Knock-knock.
“Who’s there?”
Opportunity.
[No response.]
You know, I only knock once.
“This is a joke, right?”
Not this time.
“Okay. Let’s assume this is the real thing. Why should I let you in?”
If you don’t let me in right now, I won’t be knocking on your door for a long, long time.
“Okay… What do you want me to do?”
C’mon! There’s a set format here. It’s your turn to ask me THE question. Hint: WHO!
“Why don’t you just go away?”
Listen, I’m trying to help the folks out here - just as you should be - but you’re tickin’ me off… bad.
“Tick… tick… tick… You’re a time bomb, right?” [The sound of giggling.]
I told you this is no joking matter, but in a sense you’re quite right. And I don’t think your attitude deserves my patience.
“So you’re the doctor and we’re your patients?” [More giggling… there’s a group of people behind the door of opportunity.]
I know you’re not alone. Are you all daft? This is supposed to be your big chance to make a difference… you know, that legacy thing?
“We don’t need no stinkin’ legacy!” [A smirk and a wink to others of the inner circle.]
Do you want me to walk away?
“Don’t let the door hit you in the a--! [Downright laughter behind the closed door.]
Time waits for no one. You know I only come around once in a generation?
“So now you’re a generator?” [A few snorts. It seems there are fewer listeners.]
Actually, yes, I’m trying to generate some interest just as you should be.
“We don’t need you. We’re the Lucky Eleven.”
It’s more like Ocean’s Eleven and you’re all washed up.
“Not us. Charlie appointed us. We’re still elitists and that’s the way it is. There’s more of us here. Of course, they’re not as important because seven were appointed by Ken Pruitt, another seven by Marco Rubio. There are four more but they’re just here for the ride.”
Is John McCay there? Maybe he’ll let me in.
“He’s here somewhere but he’s too busy doing something. He’s kinda the oddball of the group. He takes his job much too seriously… a goody-two-shoes.”
Will you at least let him know I’m here? Maybe he’ll give me passage.
“NO. WE DON”T NEED YOU!”
[The door remains locked… an opportunity lost.]
At the website [www.floridatbrc.org] there’s a link to the document that was released on Feb. 16, 2007, with the Great Seal of the State of Florida announcing the formation of the Taxation and Budget Reform Committee. It claims that the committee “must submit any proposed constitutional amendments by May 4, 2008. The website also displays the headline “Commission’s Work Complete”. It proclaims that on 4-28-08 that their work was done. The Commission gave up before the deadline. In another 20 years, another Commission will be given another opportunity to reform taxation codes to address the needs of the budget. Indeed, 20 years is a generation away. That’s a very long time. Again, opportunity will only knock once. We can only hope the door will be open.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Jail Time Out Of Line
When I read that carriers of fake IDs, notably spring breakers in Florida, are subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison, I was in disbelief that such a law would put into jeopardy the lives of such young adults. Some of old timers might call them “baby adults”. Many are 18 and 19 – still considered teenagers. They’re stuck with a third-degree felony, which will follow them through their decades of restricted employment opportunities – if they can even continue their goals in higher educational.
It’s very likely that law enforcement and the judicial system would take into consideration the sight, sound and social demeanor of the felon. Face it - clean-cut, well-spoken and respectful perpetrators are likely to be given special consideration of their actions. Dad and Mom may also have the financial resources to work through “the system” to pay the dues to society for their kid’s actions.
Conversely, unkempt hair and shabby attire, grammatically incorrect verbal responses and an attitude that is disrespectful of authority will most likely bring the gavel down with more painful repercussion. A public defender will cowtow to the State Attorney for whatever plea bargain may be offered.
In contrast to a felony charge, possessing someone else’s ID, lending an ID to a friend or altering the birth date on an ID is a second degree misdemeanor with up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Now, take note that former South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, 45, has recently been sentenced to 10 months in prison for possession of less than 500 grams of cocaine, which he admitted having used since he was 18. He could have received up to 20 years in prison and $1-million in fines, but using federal guidelines he received a lesser sentence. He must also pay $249,999 ($221,323 fine and $28,676 restitution for the special legislative session to name his successor).
Co-defendant Michael L. Miller, 26, who sold the illegal drug was given a 10-month sentence.
It’s difficult to understand why an adult, having worked over 20 years in a position that requires a large degree of responsibility, should be considered less of a felon than someone barely out of high school. The young adult may not receive the full sentence for his or her crime, but in this scenario an adult received but a slap on the hand considering the jail sentence and a good spanking with the amount of restitution.
Sure, Ravenel’s $249,999 fine is a large sum but, with over 20 years as a working professional and prospects of gaining meaningful employment once released from prison, he’ll be able to weather the inconvenience of his current notoriety. He’ll surely have opportunities in investment management or other areas in economics where he will continue to financially survive.
No one can guarantee with any certainty that Miller will halt his entrepreneurship of selling illicit drugs. Ten months down the road, perhaps the two will buddy up again!
There seems to be no common sense in the guidelines for restitution for these crimes, which makes the matter a crime in itself.
It’s very likely that law enforcement and the judicial system would take into consideration the sight, sound and social demeanor of the felon. Face it - clean-cut, well-spoken and respectful perpetrators are likely to be given special consideration of their actions. Dad and Mom may also have the financial resources to work through “the system” to pay the dues to society for their kid’s actions.
Conversely, unkempt hair and shabby attire, grammatically incorrect verbal responses and an attitude that is disrespectful of authority will most likely bring the gavel down with more painful repercussion. A public defender will cowtow to the State Attorney for whatever plea bargain may be offered.
In contrast to a felony charge, possessing someone else’s ID, lending an ID to a friend or altering the birth date on an ID is a second degree misdemeanor with up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Now, take note that former South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, 45, has recently been sentenced to 10 months in prison for possession of less than 500 grams of cocaine, which he admitted having used since he was 18. He could have received up to 20 years in prison and $1-million in fines, but using federal guidelines he received a lesser sentence. He must also pay $249,999 ($221,323 fine and $28,676 restitution for the special legislative session to name his successor).
Co-defendant Michael L. Miller, 26, who sold the illegal drug was given a 10-month sentence.
It’s difficult to understand why an adult, having worked over 20 years in a position that requires a large degree of responsibility, should be considered less of a felon than someone barely out of high school. The young adult may not receive the full sentence for his or her crime, but in this scenario an adult received but a slap on the hand considering the jail sentence and a good spanking with the amount of restitution.
Sure, Ravenel’s $249,999 fine is a large sum but, with over 20 years as a working professional and prospects of gaining meaningful employment once released from prison, he’ll be able to weather the inconvenience of his current notoriety. He’ll surely have opportunities in investment management or other areas in economics where he will continue to financially survive.
No one can guarantee with any certainty that Miller will halt his entrepreneurship of selling illicit drugs. Ten months down the road, perhaps the two will buddy up again!
There seems to be no common sense in the guidelines for restitution for these crimes, which makes the matter a crime in itself.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A Peaches and Cream Speech
Good grief, Charlie, where ya been lately?
Side-steppin’ your elected responsibilities of addressing the needs of Floridians with your travels on both sides of the Atlantic, from South America way down south in Argentina to points north and east in Israel and Britain?
Gallivanting and carousing the United States with an older man, anticipating an inheritance of influence and power?
Smile and the Florida Legislator with you and your positive thinking but the truth of the matters are not as you portray them to be. Was that a tongue-in-cheek speech you gave during the State of the State Address? You can’t laugh off the depressive effects of the construction industry and the rippling tide it spreads through a multitude of other businesses.
You've never owned a home, so how can you relate to the affects of property taxes and home insurance on
You can’t shrug off the crash-boom-bang economics as a result of unending foreclosures in this State that has built itself on burgeoning homeowner property tax revenue. With most Americans experiencing one type of financial hardship or another, you can’t even rely on the tourist industry to keep the sunny side up above the looming clouds of a gloomy forecast.
Perhaps you’ve been blinded by the light of the midday sun and just don’t realize how the state of the State is something other than a healthy rose-colored crystal ball; it’s more like a stained-glass outlook through a hazy window.
The forecast is for cloudy skies.
Rather than what was portrayed in your Peaches and Cream speech, the State of affairs is ripe with rotting fruit and soured skim milk.
Side-steppin’ your elected responsibilities of addressing the needs of Floridians with your travels on both sides of the Atlantic, from South America way down south in Argentina to points north and east in Israel and Britain?
Gallivanting and carousing the United States with an older man, anticipating an inheritance of influence and power?
Smile and the Florida Legislator with you and your positive thinking but the truth of the matters are not as you portray them to be. Was that a tongue-in-cheek speech you gave during the State of the State Address? You can’t laugh off the depressive effects of the construction industry and the rippling tide it spreads through a multitude of other businesses.
You've never owned a home, so how can you relate to the affects of property taxes and home insurance on
You can’t shrug off the crash-boom-bang economics as a result of unending foreclosures in this State that has built itself on burgeoning homeowner property tax revenue. With most Americans experiencing one type of financial hardship or another, you can’t even rely on the tourist industry to keep the sunny side up above the looming clouds of a gloomy forecast.
Perhaps you’ve been blinded by the light of the midday sun and just don’t realize how the state of the State is something other than a healthy rose-colored crystal ball; it’s more like a stained-glass outlook through a hazy window.
The forecast is for cloudy skies.
Rather than what was portrayed in your Peaches and Cream speech, the State of affairs is ripe with rotting fruit and soured skim milk.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Giving Charlie a Secretarial Position
Surveys indicate Florida Governor Charlie Crist may not be a significant drawing card as a vice presidential candidate on the Republican ticket for the General Election on November 4th. Senator John McCain seems to be doing quite well without the Crist connection as the Florida electorate puts him as the preferred Presidential choice regardless which Democrat ends up on the ballot.
I don't know if this would be good or bad news for us Floridians. Charlie's popularity still lingers above 70% even though his shortcomings over the past 16 months are many. A Top Ten List of his failures would be much too easy to number. Florida homeowners in particular are economically worse off than they were before Charlie took office. True, not all of the bad news is of his making but he hasn't help matters. He hasn't done for Florida what he professed to have been his goals. At this point, he wouldn't be missed.
If Crist isn't chosen as second honcho to Senator McCain, I can imagine there may be a post within McCain's cabinet. It would still be a significant political accomplishment for the Governor.
His weeks of traveling the country with McCain for nearly two months can still pay off dearly. Since many veeps live in the political shadows of the Federal Government, perhaps a greater share of notoriety can be achieved in another position.
Consider that Charlie has had plenty of experience over the past year, outside Florida, spotlighting his charisma and diplomacy in Israel, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Jordan. A planned meeting with executives of Brazil's state-owned energy company Petrobras was cancelled because of its ties with Iran, citing the Islamic republic as a threat to the United States and its allies, Israel in particlular. Crist has also signed a global warming pact with Britain.
Yes, Governor Crist has become very well known in international circles of interest.
Instead of Vice President, consider the possibility of Secretary of State Charlie Crist. He could very well be instrumental in future Middle East peace talks. If McCain wins the Presidential election, Crist may find his political career of more importance that even he can imagine.
I don't know if this would be good or bad news for us Floridians. Charlie's popularity still lingers above 70% even though his shortcomings over the past 16 months are many. A Top Ten List of his failures would be much too easy to number. Florida homeowners in particular are economically worse off than they were before Charlie took office. True, not all of the bad news is of his making but he hasn't help matters. He hasn't done for Florida what he professed to have been his goals. At this point, he wouldn't be missed.
If Crist isn't chosen as second honcho to Senator McCain, I can imagine there may be a post within McCain's cabinet. It would still be a significant political accomplishment for the Governor.
His weeks of traveling the country with McCain for nearly two months can still pay off dearly. Since many veeps live in the political shadows of the Federal Government, perhaps a greater share of notoriety can be achieved in another position.
Consider that Charlie has had plenty of experience over the past year, outside Florida, spotlighting his charisma and diplomacy in Israel, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Jordan. A planned meeting with executives of Brazil's state-owned energy company Petrobras was cancelled because of its ties with Iran, citing the Islamic republic as a threat to the United States and its allies, Israel in particlular. Crist has also signed a global warming pact with Britain.
Yes, Governor Crist has become very well known in international circles of interest.
Instead of Vice President, consider the possibility of Secretary of State Charlie Crist. He could very well be instrumental in future Middle East peace talks. If McCain wins the Presidential election, Crist may find his political career of more importance that even he can imagine.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A Year With Charlie Crist
The Opinion Letter is framed. It was short and sweet, as it had appeared in the St. PetersburghTimes on Janurary 17, 2007. I submitted the letter upon the victory of Charlie Crist as the newly elected Governor of Florida. I wrote about “a sense of relief, anticipating some major changes in our daily lives”. The words of praise were heartfelt.
I hadn’t considered myself overly optimistic in my belief that he would resolve the hardships of homeowner insurance, property taxes and, perhaps the most important of all, education. This January, my disappointments are three-fold.
Although Amendment 1 passed the required 60% popular vote in the Florida Primary on Janurary 29th, it has very little positive affect on my personal property tax bill. My home insurance continued to rise after the Florida Legislature passed a bill that was supposed to actually lower the premium. Nothing has been done about education. Funding for schools is further in question because of sinking property values and the passage of Amendment 1.
Despite Governor Crist's shortfalls on his promises, my concerns are still dwarfed by my faith that his full term in office will provide a legacy of monumental proportions.
Another letter that adorns the wall in my den, dated January 20, 2007, overshadows my own. The glass-encased 8 ½ by 11 page bears the Great Seal of The State of Florida with the letterhead reading Charlie Crist, Governor. His signature accompanies the words “Thank you very much for your most kind words!”
Although my approval rating of the Governor is somewhat diminished, I maintain the belief that, in time, “he’ll earn the title of Superman – to me at least”.
I hadn’t considered myself overly optimistic in my belief that he would resolve the hardships of homeowner insurance, property taxes and, perhaps the most important of all, education. This January, my disappointments are three-fold.
Although Amendment 1 passed the required 60% popular vote in the Florida Primary on Janurary 29th, it has very little positive affect on my personal property tax bill. My home insurance continued to rise after the Florida Legislature passed a bill that was supposed to actually lower the premium. Nothing has been done about education. Funding for schools is further in question because of sinking property values and the passage of Amendment 1.
Despite Governor Crist's shortfalls on his promises, my concerns are still dwarfed by my faith that his full term in office will provide a legacy of monumental proportions.
Another letter that adorns the wall in my den, dated January 20, 2007, overshadows my own. The glass-encased 8 ½ by 11 page bears the Great Seal of The State of Florida with the letterhead reading Charlie Crist, Governor. His signature accompanies the words “Thank you very much for your most kind words!”
Although my approval rating of the Governor is somewhat diminished, I maintain the belief that, in time, “he’ll earn the title of Superman – to me at least”.
Aftermath of Amendment 1
Whew! Aren’t I the lucky one! I figure there’s a whopping $240 savings on my typically average home value now that Amendment One is said and done. I’ll still have an end-of-the-year tax bill that’s three times that of my neighbors.
And, as Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek repeatedly informed us during last fall’s Hernando County Budget hearings, there’ll be an additional reduction because the value of my home plummeted in 2007; property taxes are billed a year in arrears.
I’ll still have an end-of-the-year bill that is three times that of my neighbors who have stayed in the same home in excess of ten years. I’ll still be paying a far higher share of taxes than those same neighbors who maintain the same level of services from County Government. Hundreds of other homeowners in the county are right there beside me although they’re necessarily neighbors.
Those same neighbors whose tax bills are a third on my own can downsize to another location and save their homes much more easily than myself. If I should downsize I would still pay three times as much in property and school taxes as they. I’ll cross my fingers next fall when the County Commissioners place their votes for the 2009 budget and hope they don’t inch up the millage rate. We might even get it socked to us bad if the three incumbents fail in their re-elected bids in the General Election – it may be a season of sour grapes as they take vengeance on the electorate.
I can take the overall savings in property taxes of maybe $400 and apply it to my home insurance premium that was never reduced as promised by Governor Crist.
There are those who made out like bandits from the passage of Amendment 1, but there are also just as many of us still behind bars with a financial responsibility that foresees no reprieve. We’ve been sentenced to a lifetime of inequity because the Florida Legislature can rest easy that the people have mandates the status quo. There will no longer be the need to pursue other tax reform.
I feel the only way for me to make out ahead is to fall backward by selling my current home and relocate to a trailer valued little more than $50,000; I would have true property tax and insurance relief. I can’t expect it otherwise.
And, as Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek repeatedly informed us during last fall’s Hernando County Budget hearings, there’ll be an additional reduction because the value of my home plummeted in 2007; property taxes are billed a year in arrears.
I’ll still have an end-of-the-year bill that is three times that of my neighbors who have stayed in the same home in excess of ten years. I’ll still be paying a far higher share of taxes than those same neighbors who maintain the same level of services from County Government. Hundreds of other homeowners in the county are right there beside me although they’re necessarily neighbors.
Those same neighbors whose tax bills are a third on my own can downsize to another location and save their homes much more easily than myself. If I should downsize I would still pay three times as much in property and school taxes as they. I’ll cross my fingers next fall when the County Commissioners place their votes for the 2009 budget and hope they don’t inch up the millage rate. We might even get it socked to us bad if the three incumbents fail in their re-elected bids in the General Election – it may be a season of sour grapes as they take vengeance on the electorate.
I can take the overall savings in property taxes of maybe $400 and apply it to my home insurance premium that was never reduced as promised by Governor Crist.
There are those who made out like bandits from the passage of Amendment 1, but there are also just as many of us still behind bars with a financial responsibility that foresees no reprieve. We’ve been sentenced to a lifetime of inequity because the Florida Legislature can rest easy that the people have mandates the status quo. There will no longer be the need to pursue other tax reform.
I feel the only way for me to make out ahead is to fall backward by selling my current home and relocate to a trailer valued little more than $50,000; I would have true property tax and insurance relief. I can’t expect it otherwise.
john thrasher against democracy
How annoying it is to receive not only one but TWO of those “Signature and Petition Revocation Notices” from the “honorable” john thrasher. The man is so persistent in his attempt to get me to REVOKE my signature that I had purposely placed on the petition for an Amendment to Florida’s Constitution to put the direction of responsible growth in the hands of those most affected, existing property owners.
The opening line, “This is a extremely…” may demonstrate a lack of intelligence toward proper grammar. I returned the front page asking him to correct and return the form with expedient delivery. At that time I will truly not consider signing and submitting his PETITION REVOCATION FORM.
Many newspapers throughout Florida have called his attempt to undermine the rights of voters by providing false or misleading information in his “Signature and Petition Revocation Notice”.
Nowhere in his “letter” does he mention the Florida Hometown Democracy initiative to be voted on by Florida voters.
The last sentence on the first page reads, “The tactics used to get you to sign their petition are deceptive.” HIS tactic to get me to revoke my decision to freely sign the petition is not only deceptive; it’s downright disgusting because he is what some may call a “goon of a lobbyist” for the building industry. I have no doubt the guy is paid very, very, very well to promote special interest groups determined to build, build, build on every available piece of land in Florida.
The man jeopardizes the financial security of every Florida homeowner by promoting uncontrolled growth along the coasts of the state. With every new high-rise, we will all take on the debt of paying for the rich and affluent to reside in luxury, while Citizens Insurance liabilities become our responsibility.
I returned his second URGENT request with notes that read:
“grammatical error”
“an extremely..” (I gave him a hint, which he doesn’t deserve, and circled the error)
“please correct”
“feel free to use Spell Check and resubmit for further consideration”
I returned the envelope, and page one only with the suggested correction, and added the word URGENT below the words FIRST CLASS that was stamped in red at the corner to the right of the addressee PETITION REVOCATION DEPARTMENT.
The envelope was labeled BUSINESS REPLY MAIL.
It’s more like DIRTY BUSINESS REPLY MAIL.
The opening line, “This is a extremely…” may demonstrate a lack of intelligence toward proper grammar. I returned the front page asking him to correct and return the form with expedient delivery. At that time I will truly not consider signing and submitting his PETITION REVOCATION FORM.
Many newspapers throughout Florida have called his attempt to undermine the rights of voters by providing false or misleading information in his “Signature and Petition Revocation Notice”.
Nowhere in his “letter” does he mention the Florida Hometown Democracy initiative to be voted on by Florida voters.
The last sentence on the first page reads, “The tactics used to get you to sign their petition are deceptive.” HIS tactic to get me to revoke my decision to freely sign the petition is not only deceptive; it’s downright disgusting because he is what some may call a “goon of a lobbyist” for the building industry. I have no doubt the guy is paid very, very, very well to promote special interest groups determined to build, build, build on every available piece of land in Florida.
The man jeopardizes the financial security of every Florida homeowner by promoting uncontrolled growth along the coasts of the state. With every new high-rise, we will all take on the debt of paying for the rich and affluent to reside in luxury, while Citizens Insurance liabilities become our responsibility.
I returned his second URGENT request with notes that read:
“grammatical error”
“an extremely..” (I gave him a hint, which he doesn’t deserve, and circled the error)
“please correct”
“feel free to use Spell Check and resubmit for further consideration”
I returned the envelope, and page one only with the suggested correction, and added the word URGENT below the words FIRST CLASS that was stamped in red at the corner to the right of the addressee PETITION REVOCATION DEPARTMENT.
The envelope was labeled BUSINESS REPLY MAIL.
It’s more like DIRTY BUSINESS REPLY MAIL.
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