change)"

Unsure (not enough detail): "promote economic development ($400-million more, according to a preliminary estimate)"

Good: "More than a third of the new money in Crist's budget, about $800-million, would be for Florida public schools, an amount sufficient to give teachers a raise in a time of flat student enrollment."

Bad: "he's interested in tapping the Lawton Chiles endowment, a health care fund, by as much as $400-million as one way to balance the budget"

Good: cutting "tuition assistance to students attending private schools"

Bad: cutting funding for "Alzheimer's care"

Good: "increasing substance abuse treatment for inmates by $28-million next year"

Crist Hates Reality, Science, Facts

And Crist had done so good with the global warming issue, then he goes crazy and says this about Evolution:

I think the way it’s been handled historically in Florida is probably appropriate. It’s been introduced and discussed in terms of being a theory. I don’t know if there’s a need for a change in that. But I’ll leave the decision to the board.

If by "theory," Crist means "something that has been scientifically confirmed," then he's using the right word here. Otherwise, he's pandering to the stupidest and greediest people on the right.

Bad Crist

Seriously, this is Crist's plan:

Crist clearly is hoping that the prospect of the state drawing a much-needed cash infusion from baccarat, black jack and other games the deal would okay at tribal casinos will eventually wear down opposition. House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, has sued Crist saying he overstepped his authority in approving the compact without seeking approval from the Legislature, with arguments before the Florida Supreme Court set for Jan. 30.

Gambling is going to save us? Republicans really are bad at economics, aren't they?

Good Crist

It's great to know that our governor is willing to come down hard on goat rapists/murderers.

Good Rundown on Charlie Crist, Year One

While it's a little more positive than it probably should be, here's a good recap of Crist's first year in office:

His first-year successes included a crackdown on probation violators, a streamlined system for felons to regain civil rights and a switch from touch screen voting to paper ballots. He launched a search for new energy sources to combat global warming and promoted quicker access to government records.

...

Crist's record at the end of his first year, however, often doesn't match his soaring rhetoric. His "drop like a rock" promise on taxes falling has failed to live up to reality, and he blames "greedy" insurance companies for failing to pass cost savings onto consumers. He enters 2008 with other problems looming, from a stagnant economy that will force more budget cuts to a showdown with the Legislature over casino gambling on Indian lands.

...

Crist also has made enemies in his party's conservative wing, most notably House Speaker Marco Rubio, who has higher political ambitions. Crist's decision to sign a progambling pact with the Seminole Indian tribe was followed by a further retreat on a 2008 antigay marriage petition drive, which he signed as a candidate but now says does not belong in the Florida Constitution.