I have voted for Senator Peadon in the past and will continue to do so in the future if he decides to run. Thanks for your opinion on the Senator that represents the north end of Walton County unfortunatly I cannot say many nice things about the Senator for South Walton. Most polititions will vote for whatever they beleave will get them re-elected and have very few ideals that they will stand behind. I am very jaded and do not trust polititions to do what is right. In this case I see the calling of the special session as a means for our good Governor to garner votes. There is a current ban on near shore drilling this will stay in place until the legislature changes the rules. If we keep on our Representatives than next year during the regular legislative session the amendment would be put on the ballot. Yes that means over a year wait to see the amendment but the rush now by the Governor just seems more like a political ploy to garner votes and be able to say he did something. To me it smells.
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Crist calls Special Session on Oil Spill
- Thread starter GoodWitch58
- Start date
GoodWitch58
Beach Fanatic
Well, I certainly understand the jaded part...politics and legislation is a messy business -- but, our system works better than many others and we certainly have more freedom in this country than many others, so I am not ready to give up on it yet.;-)
As far as Crist goes, I have often disagreed with his positions on things, but I have watched him serve Florida in many positions, and overall, his record is pretty good.
I especially like the way he has stood up to the special interests: the insurance lobby, the prison system; the education community in past years; the Republican Party machine; now, it seems he is ready to take on the oil industry special interests.
If you look at him over the years, the one common denominator has been when he is convinced something threatens the people of Florida, he will do something even if it goes against the "conventional wisdom" of the moment. I know that sounds like a political sound bite, but it does seem to be the truth in his case. He often has taken too long to come to the "right" decision IMO, but many times he has taken a stand.
As far as the Special Session goes, he may get some political gain from his stand and he may not. It is a very risky move. Without the Legislature on board, he can call the session, but he can't make them vote, so nothing may happen.
For me, it is important that he is taking a stand that is risky--the money will be worth the risk if he can get it done. A year is a very long time -- people's attention span is very short and who knows what might happen before then. Better to strike while the disaster is foremost in our mind.
And, so what if he gets political points--he will have earned them if he can pull this off. And, our beautiful Gulf Coast will have a better chance of surviving.
When it is all said and done, I do believe he loves Florida and has tried to do more good than harm to the state and its citizens. I wish he had had more vision about the oil drilling and done something sooner and while I do not agree with many of his policies or his principles, I do respect that he has some.
Can't say that for many of the other elected officials presently in this game.
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
I have mixed feelings about Crist, but overall I think he'd be 'ok' as our senator. His job in the capital has been a mixed bag. Property tax changes were a big plus for example, but on the flip side he's made worse the impending financial crisis brewing at citizens, and he's failed to use his veto pen often enough, both of which helped to balloon the state's spending. He tends to vote based on polls rather than principal, which is better than reps who fail to represent in their voting. I also wonder how influenced he'll be by special interests and his party's wishes. All-in-all, not the strongest leader we have seen in our state capital, but probably better than most.
Gidget
Beach Fanatic
If the session is about energy then why not think outside the box and teleconference the entire thing. I believe Glenda or Scooterbug said something along these lines.
Just play like we are all in different galaxies and that we have to share ideas and vote from a distance. Heck, you could do the entire darn thing on twitter or FB!
Just play like we are all in different galaxies and that we have to share ideas and vote from a distance. Heck, you could do the entire darn thing on twitter or FB!
First of all, Charlie doesn't have good sense as you say. He's an opportunist. The party doesn't want him so all of a sudden gained good sense and left them to run as an independent.