Charlie Crist Vs. Rick Scott: What’s The Difference?

[Jim Burkiewicz]

In the coming weeks, Floridians as well as special interests will pump millions of dollars into the campaign accounts of these two. The thought of the political puppet masters will be to further divide the voters by playing upon the perception that there is really a significant difference between them. A look at their records is in order: Mr. Crist was Governor here from 2006-2010. During that time, he: • Signed into law the costly national ID card/driver license law- 19 other states governed by both Democrats and Republicans refused to do so for a variety of reasons. • Signed into law our red light camera law, which failed to reduce fatal crashes. The scheme makes millions for private industry and government, so it is difficult to fight. • Supported the federal “stimulus” spending program, which has added to our nation’s debt. • Accepted so-called “federal money” for the “Race To The Top” education program, which then made us subject to the Common Core (so-called) State Standards, which include data mining our kids for corporate America. • Oversaw a $4 billion increase in the state budget from 2009-2010, from $66 billion to $70 billion. Mr. Scott has been Governor here since 2010. During that time, he: • Signed into law the “pill mill” bill that requires citizens not suspected of any wrongdoing to enter private information into a state database that is then accessible without cause or a warrant. • Signed into law a septic tank inspection law that allowed government intrusion without cause onto private property- and then required them to foot the bill for the intrusion. • Failed to do anything at all to provide relief to citizens from the above laws signed by Mr. Crist. • In 2012 asked to give away nearly $400 million in tax money to private business (corporate welfare), which creates an unfair advantage for them. • Flip-flopped on federal intrusion for mandatory health insurance. • Wrongly suspended Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch for “official misconduct”. It took a jury less than an hour to see there was no wrongdoing. Anyone reading the complaint and the law could easily see that. • In 2013 proposed a $4 billion state budget increase, from $70 billion to $74 billion, which includes $256 million for more corporate welfare. • From 2008 to 2011, “federal aid” has increased in Florida from 27% to 36%. What will we do when those in DC realize we can’t just keep spending and printing money? The recent partial federal government shutdown should serve as a warning. These two are peas in a political pod. They exist to get re-elected, and there is no shortage of money flowing to them to this end. We’ve seen what Democrats and Republicans give us at the state and federal levels- less freedom, and more spending, despite what is promised on the campaign trail. When something has been tried and repeatedly fails, it is time to try something else. We’ve had the Democrats or Republicans in charge for decades. The solution: We must elect Libertarians to public office. Voters in Lee County did so for the Soil & Water Conservation Board. That board determined it was duplicating services offered by the private sector, and voted to abolish itself. The chair of that board was a Libertarian. We have a chance to elect a Libertarian for Florida’s Governor- Adrian Wyllie. We’ve seen what decades of D and R have given us. Let’s try something new, yet old- the idea of life, liberty, and the freedom to pursue your happiness without the current excessive government intrusion.

Paul Henry
Monticello, FL 32345