The Florida Catastrophe Fund is in such dire state that Governor Charlie Crist’s Republican-controlled Legislature set up a deal with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. to pay a $224M premium to borrow up to $4B toward paying claims to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund… if needed.
The CAT Fund pays claims when damages exceed $7B statewide.
Mr. Buffett’s financial portfolio includes such names as GEICO, Fruit of the Loom, NetJets, Dairy Queen and, now, a piece of the State of Florida. Of course, taxpayers foot the insurance bill, which is purchased at a rate of 5.6%. Any part of the $4B that is deemed necessary to borrow from the fund will put additional money in the pocket through bond purchases at 6.5%.
After meeting their claim requirements, certain costs from the cat fund are passed along to private insurers who in turn pass along the fees in the form of higher insurance premiums, as is now the case with State Farm. The request comes with some area rates increasing by 91% with an average of 47% statewide.
And still, compared to the 5.6% the State is paying Berkshire Hathaway, Florida homeowners don’t really have it all that bad… percentage-wise.
Let’s take for instance a home insured for $200K with full coverage including full sinkhole coverage, which is about 40% of the total premium but a very risky proposition anyway you look at it, and a 2% hurricane deductible: might pay a $1600 yearly premium. This would bring the insured amount to a low .8% rate. Even with a 50% rate hike from State Farm, the premium rate would be 1.2% of the amount insured.
Going back to the 5.6% rate of insurance that the State is paying to Berkshire Hathaway, you’d be paying $11,200 on a yearly basis.
Now that this has been explained in facts, figures, dollars and cents don’t you feel fortunate that your homeowner insurance is such a great bargain as compared to what it could possibly be?
You’re right. I don’t either. None of us, including the State, are exempt from the affects of a devastating hurricane and the damages that probably won’t be fully covered regardless which company takes your money and runs from inherent risks that they refuse to accept.
Worst of all for the homeowners of Florida is the blatant denial of coverage for those insured with companies that cancel policies right, left, north and south for properties along the coastlines. Insurance companies’ reduction in risk and higher premiums for the remaining policyholders, and the backup of CAT funds, makes for an assurance of their profits and less insurance to homeowners.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Soak It - Twist It
Get rid of the paper shredder and make it simpler,
and less time-consuming, to destroy personal data.
Put a stopper in the kitchen sink, and soak those letters,
bills and financial statements with a bit of water
then let them sit for a few minutes,
depending on the amount of paperwork, then give the wad a twist.
Try to separate and read the pages!
It’s quick and effective and you save a little on the electric bill.
Every little bit helps.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Oil and Water Don't Mix
TARBALLS REPLACE BEACH BALLS ON NATURE COAST
CRIST GIVES UP FLIP-FLOPS FOR RUBBER BOOTS
These could very well be headlines in The Tribune if oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico were allowed. Governor Charlie Crist might find himself wearing hip-hugger rubber boots instead of his flip-flops.
Speculation has rationalized that this blatant political position is more in tune with that of Senator John McCain, looking out for himself and other party advocates hoping to make a bit of history on Election Day 2008.
You can’t blame Charlie. It’s not much different than the actions of a corporate subordinate interested in advancement within the organization. Politics is more so.
It’s surprising that the Governor is promoting offshore drilling. This is in conflict with his concern for the affects on the fishing industry facing limited down-flow water reserves from Georgia. The Florida Department of Environmentalist is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for what would jeopardize sea life, namely sturgeon and a variety of mussels.
The economic impact of an oil spill would severely damage the $40M commercial fishing industry. The ecological impact of an oil spill is apparently less of a concern for the $65B revenue from tourism.
Scenarios can be manipulated to give the impression that the worst of possible disasters would not be as harmful as some believe. The problem is that the right conditions would create horrendous consequences to the State of Florida.
The EPA has stated there would be a 47% chance that an oil spill would reach the coast of Florida. Another forecast shows a decline of tourism revenue by 45% over a two-year period, not soon recovered. The risk factor is not on the right side of being earth-friendly or economic responsibility.
“Let gasoline hit $4 a gallon and the demand for more oil exploration is going to get pretty loud. Let gasoline hit $6 a gallon and I expect to see oilrigs going in within site of the expensive coastal houses owned by the rich – just like the oilrigs off Santa Barbara.”
This article in the Christian Science Monitor was followed with a statement that the platform lights are a spectacular sight in the dark of night. Romantic?
Just west of Pensacola, along the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas only 3,842 out of 7,500 leased drill sites are active. Local economies have chosen the benefits of jobs (58,000 in Louisiana alone) over concern of the trash and tar along their shores.
Hillsborough County employs over 50,000 tourism related jobs with $847M in wages. Pinellas County - 82,000 with $2.5B in wages. Santa Rosa County - 1300 jobs worth $21M annual wages. These figures do not reflect tax revenues that add to local economies.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed 115 oil platforms, ultimately spoiling the Gulf with more than 7M gallons of petroleum; the Exxon Valdez spilled 11M gallons. And yet the industry wants us to believe technology over the past three years has lessened the dangers of future spills.
On their own, birds can’t recover. Sea life has no chance of surviving. The same fate applies to all wildlife and vegetation along coastlines. Within a year of the Exxon Valdez, beaches were clean enough for humans to frequent but natural habitats will take up to 30 years to recover.
Offshore waters of Texas and Louisiana are already polluted with two decades of runoffs of farm fertilizers, originating as far north as the Minnesota River emptying in the Mississippi River, with every other tributary contributing to the pollution on its way to the Gulf.
This “dead zone” covers over 8,000 square miles, expected to grow to 10,000 in the next few years. No life can exist in these oxygen-depleted waters. Global warming will accelerate the expansion. The dead zone is forever.
Superimposed maps show that oilrig sites and the dead zone overlap. Congress is considering canceling nearly 4,000 tracts for resale to companies that will fulfill the purpose of the leases. Better there than along the Florida coast. There would be no significant change in the cost of petroleum products. Oil exploration would be nothing other than negative for Florida.
No, it’s not likely Gov. Crist will be wearing rubber boots. His popularity has a one-year approval adjustment from 73% to 59%. His pre-election promises may be left behind as he gains national prominence. In which case, he wouldn’t need rubber boots, as he would take his flip-flops along with his aspirations to Washington, wearing a pair of shoes made from the hides of alligators dead from tarballs floating in the Everglades.
CRIST GIVES UP FLIP-FLOPS FOR RUBBER BOOTS
These could very well be headlines in The Tribune if oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico were allowed. Governor Charlie Crist might find himself wearing hip-hugger rubber boots instead of his flip-flops.
Speculation has rationalized that this blatant political position is more in tune with that of Senator John McCain, looking out for himself and other party advocates hoping to make a bit of history on Election Day 2008.
You can’t blame Charlie. It’s not much different than the actions of a corporate subordinate interested in advancement within the organization. Politics is more so.
It’s surprising that the Governor is promoting offshore drilling. This is in conflict with his concern for the affects on the fishing industry facing limited down-flow water reserves from Georgia. The Florida Department of Environmentalist is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for what would jeopardize sea life, namely sturgeon and a variety of mussels.
The economic impact of an oil spill would severely damage the $40M commercial fishing industry. The ecological impact of an oil spill is apparently less of a concern for the $65B revenue from tourism.
Scenarios can be manipulated to give the impression that the worst of possible disasters would not be as harmful as some believe. The problem is that the right conditions would create horrendous consequences to the State of Florida.
The EPA has stated there would be a 47% chance that an oil spill would reach the coast of Florida. Another forecast shows a decline of tourism revenue by 45% over a two-year period, not soon recovered. The risk factor is not on the right side of being earth-friendly or economic responsibility.
“Let gasoline hit $4 a gallon and the demand for more oil exploration is going to get pretty loud. Let gasoline hit $6 a gallon and I expect to see oilrigs going in within site of the expensive coastal houses owned by the rich – just like the oilrigs off Santa Barbara.”
This article in the Christian Science Monitor was followed with a statement that the platform lights are a spectacular sight in the dark of night. Romantic?
Just west of Pensacola, along the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas only 3,842 out of 7,500 leased drill sites are active. Local economies have chosen the benefits of jobs (58,000 in Louisiana alone) over concern of the trash and tar along their shores.
Hillsborough County employs over 50,000 tourism related jobs with $847M in wages. Pinellas County - 82,000 with $2.5B in wages. Santa Rosa County - 1300 jobs worth $21M annual wages. These figures do not reflect tax revenues that add to local economies.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed 115 oil platforms, ultimately spoiling the Gulf with more than 7M gallons of petroleum; the Exxon Valdez spilled 11M gallons. And yet the industry wants us to believe technology over the past three years has lessened the dangers of future spills.
On their own, birds can’t recover. Sea life has no chance of surviving. The same fate applies to all wildlife and vegetation along coastlines. Within a year of the Exxon Valdez, beaches were clean enough for humans to frequent but natural habitats will take up to 30 years to recover.
Offshore waters of Texas and Louisiana are already polluted with two decades of runoffs of farm fertilizers, originating as far north as the Minnesota River emptying in the Mississippi River, with every other tributary contributing to the pollution on its way to the Gulf.
This “dead zone” covers over 8,000 square miles, expected to grow to 10,000 in the next few years. No life can exist in these oxygen-depleted waters. Global warming will accelerate the expansion. The dead zone is forever.
Superimposed maps show that oilrig sites and the dead zone overlap. Congress is considering canceling nearly 4,000 tracts for resale to companies that will fulfill the purpose of the leases. Better there than along the Florida coast. There would be no significant change in the cost of petroleum products. Oil exploration would be nothing other than negative for Florida.
No, it’s not likely Gov. Crist will be wearing rubber boots. His popularity has a one-year approval adjustment from 73% to 59%. His pre-election promises may be left behind as he gains national prominence. In which case, he wouldn’t need rubber boots, as he would take his flip-flops along with his aspirations to Washington, wearing a pair of shoes made from the hides of alligators dead from tarballs floating in the Everglades.
Monday, May 19, 2008
I Am Not A Farmer
In April I received a statement that forewarned me the yearly premium on my home’s insurance policy would come due in July. At first, I though it was a little premature to send me the “renewal certificate” but the bottom line figure as payment to cover the cost of repairs in the event of loss of property was something to be concerned about. It didn’t offer a monthly payment plan.
The only positive statement I can make is that the premium was but a few dollars more than the figure in 2007. My worst fear proved unwarranted; the 30% increase I had seen from 2006 to 2007 didn’t happen again. Thank you very much, Governor Crist, for keeping my rates from going down as you had promised; insurance companies not only reduced their risk by canceling policies along the coastlines of Florida but also kept the practice of profitability by being allowed to up my premium.
Information that had little effect on the premium included a coverage increase of $22.00 but there was also a rate change premium decrease of $35.00, which was good news of little importance. If not for a reduction in the assessment for Citizens Property Insurance losses by $80.52 I would have had an overall increase. How lucky can I get that this comes as a gift “due to an appropriation by the Florida Legislature”!
No one can predict what the assessment will be when the “big one” demolishes any portion of Florida. Last year it was 7.2% of the bill, now 2.5% (and 1% of my auto insurance). We’re still paying for the 2005 hurricane season; the next one may warrant a surcharge well into the next millennium.
So, I had to hawk the line-by-line charges to see what I’m actually paying for each item of coverage. Most of it was pretty straightforward but since the balance due was going to dampen my summer months, with or without what used to be seasonal rains, I contacted the agent for a little clarification.
There wasn’t much that could be done but to save what amounted to a few dollars, although I questioned the amount for personal property loss, which includes the belongings inside the home. She explained the figure was 75% of the dwelling coverage. She informed me it could be adjusted to 50% or as low as 25%. She had no immediate formula to give a savings amount but she would get back with me within a week; she had a few days off or otherwise it would have been a day – two at the most.
One bit of information she gave me of her own accord had to do with sinkhole coverage. I could cut the overall bill in half if I were to accept loss of use. This would mean that if there were cracks in the foundation but not of such a degree to condemn the structure, I would be on my own to avoid further deterioration. A tempting idea but much too risky for me but not so for the insurance company, actuaries make sure a profit is theirs to be had.
(I felt it a mute point to discuss the claim-free discount on the policy because without it the rate would increase by more than 25%! Heaven forbid I should need to actually make use of the policy!)
So now I await an email from Lisa on what minuscule savings I might realize with a reduction in person property coverage.
So now I await a quote from Hector, from another insurance company that is still accepting applications from Hernando County homeowners, to find out how they can assist me in keeping my home a safe, and less expensive, place to live.
Besides, who needs a company whose name suggests it specializes in farms? Perhaps I’ll go with one that boasts a triple-A rating?
The only positive statement I can make is that the premium was but a few dollars more than the figure in 2007. My worst fear proved unwarranted; the 30% increase I had seen from 2006 to 2007 didn’t happen again. Thank you very much, Governor Crist, for keeping my rates from going down as you had promised; insurance companies not only reduced their risk by canceling policies along the coastlines of Florida but also kept the practice of profitability by being allowed to up my premium.
Information that had little effect on the premium included a coverage increase of $22.00 but there was also a rate change premium decrease of $35.00, which was good news of little importance. If not for a reduction in the assessment for Citizens Property Insurance losses by $80.52 I would have had an overall increase. How lucky can I get that this comes as a gift “due to an appropriation by the Florida Legislature”!
No one can predict what the assessment will be when the “big one” demolishes any portion of Florida. Last year it was 7.2% of the bill, now 2.5% (and 1% of my auto insurance). We’re still paying for the 2005 hurricane season; the next one may warrant a surcharge well into the next millennium.
So, I had to hawk the line-by-line charges to see what I’m actually paying for each item of coverage. Most of it was pretty straightforward but since the balance due was going to dampen my summer months, with or without what used to be seasonal rains, I contacted the agent for a little clarification.
There wasn’t much that could be done but to save what amounted to a few dollars, although I questioned the amount for personal property loss, which includes the belongings inside the home. She explained the figure was 75% of the dwelling coverage. She informed me it could be adjusted to 50% or as low as 25%. She had no immediate formula to give a savings amount but she would get back with me within a week; she had a few days off or otherwise it would have been a day – two at the most.
One bit of information she gave me of her own accord had to do with sinkhole coverage. I could cut the overall bill in half if I were to accept loss of use. This would mean that if there were cracks in the foundation but not of such a degree to condemn the structure, I would be on my own to avoid further deterioration. A tempting idea but much too risky for me but not so for the insurance company, actuaries make sure a profit is theirs to be had.
(I felt it a mute point to discuss the claim-free discount on the policy because without it the rate would increase by more than 25%! Heaven forbid I should need to actually make use of the policy!)
So now I await an email from Lisa on what minuscule savings I might realize with a reduction in person property coverage.
So now I await a quote from Hector, from another insurance company that is still accepting applications from Hernando County homeowners, to find out how they can assist me in keeping my home a safe, and less expensive, place to live.
Besides, who needs a company whose name suggests it specializes in farms? Perhaps I’ll go with one that boasts a triple-A rating?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Knock Knock
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.
“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.
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.
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