Irreverent View» Chris Ingram’s “Irreverent View”

Scott/McCollum…a very irreverent view

cingram — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:11:23 +0000

A party divided will not stand. Is a Scott/McCollum ticket the answer?

(Is Williams’ idea absurd? Stranger things have happened…)

By Gregory M. Williams

The time was 1980 and our nation was stuck in economic malaise; foreclosures were taking place, unemployment was on the rise; there was uncertainty in the stock market, and we were facing a gloomy future and a new term was introduced into the lexicon: the Misery Index. The Democrats, who were in charge of the Congress and White House at that time were pursuing an economic agenda of higher taxes, deficit spending, and more government in an attempt to pull our nation out of an economic tailspin.

The Democrats had just re-nominated Jimmy Carter as their standard bearer and former Congressman John Anderson was running as an Independent. The Republicans, who had just completed an expensive and divisive primary of their own, chose California Governor Ronald Reagan, “the political outsider” over former Texas Congressman and U.S. Ambassador to China, George H.W. Bush, the “Republican insider” to be their nominee in the 1980 elections.

Fast forward to today. Florida has one of the highest unemployment and home foreclosure rates in the country; coupled with and economy built on tourism that is suffering as a result of the ailing national economy and the recent BP oil spill. Floridians are justifiably concerned about their economic futures and they want change.

The Democrats, who seem deaf to the economic concerns of the electorate, have nominated political activist and businesswoman Alex Sink who also happens to be the wife of Bill McBride, a former Democratic gubernatorial nominee who lost to Jeb Bush in 2002. Sink is supported by the same usual big government and liberal constituencies that supported her husband in his failed quest for the governorship. Sink, like her husband will no doubt support the same tax and spend agenda for Florida that the Obama-Pelosi-Reid regime is currently pursuing on a national level to cure our current economic and societal ills. Sink recently chose former state senator Rod Smith – the runner-up candidate to her husband in 2002 –to be her running mate. While it may have taken years to do so, the Democrats have chosen the path of unification in their attempt to win back the governorship for the first time since 1994. Republicans need to do the same.

In a divisive and the most expensive gubernatorial primary in Florida history, the Republicans chose Rick Scott, an accomplished businessman and “political outsider” over former Congressman and current Attorney General Bill McCollum, the “establishment’s candidate” to lead our party in the fall elections. Make no mistake, the only way the Sink-Smith ticket wins this November, is if the Republican Party remains divided.

As Mr. Scott’s choice for a running mate will signal what type of governor he will be. That is why it is important that he and his advisors keep in mind the time tested words of President Abraham Lincoln who astutely observed from the Scripture, “A house divided against itself will not stand;” and a divided Republican constituency in our state cannot achieve a general election victory for Governor in 2010 if our party remains divided.

Lincoln was not only a great President but he was also a very smart politician. He knew in order to be successful it was important he keep his political rivals close to him and appointed many of them to be key members of his administration.

Just as Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush were able to put aside their personal and political differences, they were able to form a formidable political ticket, unify our party, and win the 1980 presidential election in a landslide; in the process they formed one of the greatest administrations in our nation’s history. I believe Mr. Scott needs to follow the example of Lincoln and Reagan and choose Bill McCollum to be his running mate for the upcoming general election. Conversely, Mr. McCollum needs to put aside any personal grievances he and his supports have, unify our party, and keep the leadership of Florida out of the hands of tax and spend liberals.

A Scott-McCollum ticket will be very formidable and almost impossible to beat. Scott not only brings personal wealth but a businessman’s approach and a fresh face to state government. By choosing McCollum as his running mate, Scott will unify our party, bring McCollum’s vast public service experience at the state and federal level and be able to use McCollum’s political statewide organization all of which will be necessary if we are to be successful in defeating the Democrats this November. Moreover, should Scott be successful in becoming our next Governor, with or without McCollum as his Lt. Governor, he will need to work with the Republican-led legislature, many of whom supported McCollum in the primary, in order to successfully enact his legislative agenda and get Floridians back to work.

Gregory Williams was a Senior Policy Advisor under President George W. Bush at the U.S. Department of Energy where he also served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and had extensive experience working with the nation’s Governors and State Legislators on energy issues. He has also worked on Capital Hill in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1986 where he majored in Public Relations and Communications. E-mail him at GMWilliams@myway.com.

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Scott may not be a Saint, but Sink is no Angel

cingram — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:17:37 +0000

Once again, voters will get to pick from the lesser of two evils. Which one is it?

By Scott Factor

The 2010 primary races are over in Florida, and the Republican primary nominee for Governor is Rick Scott. The race wasn’t even close, with Scott winning in 53 of 67 counties. A win this big for a virtual political outsider should send a strong message to those who control the Republican Party of Florida. Unfortunately, that message isn’t resonating with quite a few people.

For the record, I am not a Scott supporter. I have issues with a guy who wants a job so bad that he’s willing to spend $50 plus million on his own campaign for a job that pays a low six figure salary, a salary he has reportedly vowed not to accept should he win. It all just doesn’t make sense, and just reeks of the escapades of an egotist.

However, I believe that for any party to survive, it cannot make a habit of eating its own members. This view is shared by Republican Party leaders, who after showing strong support for McCollum, have since come out and issued strong statements supporting Scott. These leaders recognize the importance of unity within the party.

Although registered as a Republican, I consider myself an independent thinker and voter. The Republican Party of Florida has done much to anger me and a lot of other voters in the past few years, so I find it difficult to support the G.O.P. sometimes. I frequently must reexamine my core beliefs and talk myself into voting for the lesser of two evils – that lesser often being Republican.

In the case of Scott vs. Sink, I find that lesser to be Rick Scott. Unfortunately, anger is clouding the judgment of some very influential leaders, and there are rumblings of a mutiny in the Florida Republican Party as it relates to the governor’s race. There are many McCollum supporters who are angry enough to already be making noises about supporting the Democrat’s nominee, Alex Sink. To those who are thinking this, please stop and use some reason and logic for a moment.

While it’s true that Rick Scott was involved in the largest Medicare fraud case in history, to his credit he never denied his involvement and was never criminally charged. Since he has never been politically connected, he would have been one big fish for the United States Attorney to cook, clean, and fry without hesitation. However, he was never charged because there was no evidence of his direct involvement in any crime.

Alex Sink was never charged with a crime, either. However, that doesn’t make her actions morally superior to Rick Scott. If you’re wondering what I am talking about, follow along closely here.

Remember Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis? He was forced to resign due to some “oversights” involved with taking over Merrill Lynch, almost causing the bank to fail? You know, asking for government bailouts on one hand while holding the other out for large bonuses? Guess who he mentored? Alex Sink, when she was President of the Florida division of Bank of America. She learned well.

She learned how to pad her pockets on the backs of hard working Floridians. When she was in charge, Bank of America crafted a merger with what was then Barnett Bank. Her first move? Lay-off (fire) 6,000 people (Orlando Sentinel, 01/01/98). Why on earth would she do that, you ask? Well, when you do a lay-off, it causes the short term profits to rise and hence a rise in stock price.

It just so happens that Alex Sink owned stock and stock options…lots of them. According to the Associated Press (2002), Alex Sink earned more than $2.8 million in stock options and compensation in 2001, shortly after the lay-offs. That was a bit lower than the $3.4 plus million she made in year 2000.

That Alex Sink, she’s something else…at least, that’s what Ken Lewis said of her, shortly before he was indicted in New York. Said Lewis, “She’s bright. She’s a good communicator. She’s a winner. She’s driven to do all she can to succeed.” (Orlando Sentinel, 02/05/10) Including the firing of 6,000 people?

Rick Scott’s company over-billed Medicare. Medicare billing is so complicated, that many people have made entire careers out of manipulating the billing system for large companies and small, earning the respect of their peers for the profits they reap. When the government decided to make an example of someone, they went for the biggest fish. That fish was HCA, the company Rick Scott founded.

However, Alex Sink fired people. Firing people is so difficult, some people have made a career out of it, as demonstrated in the George Clooney movie “Up In The Air.” Clooney played the part of a corporate downsizer, a hired gun if you will. His job was to fire people, one at a time. Alex Sink fired 6,000 at one time, and never blinked. No hired gun was necessary. After all, her stock options were at stake.

Is that who you really want as your governor?

A Floridian, Scott Factor is a graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. and earned his M.B.A. at St. Leo University. He writes conservative rants focusing on the national political landscape. E-mail him at: scott.factor@yahoo.com.

The Water Cooler: Sam’s pal Kevin White; 11th Dist. love fest; mending fences X2

cingram — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:48:18 +0000

The Water Cooler is a snapshot view of some of the things people are talking about in politics

By Chris Ingram

Sam Rashid: the gift that keeps on giving (in more ways than one)

I felt a little sadness last night now that the Primary Election is over and Sam Rashid’s Hillsborough County Commission candidate Josh Burgin lost to Mark Sharpe. I mean, what am I going to do for columns? I feel like a late night comic mourning the loss of Dan Quayle being in office.

But Sam doesn’t disappoint. He is the gift that keeps on giving.

And not just to people who write political columns.

To Kevin White too!

Yeah, Kevin White the disgraced liberal Democrat who can’t keep his noodle in his pants. Sam Rashid likes him too. Not as much as he liked Josh Burgin mind you — Sam only gave White a grand, versus like thirty Gs to Josh. But boy, when I saw this contribution I thought to myself (plant tongue in cheek here), “That dear old Sam. He’s such a consistent conservative, always looking out for what’s best for me and my fellow Hillsborough County citizens, and conservative Republicans. I know when he gave a thousand bucks to Kevin White it was probably filled with fatherly encouragement from Sam about how White should get his life in order and live and work and represent fellow conservatives in a manner any God-fearing, blue-blooded, Reagan-loving, train-loathing, anti-tax, Red Bull drinkin’, conservative like Sam would want in the form of representation from the dumbest, most liberal, and by far most embarrassing member of the county commission.”

Then my phone rang and I awoke from this daydream. Reality reminded me Sam Rashid is not some altruistic, conservative ideologue with core beliefs. No, Sam Rashid is out for Sam Rashid and being a king-making, puppeteer for whatever self-interest, ego-gratifying reasons this little man from Brandon needs to feel important.

It is what it is. And like everything in politics, if you’re patient and you follow the money, the story tells itself.

See Sam’s contributions to White for yourself by clicking here to view White’s finance report as shown by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office. Rashid and his company Holtec are both listed on the report. Note both contributions were made just days ago — long after all of White’s antics were exposed. There’s no “I didn’t realize he was a dirtbag” excuse here for Sam.

11th District GOP candidates sing “Kumbaya”

Tony Buntyn, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for the 11th Congressional District e-mailed me this afternoon to tell me he and fellow losing candidate Eddie Adams met with Mike Prendergast to show candidate unity for the man who won the G.O.P. nomination to face Kathy Castor in November. The fourth candidate in the race Tommy Castellano was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior committment. Others suggested they believe he is right on board the “unity” team but I was not able to confirm this.

It’s nice to see this type of spirited cooperation from the defeated candidates to help the victor. It is not something you see in politics every day. Reason is, all four of these guys ran totally issues based campaigns. No negative mail. Not even a nasty whisper campaign as far as I can tell. That makes making nice-nice a lot easier after the votes are counted.

When some winning candidate like Dana Young or Jim Norman shamelessly engage in calling their conservative opponents a liberal during the race, you can understand why their defeated opponents don’t want to go out and give them a big hug the day after losing the election. Or in the case of Sandy Murman challenging her opponent’s “leadership” — when said opponent was a Marine Corp officer who lead soldiers in Iraq while she was organizing car washes for charities – making nice-nice is not to be immediately expected.

Shame on those who engage in this gutter politics, and congratulations to the 11th District G.O.P. candidates for running clean campaigns!

Roush Rushes to Rick

Hillsborough County G.O.P. Chair Deborah Cox-Roush told me this afternoon she is “200 percent behind Rick Scott.” DCR (as Ms. Roush is fondly referred to by local party activists) gets it. Let’s hope 66 other county party chairs do too and that they use their influence to rally the grassroots behind Rick Scott. The alternative is a a big government, pro-union, liberal who probably wants to tax you out of house and home – of course she won’t tell you that until after she’s elected. Heck, she’s probably even pals with Sam Rashid.

Along similar lines, I spoke to former RNC National Finance Chair Al Hoffman on Tuesday and asked him a hypothetical question about “what if Rick Scott wins the Primary?” Hoffman who was a McCollum supporter said, “I’ll support him and the grassroots better vote for him too – he’s still better than any Democrat.”

Mr. Scott, you ought to give Al Hoffman a call. He can help you unify this party…

David’s redemption

David Campo who earlier this week proclaimed himself to be one of the top three most important political puppeteers in Hillsborough County (my words, not his) e-mailed me and apologized for his actions/proclomations the other day. Apology accepted. It showed some class owning up to the mistake. Lord knows we all make ‘em.

Chris Ingram is the president and founder of 411 Communications a corporate and political communications firm, and publisher of www.IrreverentView.com. Ingram is a frequent pundit on Fox News and CNN, and has written opinion columns for the Washington Times, UPI, Front Page Florida, and National Review online. E-mail him at: Chris@IrreverentView.com.

Bill McCollum picks up his marbles and heads home

cingram — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:04:37 +0000

Losing stinks. But being a sore loser shows a lack of class.

By Chris Ingram

In his loss last night Bill McCollum showed why he is a three-time loser in statewide elections. He doesn’t know Florida, he’s out of touch, and as he showed last night, he is a sore loser.

Don’t get me wrong, losing stinks, but McCollum who is generally regarded as a good man, and a likeable guy demonstrated a lack of class in refusing to acknowledge opponent Rick Scott won the race fair and square. While McCollum may disdain Scott’s millions, Scott played by the rules.

McCollum refused to concede his defeat until well after midnight long after the Associated Press had called the race for Scott, and did so in the form of a press release filled with negativity and anger.

This of course was preceded by McCollum’s speech in which he refused to concede, but didn’t fail to mention every establishment career politician in the state who supported him.

Memo to Bill: establishment career politicians are the reason you lost. And because you’re one of them.

Rick Scott has his work cut out for him in healing the divisions within the GOP. Be a big man Rick and offer these babies an olive branch. They’ve already picked up their marbles and are ready to go home. Bring ‘em back to the game or your chances in November are not good.

A jerk Sam Rashid would be proud of

cingram — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:26:26 +0000

David Campo demonstrates what’s wrong with politics in America: his inflated sense of self-importance.

By Chris Ingram

After a morning of swimming in the pool with my three girls followed by lunch sans mom, I put my girls down for a nap and went and checked my e-mail.

I had an email from one David Campo which read like this:

We should talk. You’re off the reservation. I know you’re well intentioned, but you need to focus on the big picture.

I’d be happy to buy you lunch this week. Let me know if you’re available.

Best -
David Campo
Save Jobs, Vote No on Amendment 4

I e-mailed him back the following:

David,

I’m always more than happy and willing to talk with anyone that has “issues” with me but honestly, you need to try again. I mean come on, you start out your invitation by telling me I’m “off the reservation” and need to focus on the big picture. Big picture for what? Amendment 4, or something else?

Please enlighten me as to whose reservation I am off? Yours? The GOP’s? If you knew anything about me other than how well intentioned I am you would know I’m not on any reservation.

To which Mr. Campo replied:

There are about 3 of us who control Hillsborough County politics. You aren’t one of them.

That being said, you shouldn’t confuse the stupid ellectorate with your ability to influence them.

I am class of ’86 from Brandon, with Paul Phillips.

The reservation your off of is the GOP.

Sometimes its better to accept the lesser of two evils, and while you live in a world that’s idealistic, its not the real world.

If you won’t eat lunch with me, that’s your loss. This is the last time I will humor you.

Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in Hillsborough just long enough to know which side of the Bay the sun sets on, and where to find a good Cuban sandwich, and I know names like Al Austin, Ralph Hughes, Don Phillips, and yes, even Sam Rashid among those who wield or think they wield significant power in Hillsborough. While I’ve heard of David Campo, I had to phone a friend to find out who this guy is.

In addition to a real horses ass with a huge ego, it should come as no surprise he’s a developer. And despite the fact that his level of importance, (not to mention ego, and general “jackassadness”) is far superior than mine, remember, he solicited me to go to lunch not once, but twice. Not the other way around.

Folks, I point this trivial little exchange out for a simple reason. Despite just being a real dipstick with a super sense of self-importantce, people like David Campo with their money and the influence it wields are ruining our nation, our state, and yes, our local community.

Wanna know what stinks in politics? Just follow the money and the people it comes from and goes to. Or sniff around for people like David Campo. You won’t find him at the zoo, but the smell he emits is the same as the stuff dropped by all the animals there.

Irreverent View exclusive: Ethics complaint filed against Jim Norman

cingram — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:18:07 +0000

Complainant alleges money for lake house came from Ralph Hughes

By Chris Ingram

Tampa attorney and local Republican Paul Phillips has filed a wide-ranging ethics complaint against eighteen-year incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman who is currently seeking a seat in the Florida Senate. Norman is term limited from seeking the county commission job again. He faces State Representative Kevin Ambler in the G.O.P. Primary on Tuesday.

Phillips’ complaint which was sent to the State Ethics Commission yesterday alleges Norman has failed to accurately reveal financial information on state-mandated candidate financial disclosure forms. It claims Norman has withheld information about assets he owns including two boats moored at an Arkansas lake house that were part of the purchase of said house by Norman’s wife. Norman claims the lake house purchase was legit and was made by his wife independently from him and that he was only put on the boat registrations for “liability” reasons. However, the Normans have refused to disclose where the money came from other than to say from “investors.” Arkansas law conveniently does not require disclosure of such “investors.”

Tastes great or less filling? It doesn't matter to Jim Norman.

According to Phillips’ complaint, Mrs. Norman has no obvious known source of income which would allow for the purchase of a $435,000 lake front home. Phillips’ complaint claims deceased Hillsborough County political puppeteer Ralph Hughes fronted the money and that it constitutes either an unreported loan or unreported income. The Normans have refused to release their income tax returns to clear the answer to that question.

Phillips’ lengthy ethics complaint, (Click here to view: Norman Ethics Complaint (2)) notes that the home was sold to the Normans by Ed Roleson, Jr. a now deceased former Miller Beer Co. distributor. The real estate transaction was conducted around the same time the Tampa Sports Authority (which Norman served on) approved a patio deck in the south end-zone of Raymond James Stadium for Miller Beer.

Phillips alleges Norman’s solely listing his wife on the title to the house was “done deliberately to conceal an obvious conflict of interest for Mr. Norman and illegal gift to him and/or his spouse.”

When asked why he filed the complaint, Phillips told Irreverent View, “I’m sick of it all –the state [Republican] party leaders endorsing people for reasons other than qualifications. Voters getting zero representation. The bottom lines is, we all know there were a bunch of guys on the Hillsborough Commission put up by Ralph Hughes. And I see it happening again with [Josh] Burgin,” Phillips said referring to the county commission candidate who has been accused of being a pawn of businessman Sam Rashid.

He added, “I’m appalled at all the backroom deals. I’m just sick of it.”

Who knows how this whole thing will shake out, but Phillips is to be commended for filing his complaint and bringing further scrutiny to this subject. Norman is entitled to tell his story but has so far chosen not to say much.

One thing is clear, in politics, the story can usually be told by following the money.

Sandy Murman the sheep

cingram — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:29:39 +0000

Another one of Sam Rashid’s flock being lead out to pasture

By Chris Ingram

Conservative Hillsborough County Commission candidate Trey Rustmann’s (R) opponent Sandra Murman (R or D – depending on the wind) who has run for, considered running for, or otherwise sought the following elective offices or appointed positions in the last few years: (Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections, State Senator, Tampa City Council, County Commission, Tampa Port Authority, Mayor of Tampa), is currently sending a mail piece to Republican voters in her district claiming she is “The ONLY Republican running for County Commissioner WHO WON’T RAISE TAXES.”

One has to wonder what Murman means since Rustmann, who is a business executive with his MBA from the University of Tampa and a former Marine Corp officer who did a stint in Iraq and the Bosnia crisis when Murman was organizing fundraising car washes for one of the 8 million Tampa charities she claims to be on the board of, has not advocated raising taxes if elected to the commission. Furthermore, Murman’s blanket statement suggests all other Republicans running for Hillsborough County Commission will raise taxes. Murman and her campaign advisor Anthony Pedicini (who by the way is also pimping himself out to none-other than Mark Sharpe who apparently has no problem with his consultant going both ways) both know the claim is a bunch of crap but have failed to own up to the lie.

For the record, Murman, who was once referred to as a “sheep” by House Speaker Johnnie Byrd while she was in the state legislature (not sure if it was when she was a Democrat or not, because it’s hard to keep up with which party she is loyal to) responded to Byrd calling her a sheep by saying, “We all use analogies like that. I think of sheep as kind animals. They’re just out in the field working hard for the farm.” While she may not mind loose analogies or blanket statements not based on facts used against her, it doesn’t give her the right to use lies and false suggestions against her opponents or every other Republican running for Hillsborough County Commission.

It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows her that Murman is also a stooge to Hillsborough County political gadfly Sam Rashid – whom she has taken countless dollars from in her quest to be elected to something. Anything at all! So long as it keeps her name in the papers because she is really, really bored not being in the limelight.

Oh yeah, one last thing, Rustmann is a friend and has been a client of mine. And I would be saying all of this about Murman even if he weren’t… because it’s the truth. Oh yeah, one more one last thing: Rustmann has been endorsed by the Tampa Tribune and LaGaceta newspapers. The Tribune said, “Rustmann would bring a much-needed fresh perspective and can-do attidude to the commission.” Murman got the liberal paper over on the other side of the Bay’s endorsement — they called her career in the legislature “so-so” but endorsed this do-nothing anyway.

How low will Guetzloe go?

cingram — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:25:31 +0000

Guetzloe gets low

By Chris Ingram

Orlando bad-boy and faux Tea Party leader Doug Guetzloe sent out an e-mail blast Wednesday night calling for his followers to attend an “Ax the Tax” rally at the Hillsborough County Government Center at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Guetzloe’s e-mail claimed Libertarian Party U.S. Senate candidate Alex Snitker (the only half-legitimate candidate in the race which I base on the fact that he is the only “major” candidate in the race who is not under some sort of criminal investigation or cloud of ethical controversy) would be attending and would be endorsing Mark Sharpe’s opponent for Hillsborough County Commission.

I called Snitker at 7:00 a.m. (hoping that he, like me, with young kids was already awake – fortunately he was) to ask him about this. Snitker said he was NOT endorsing Sharpe’s opponent saying, “I don’t even know the guy and I don’t endorse Republicans.”

Later in the afternoon Snitker called me to say Guetzloe’s “rally” had been cancelled because they couldn’t even get five people to show up.

Sam Rashid and his staff were apparently busy.

The Water Cooler: Florida’s most corrupt; trampling the Constitution; McCollum’s best week; Greene’s strippers

cingram — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:42:47 +0000

The Water Cooler is a brief look at what people are talking about in politics.

By Chris Ingram

To Hell with the Constitution

The controversy about the NYC mosque being built blocks away from Ground Zero is serving as a convenient distraction for congressional Democrats who would rather not be talking about record budget deficits, Social Security going bankrupt, and the millions of Americans looking for a job.

All that aside, while it is easy to jump on the no mosque in my backyard bandwagon, it is completely un-American to do so. And I’ve got to laugh at all of the Constitution loving blue-blooded Americans who conveniently forget about the rights our Constitution provides for religious liberties for all – not just those we don’t perceive as a threat.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of any faith that treats women worse than a whipped dog and makes them walk around covered in sheets, but hey, if that’s how they want to act that’s their right.

And while it is equally easy to condemn all Muslim’s as gun toting terrorist, fortunately they’re all not.

As such, we shouldn’t trample on the Constitution because we don’t agree with the views of a religion that is not our own. What’s next? If a bunch of radical Methodists take to the streets and kill a bunch of people are we going to start banning Methodist churches?

Yours could be next.

Howdy Doody has a good week

Bill McCollum has had a good week. Depending on which poll you read, he’s back in public favor over opponent Rick Scott. The Republican Party establishment (you know, the ones who gave us the mess we’re in) have been pushing McCollum hard the last week or so, and McCollum has finally gotten his groove back.

There’s not a whole lot for Scott to do other than dump millions more into TV ads and with roughly 20 percent of the electorate still undecided, it’s worth the big ad buy. But at this point with momentum on his side, this race looks like it is McCollum’s to lose. Quite a change from two weeks ago…

I already cast my vote for Rick Scott. I voted for him because after twenty years in public office, Bill McCollum is part of the problem not part of the solution. Not to mention he won’t be horse trading good legislation for bad with Tallahassee lobbyists and special interest groups – because if elected he won’t owe anybody any favors.

Strippers for Jeff Greene

Democrat Primary voters also seem to be trending away from big bucks billionaire Jeff Greene. Greene has spent millions trying to woo Democrat voters into believing that a man who had Mike Tyson as his best man, Heidi Fleiss as a houseguest, and naked strippers on his mega-yacht has what it takes to get our economy back on track. I’m thinking not – unless that is, he plans on hiring all the unemployed to become poll dancers on his yacht Summerwind. Click here to see the boobies on Greene’s yacht; but don’t open if you’re offended by, well, boobs.

Five Florida politicians make list of 12 “most crooked”

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) recently released its Top 12 Most Crooked Candidates who are running for federal office in 2010. While the name of this organization would indicated it is run by a bunch of people living in some Utopia (ethics in Washington?), the non-partisan group has nonetheless done its homework in compiling its 2010 list.

Sadly for Floridians, five of the twelve hail from the Sunshine State and four of those are running for the U.S. Senate. CREW doesn’t favor one party over the other in its assessments. The four Florida bad boys are: Charlie “pander pants” Crist, NPA; Marco “whose got my Amex Card” Rubio, Republican; Kendrick “gotta’ find my momma a job” Meek, Democrat; and Jeff “show me some boobies” Greene.

Ah, Florida…tropical breezes, beautiful sunsets, Disney World, and dirt-bag politicians.

Libertarian candidate Alex Snitker is starting to look like the best option.

(The fifth Florida candidate on the list is Republican Allen West who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives).

See the CREW Top 12 by clicking here.

Don’t Spread My Wealth!

A video interview I did with Susan Massey of the website Don’t Spread My Wealth can be watched by clicking here. Susan and I discussed Florida and Hillsborough County elections.

Special Political Connections on Bay News 9

If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and have Brighthouse Networks, be sure to check out Political Connections’ special one-hour election coverage this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Betty Castor and I discuss Florida elections with hosts Adam Smith and Al Ruechel. We’ll also be on deck on Election Night starting at 6:30 p.m. until who knows when.

A new Rashid ally: a socialist who doesn’t like trains

cingram — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:57:09 +0000

Karl Marx liked trains. Rod Brooker does not.

By Rod Brooker

So I’m reading Mr. Ingram’s most recent one-act play about what’s-his-name and Mark Sharpe, and Sam The Anti-Pope, and I’m thinking it’s a pretty good piece of writing for a Celt, and then I’m reading the comments of you gentle readers, and lightning strikes me.

This whole complex issue of the train tax, the Arkansas house, the County Fathers, and home schooling was all moshed together in my mind, and, in an instant, enlightenment!

Jerry Bowmer. Jim Norman. Get it? No?

A few of you who commented on Mr. Ingram’s column observed that our beloved Hillsborough County has been well-fornicated by developers for decades, and there has always been a majority of county commissioners that have pimped the county and raked in the bucks. Some decades were flagrant (Jerry Bowmer) and some more subtle, as long as you are a rock in a phosphate pit. I mean, favors and campaign contributions are not the same as Andy Jacksons in brown bags, are they? You kids are thinking, “Andy Jacksons?” Yeah, they were the Benjamins of the 1970s.

Some of you have gone to Defcon 4 at the term “train tax.” Kids! I have to call it what it is. Remember the Penny for the Good Life? It was really the Bucks for the Performing Arts Center. That penny was allegedly for “sports, arts, and recreation.” Little children would learn the cello in ball parks dotted across the county. So what happened?

Did I mention it was sold as a two-year penny? Funny, it’s still there. Or not there for us, in terms of the jingle in our pockets. What is the “good life” penny paying for today? I’m asking. Next we had a half penny tax to build a football stadium for billionaires. At least it was sold as a 30-year half penny but it will still be here after the Apocalypse.

Just because I am a Socialist does not mean I am a Philistine, or a not-a-real-man. I like the Performing Arts Center. My aging back does not like the seats, which is my problem. But was it really worth a penny from danged near every buck we drop for things other than serious food and prescription medicines? I’d gladly pay a 10 percent or 20 percent surcharge on performance tickets rather than to lose that penny. Likewise I like the Bucs and RayJay. Same story with my back. Same story with putting a surcharge on RayJay tickets. Such surcharges fall under the category of “user fees.”

User fees let government put the bulk of the cost of a service or facility on the people who use it. On the other hand, if government taxes everyone to provide something that only a few people use, it’s called income redistribution. Spreading it around. Socialism. Vote for the train tax, and you are a Socialist. Relax. It happens in the best of families.

Pennies add up. Take the next one we’re being pressured to give up. Please. If you think the train tax is going to add bus lanes and build wider highways, do I have a bridge for you . . . The train tax is going to build a strange rail line that will lose money, and most of the people paying for it won’t use it. And the train seats will be hard on my back, but that’s my problem. So how do we price a rail system? This is a tough one. Who will be the users? How do we get our hands in their pockets today for something they’ll use tomorrow? Raise gasoline taxes for a train? The real question is, who the hell is going to ride the train? Really. The train is a shiny new toy that some people want under their Christmas tree. They are selling it to us with all the vagueness at their command.
The problem is financing the capital investment for all these cool things that a few people want to buy. Bonds are popular government offerings to do so. Unfortunately, except for the idiots who bought mortgage-backed derivatives, potential bond-holders will want to get their money back someday, with interest. Maybe we can back bonds with the projected stream of income from train fares? See the above reference to “vagueness.” Have you noticed that the train-tax people don’t ever, ever say the words “Miami Metrorail.”

At the end of the line, I, a Socialist, am voting against the Train Tax. What the hell kind of Socialist am I? Talking privately now to Sam The Anti-Pope: I’m on your side this time. Got a job for me? Just kidding, big guy.

Re-enter Jerry Bowmer and Jim Norman. They have both been County Commissioners, and both have the letters J, O, R, and M in their names. Those facts alone raise suspicion. And developers seem to have done really well in their terms. But I paint Jim Norman with a heavy brush. As long as I can remember, there have been at least four Commissioners ready to “create economic growth and bring jobs to Hillsborough County.” Thanks to these commissioners, developers have made billions of dollars by doing things on the cheap. Which is why we need better transportation. And schools. And sewerage. And all that stuff.

So today we should be talking about things a lot more important and urgent than a choo-choo train. Today we have to bail out Kennedy Boulevard, not unlike the Socialist federal government’s bail out of Wall Street. The big difference is, the Wall Street gang was going broke. Down here, the developers were sitting at our table, getting fat.

Pass the pennies?

Rod Brooker is a Socialist hippie who puts up a train set at Christmas for his grandson and who takes the little guy to ride steam trains in Parrish. Negative cynic that he is , Rod figures the little guy and his Baptist pre-school classmates will be paying our pennies, and more to come, all their lives. E-mail Rod at: lightnnrod@mac.com.