by David Smith
Given the fact that nobody is thrilled with the announced candidates
for next year's gubernatorial race, including me, might this race for
governor represent the best opportunity ever in modern Florida history
for a savvy, moderate Independent candidate, along the lines of what's
happened before in Connecticut and Minnesota, to win on a campaign
predicated on changing the dynamic of the culture of parochialism,
corruption and pay-for-play lobbying in Tallahassee and throughout
the state, esp. in Broward County?
Not to mention, the state's general backwardness and clumsiness
in dealing with international business and trade in a sophisticated
manner, despite all the international trips taken by governors, cabinet
members and county commissioners.
Remind me again, what year did MIA finally get rental luggage carts?
The first or second Clinton term?
That Florida trails many Northern states in solar and alternative energy
job creation ought to be embarrassing to the state's so-called leaders,
but seems to bother them not a whit.
But despite everyone perpetually whining about FP&L, it doesn't really
seem to be bothering Green voters in Florida enough to actually put
their own money where their mouth is to create actual working alternatives
that make sense and make a profit.
Where are the successful solar and alternative energy companies
in the Sunshine State?
Not anywhere around South Florida, otherwise, we'd all know the
names of them from the local media constantly lionizing them.
And seriously, what about the state's dated 1940's-era dependence
on sales taxes and real estate to keep the economy going, rather
than having.a broader-based technology-based economy that wasn't
so sensitive to changes in tourism trends?
What sort of strategy is always hoping that some out-of-state or foreign
entity will just magically drop-in and spend money, and will ignore the
fact that the state's poor schools actually repel many decison-makers
from even considering the state in general, or South Florida in particular?
Those people may come and visit on a trip, family or business, but
actually live here with their families? Are you kidding?
What kind of economic plan is hoping?
It sounds like farmers hoping for rain in Third World countries beset
by drought.
Like most of you, I hear media reports every so often about someone
in the state making general platitudes about changing that mentality
at some CoC speech in Orlando or Tampa or whatever, but where's
the action?
Where's an actual plan that you can look at online and judge for
yourself?
I'd love to see a governor's race on important issues like this, but
with the humorless and charisma-challenged characters we've got
so far, it doesn't look very good, which is a sad reflection of the
talent in the country's fourth-largest state.
That fact, conversely, helps create the vacuum for someone who
really will talk intelligently and enthusiastically about those issues
and lays out an intelligent, sensible plan for making the necessary
changes.
I'm one moderate Democrat who'd vote for that person, regardless
of party.
Right now, my 2010 gubernatorial vote is for None of the Above.
Adios!
http://www.hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.southbeachhoosier.blogspot.com/
Paula Dockery Announcing for Florida Governor Next Week
http://jaxpoliticsonline.com/2009/10/31/paula-dockery-announcing-for-governor-next-week/
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