Presidents Day has passed again with not much more recognition than special sales at the malls of America. What an extra 20 percent off the latest fashions has to do with how important our history is to our present condition and how critical the form and structure of our government is to the well-being of all of us, Ill never know.

As in our nations capital, there has been much talk about the value of higher education degrees here in Florida.In order to attract and grow business, there must be a well-trained work force and an ever-emerging intelligent populace.

Our frailties as a nation come in large part due to our penchant to seek to lop off the beauty of the tallest flower in the garden, often done by plucking one petal at a time.

Gov. Rick Scotts 2012 Job Creation and Economic Growth agenda includes an encouraging focus on Floridas STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

Sometimes to know where you are, and maybe where you might be headed, it is good to look back at where you have been.

Recent headlines in Florida claim our state is searching for a rock star to fill the role of commissioner of education. That headline does little to stimulate interest and in fact is likely to do more harm than good.

This week in Florida we witnessed the inauguration of our 45th governor, Rick Scott, a candidate unlike any who came before him in his approach to both the election and to governing.With his election also comes a belief that he will usher in a new era of leadership in the Sunshine State.

As we look toward January when our states newly elected governor and all-new Cabinet members take office, we have high hopes that these leaders will help move Florida out of the current economic conditions.

One of the few really fun things to do when observing the American political game of elections is to speculate on a host of what-ifs. The Florida 2010 election offers more possibilities for this game than most elections do. The root cause of so many variant options to what might have been start at the feet of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.