After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton
You probably can't imagine how much fun I've had at Sunshine State News over the last 10 years. I don't think anybody could.
November 1, 2019 - 6:00am
Politics
Columns
"When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work, and your laws no longer protect you against them, but protect them against you ... you may know that your society is doomed." Ayn Rand
Throughout the very long presidential election cycle, two trends remained consistent. The media lauded Obama no matter how horrendous his record, and they savaged Obama's Republican contenders as ridiculous pretenders.
"I don't know," a very wise and skeptical Washington political analyst confided to me on Sunday as I limned the Romney victory I foresee. "I'd like to believe it," she said, "but I have to overlook a lot. If you're right, then a whole lotta state polls have to be wrong."
PRESIDENT: The leading figure in a small group of men of whom -- and of whom only -- it is positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for president. -- Ambrose Bierce The Devil's Dictionary (1906)
Sometime after Tuesday's election, we will learn who won the presidency for the next four years and just what led to the result. But in the meantime, here are some general issues related to the 2012 presidential cycle that deserve consideration.
With only a few days until the election, Florida voters have to make a decision on which candidate can protect vital program budgets.
Election 2012 has had few surprises. So it's somewhat surprising that heading into the final weekend of the election season, we are unable to confidently project who is likely to win the White House.
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Jerry, Jerry!
It seems the TV show host is not only a fan of putting bizarre personal drama on television but of gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, as well.
According to contribution reports for the political committee Charlie Crist For Florida, Jerry Springer donated $10,000 to the committee on Dec. 31. Springer added his name to a handful of donors pledging financial support to Crist, many of whom are attorneys or law firms.
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Most Americans are on board with a ban on assault weapons, according to a new poll released Thursday by Rasmussen Reports.
The survey found 59 percent of likely U.S. voters think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons, while 33 percent disagree. A smaller amount -- 18 percent -- said they favor a complete ban on handguns in the United States.
Forty-six percent of likely U.S. voters favor stricter gun control, but just as many (47 percent) say the United States does not need tougher anti-gun laws.
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On Tuesday, the U.S. District Court issued a ruling that drug screening of welfare recipients was unconstitutional.
The ruling comes as a loss to Gov. Rick Scott, who promised to enact drug tests during his 2010 campaign for governor. In 2011, Scott signed a law to drug test recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, but the court issued a preliminary injunction a few months after.
By Nancy Smith
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Monday released the top nine consumer complaints filed during 2013.
Were here to help consumers, said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. Floridians can call our 1-800-HELP-FLA consumer hotline to file a complaint, as well as find information about registered businesses and professionals and learn how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.
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U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., has finished his stay in rehab and is back on social media again, this time posting yet another apology on his Facebook page.
Radel was arrested in October for misdemeanor cocaine possession, a charge to which he later pled guilty. He was sentenced to a year of probation and opted to attend rehab, claiming he was battling alcoholism. Instead of resigning from his position, the Fort Myers congressman said he would opt for a leave of absence from Congress.
By Kevin Derby
On Monday, Florida TaxWatch released a report which finds re-entry programs reduce the prison population and expenses for taxpayers in the Sunshine State. In the report, Florida TaxWatch urged the state Department of Corrections (DOC) to promote substance abuse, education, faith-based and character-based programs and to help released inmates prepare to re-enter the job market.
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He's making a list and checking it twice -- and it looks like Alex Sink made the naughty list this year.
In its latest mailer, the Republican Party of Florida pointed to several reasons why Sink would be getting a lump of coal for Christmas this year. Support from Barack Obama and her own support for his signature health-care plan were two of the reasons.Supporting higher taxes and higher insurance premiums were the others.
The ultimate verdict from the RPOF? A lump of coal for Sink.
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The brother-in-law of U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., who took a leave of absence from Congress after pleading guilty to cocaine possession, also has a history of cocaine possession, according to Lee County court records.
By Kevin Derby
U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., announced on Friday that his proposal allowing disabled Americans to have tax-free savings accounts has the backing of strong majorities in Congress, with 60 senators and 323 congressmen co-sponsoring it including every single member of Floridas delegation. Crenshaw urged both chambers to pass his Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act.
By Kevin Derby
Kevin Cate and his team over at Cate Communications released a Web video on Friday for the holidays -- featuring a few familiar faces from Florida politics tackling a major security threat. Best of all, every view of the video raises $1 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network up to $1,000.
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