An Easy Decision

While the legislature is cutting more than $2 billion from the budget that will cause serious harm to the citizens of Florida, the governor shouldn't even be considering making the taxpayers pay for his trip to the inauguration. Crist should come out immediately saying that he'll pay for this privately. He can certainly afford it. We can't.

From the Blogs

Blast Off!: Speaking of Republican corruption ...

From the Blogs

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman) - An Irresponsible Budget

Smashed Frog: Will Crist Fund the Adam Walsh Act with Lawton Chiles' Endowment?

Florida Netroots: More on Fed Aid for Florida’s Budget Woes

FLA Politics (Tally): The Obama Election and Florida 's Political Future

FLA Politics (Tally) - Debbie W-S Trashes Jeb

Pushing Rope: Crist Defends Trip

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): The First of Many Bad Ideas from "Crisatsom"

Pushing Rope: Crist Defends Sanson

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Crist Was For Diversity Before He Was Against It

Interstate4Jamming2: Opie Looking More Like A Candidate For Ag Commissioner

Progress Florida (Jon Bleyer): Crist loves Big Tobacco, hates kids and seniors

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