Heads in the sand representatives

[rapunzel]

The whole system is so corrupted by money. From the lowest level of politics to the highest, the only measure of success is the amount of money raised. Reading about the recent Florida GOP credit card scandals has enlightened me about this whole class of middle men that make their living by siphoning ridiculous amounts of money off of the candidates (and their donors). From the first foray into politics, these people will tell you that it doesn't matter how much you work in support of a candidate the only way you can make a difference is to give money.

The implication of this emphasis on money is that the people are stupid, and are more apt to base their vote on marketing than unbiased reporting and knowledge of the candidate prior to the campaign.

At a resent conference, an honest if cynical consultant gave the prices of races in Florida -- the cost of a State House seat, a State Senate seat, Governor, etc. They start at $35,000. The candidate's leadership ability, positions on issues, and values may get a lot of lip service -- but his viability boils down to his ability to raise money. It's a sad commentary on our citizenry.

Of course, when candidates for statewide office hold meet and greets welcoming the general public few people bother to show up. The people that come to hear them speak are generally those who have already decided to support the candidate. We don't do our research, and then we rail against the broken government. We get the government we deserve.

 

[idlewind]

The Okaloosa Sheriff's race is a prime example of what is wrong with the system. Check out the donors for Morris and Ashley and see how many names are the same. You can look at any race in Okaloosa County and follow the same money. Qualifications and experience mean little to the money machine. It is all about who can deliver the goods.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I suggest you meet Mr. Pleat Mr or Ms Dominoes

David Pleat has a brilliant mind; he is a man of high integrity and is an independent thinker. Some legislators we know seem to vote along with the party and clearly lack the ability to think and act on their own. To say Pleat is a one issue candidate pure foolishness. All one needs to do is meet David to see his depth and strong grasp of the issues affecting Florida.

In fact, there is so much fear running the Republican dominated Legislature it is pathetic. There are some in power right here in North West Florida who use the words. 'If you want a seat at the table you'd better vote with us on this issue". They line up like lemmings and vote even on issues they don't really believe in; their heads firmly planted in the sand.

David Pleat has the courage to stand up and lead with conviction. David Pleat will win this race and for certain will be on the right side of issues that make sense for North West Florida.

Regarding oil,

Recent events such as April’s Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico and a pipeline spilling 18,000 gallons of oil in Louisiana’s Delta National Wildlife Refuge is all the evidence we need to show those legislators who Favor oil drilling Florida are clearly on the wrong side of this issue. This is clear proof accidents do happen and they can irretrievably affect Florida.

If that rig had been 3 miles off our coast North West Florida would be off the list of tourism destinations for a very long time and our environment would be, could be severely damaged. We will all watch and wait if the oil comes to shore. Southwest Airlines would, could pull the plug and the only jobs we would have is cleaning oil off our beaches.

One last point. You mentioned in an earlier post you would not be going to my restaurant or Charles Morgan's either. Myself and Charles Morgan stand up for what we believe in even if we might lose a few customers in the process. I have had fund raisers for both Republicans and Democrats; for people I believe are good leaders.

I don't really care if you ever grace the door of my restaurants. If I did care, my head would be in the sand too. I'd be happy to suggest some other great places to eat if you wish. I am proud of my beliefs; I live a life of empowerment not fear. It is empowerment that will change the world not fear. It is leadership and coalition building that makes government work not fear and intimidation. It is time Americans began to think like American's not just Republicans or Democrats. We need leaders who are problem solvers not obstructionists.

David Pleat is a true leader and as straight a shooter as anyone I have ever known. David is the kind of person who should run for office. I am proud to say this leader, this family man, this trial lawyer, this man of integrity has my vote. I suggest you meet him. It seems you would vote for Marti Coley but I guarantee you will be nothing but completely impressed when you finish a conversation with David Pleat.

Much like pro-drill candidates probably won't highlight that as part of their resume, it is not particularly popular to highlight a pro-trial bar record. The lions share of his donations are from trial attorneys, so using your logic on Ms. Coley he is much more in the pocket for trial attorneys than he is for drilling.

Thank you for getting me fired up to support Ms. Coley, I am going to be doubling my donation to her and will for now say goodbye. My next politics post will wait until Nov. when I can gloat over the fresh defeat of Mr. Pleat and the seating of House Majority leader John Boehner. You guys can keep telling yourselves that every one else agrees with you or is stupid. Lets see how that works out for you.

 

[30A Skunkape]

David Pleat has a brilliant mind; he is a man of high integrity and is an independent thinker. Some legislators we know seem to vote along with the party and clearly lack the ability to think and act on their own. To say Pleat is a one issue candidate pure foolishness. All one needs to do is meet David to see his depth and strong grasp of the issues affecting Florida.

In fact, there is so much fear running the Republican dominated Legislature it is pathetic. There are some in power right here in North West Florida who use the words. 'If you want a seat at the table you'd better vote with us on this issue". They line up like lemmings and vote even on issues they don't really believe in; their heads firmly planted in the sand.

David Pleat has the courage to stand up and lead with conviction. David Pleat will win this race and for certain will be on the right side of issues that make sense for North West Florida.

Regarding oil,

Recent events such as April?s Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico and a pipeline spilling 18,000 gallons of oil in Louisiana?s Delta National Wildlife Refuge is all the evidence we need to show those legislators who Favor oil drilling Florida are clearly on the wrong side of this issue. This is clear proof accidents do happen and they can irretrievably affect Florida.

If that rig had been 3 miles off our coast North West Florida would be off the list of tourism destinations for a very long time and our environment would be, could be severely damaged. We will all watch and wait if the oil comes to shore. Southwest Airlines would, could pull the plug and the only jobs we would have is cleaning oil off our beaches.

One last point. You mentioned in an earlier post you would not be going to my restaurant or Charles Morgan's either. Myself and Charles Morgan stand up for what we believe in even if we might lose a few customers in the process. I have had fund raisers for both Republicans and Democrats; for people I believe are good leaders.

I don't really care if you ever grace the door of my restaurants. If I did care, my head would be in the sand too. I'd be happy to suggest some other great places to eat if you wish. I am proud of my beliefs; I live a life of empowerment not fear. It is empowerment that will change the world not fear. It is leadership and coalition building that makes government work not fear and intimidation. It is time Americans began to think like American's not just Republicans or Democrats. We need leaders who are problem solvers not obstructionists.

David Pleat is a true leader and as straight a shooter as anyone I have ever known. David is the kind of person who should run for office. I am proud to say this leader, this family man, this trial lawyer, this man of integrity has my vote. I suggest you meet him. It seems you would vote for Marti Coley but I guarantee you will be nothing but completely impressed when you finish a conversation with David Pleat.

I do find it ironic that Dominoes advocates Americans improve their lot by grabbing the old boot straps and pulling hard (and there is nothing wrong with that philosophy as it works) but so willingly accepts Marti Coley, who clearly inherited the family business when her husband passed away and has been on auto pilot ever since. I hope David pushes her, presses her and makes her feel obligated to represent her constituents rather than being content to 'stay at the table' with the GOP big dogs. Her vote on oil last session is a slap in the face to her district.

 

[wrobert]

I do find it ironic that Dominoes advocates Americans improve their lot by grabbing the old boot straps and pulling hard (and there is nothing wrong with that philosophy as it works) but so willingly accepts Marti Coley, who clearly inherited the family business when her husband passed away and has been on auto pilot ever since. I hope David pushes her, presses her and makes her feel obligated to represent her constituents rather than being content to 'stay at the table' with the GOP big dogs. Her vote on oil last session is a slap in the face to her district.

Unless I am counting wrong, this is her last term. So after her re-election, two more years, then with redistricting you will see someone out of Bay County take the seat.

 

[Geo]

I'm sitting here worrying about the fate of our beaches. If the efforts to close the blowout valve are not successful they have to drill another well to stop the leak which could take months. This causes me to think of our elected officials. I believe that each and every one of them who did not come out against voting for oil should be required to visit our beaches twice- once now while they are still pristine. And once again after they are impacted by this tragic event ( if heaven forbid they are).

Any who refuse should have oily sand hand delivered to them. Perhaps this will convince the ones who said they weren't choosing a position yet because they were still researching the issue and educating themselves.

Curious what Cannon and Gaetz have to say about the spill.

 

[Gidget]

Unfortunately, I do think the Hands Across the Sand crowd and those alike will lead to a backing off of this issue. Maybe I am wrong, but when $6 a gallon gas comes, I think everyone will wish we had begun some exploration and drilling years earlier.

Not me - I welcome higher gas prices. It is the only thing that makes some really get it into their heads - oil is not a renewable resource and we need to conserve, think outside the box. Drive less, get public transportation, have less packaging (petroleum is used for more than fueling cars) I certainly don't want a loss to our environment and loss of life just to keep my gas prices under $5. But I think we can find SO MANY ways to conserve - we just have to all have the motivation.

I posted this on another thread but it is worth posting again:

In the story Here Today, Gone Tomorrow in On the Coast magazine(March/April edition) a couple of things really stood out:

• 85 million barrels of oil burned ever single day worldwide
• Most analysts predict that our oil supply will be exhausted in about 40 yrs
• US Dept of Interior has estimated that 3.88 billion barrels of oil can be recovered from FL's Gulf Coast waters; it sounds like a lot but in 2007 our country alone consumed 20.7 million barrels of oil every day - which means those 3.88 billion barrels offshore would provide a 187 day supply. IF the oil is released into the world market, it would last a meager 46 days.

So is the loss of human life and sea life worth a meager 46 days of oil? We HAVE to start looking at renewable resources.

David Pleat has my vote if he is on the same page regarding drilling off the coast of FL.

G

 

[beachFool]

David Pleat has my vote if he is on the same page regarding drilling off the coast of FL.

G

Rest assured he does.

 

[Jdarg]

David Pleat gets our vote because he will represent us- as South Walton residents. I am so tired of our end of the county being basically ignored in local government and schools- IMO (and many others), our local interests are not truly represented at the county or state level. It's about time somebody cares enough about us and thinks we matter. Does Marti Coley even know we exist and what issues are important to us in South Walton?

 

[30ashopper]

Not me - I welcome higher gas prices. It is the only thing that makes some really get it into their heads - oil is not a renewable resource and we need to conserve, think outside the box. Drive less, get public transportation, have less packaging (petroleum is used for more than fueling cars) I certainly don't want a loss to our environment and loss of life just to keep my gas prices under $5. But I think we can find SO MANY ways to conserve - we just have to all have the motivation.

I posted this on another thread but it is worth posting again:

In the story Here Today, Gone Tomorrow in On the Coast magazine(March/April edition) a couple of things really stood out:

• 85 million barrels of oil burned ever single day worldwide
• Most analysts predict that our oil supply will be exhausted in about 40 yrs
• US Dept of Interior has estimated that 3.88 billion barrels of oil can be recovered from FL's Gulf Coast waters; it sounds like a lot but in 2007 our country alone consumed 20.7 million barrels of oil every day - which means those 3.88 billion barrels offshore would provide a 187 day supply. IF the oil is released into the world market, it would last a meager 46 days.

So is the loss of human life and sea life worth a meager 46 days of oil? We HAVE to start looking at renewable resources.

David Pleat has my vote if he is on the same page regarding drilling off the coast of FL.

G

The destin dome is primarily a natural gas resource, not an oil resource. We don't necessarily have to tap into it now, as we currently have ample supply of natural gas from other sources. (The country actually exports excess natural gas.) But in time, as supplies dry up, we'll ultimately have to tap it. In preparation for that, we should be doing exploratory drilling to figure out where the resources are, basically long term planning for our future. I believe this is why Obama signed off on opening up new areas of the gulf for exploration.