Author: floridagal

I don’t think Florida’s Senator Bill Nelson is really prepared for how they will be going after him in his 2006 run.   He has been pretty much moderate in his votes,  with a 52% approval rating among Republicans and only 47% among Democrats.   I don’t think he is aware of how the playing field has changed so quickly.  

The attacks are more vicious than ever, and he may have to get out of his play nice mode in order to win.    I am not sure he will be able to do that.   The GOP will never let Katherine Harris run against him, and the rumbles are already starting for her to step down.   Whoever they run against him will appeal to more Republicans than Nelson does……so he is NOT going to win by going right.  He just is not.   He needs to be prepared to stand up and fight and say who he is.  

The latest which is just overboard in its outrageousness is this:

SNIP.”But even Nelson was caught off guard when told a Republican group was questioning whether he would be easy on sexual predators simply because he appeared with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in historically black Eatonville.

After the appearance, the National Republican Senatorial Committee posted items on its Web site asking “Nelson Campaigns With Obama — Does He Agree With Obama’s Record Of Lenience On Sexual Predators?” and “Does Nelson Agree With Obama’s Refusal To Support Commonsense Measures To Keep Children Safe?” The site then listed votes Obama made as a state senator on issues like sex offenders, pornography and adult businesses near schools.”

Nelson Takes Early Blows

Nelson’s response to this interview was an off-guard one, and I am sure he was shocked completely at being attacked for appearing with Obama.   He needs to be prepared for stuff like that coming at him here.   His answer shows he was misreading and underestimating them:

“Anybody who would suggest that one senator should not appear with another because that senator is African-American, then those comments themselves are un-American,” Nelson said.”

That was not the gist of the attack,  and he was off-guard.  

Many of us have a feeling because of some under the radar things that have happened that perhaps the state party now might be inclined to not extend the welcome mat to controversial party leaders.   I think that is a mistake.    Nelson does not have a choice except to fight back as hard as he can, and to let anyone who wants to help him come here.  

I may be reading it wrong, but I don’t think so.  

Go for it, Nelson.  Don’t let them intimidate.   They are not going to play nice this time at all.

One paragraph from the DLC’s newest article caught my eye.  Al From and Bruce Reed just have this so wrong.

They were just as wrong when they wanted to pursue military action in Iraq.  They are wrong today.

9/11 was not a military failure, it was failure of our government to protect us in a domestic way.  This is a long article, but one paragraph stands out.

There are some thing I agree with it, but the emphasis on the military turns me off.  Another quote:

Here is the link:

How America can win again

It’s all about the meaning of “blight”…eminent domain.

Previously I posted about how quietly using CRAs, Community Redevelopment Agencies, has given states the power of eminent domain over areas they deem to be “blighted.” Our city has four areas under the control of such agencies, and they get to decide what is blighted.  It is an awesome power.

My previous post about eminent domain and CRAs.

I found more on this subject today.   It explains how Florida, for one, can claim to have laws in place to protect against seizure of property under eminent domain…..the catch is they limit it to “blight”.   And they get to define what “blight” is.    Blight can be anything developers want it to be in Florida.  

States move to blunt effect of Supreme Court eminent-domain ruling

CHICAGO — “Alarmed by the prospect of local governments seizing homes and turning the property over to developers, lawmakers in at least half the states are rushing to blunt last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding the power of eminent domain.”

“In Texas and California, legislators have proposed constitutional amendments to bar government from taking private property for economic development. Politicians in Alabama, South Dakota and Virginia likewise hope to curtail government’s ability to condemn land.”
“The Constitution says governments cannot take private property for public use without “just compensation.” Governments have traditionally used their eminent domain authority to build roads, reservoirs and other public projects. But for decades, the court has been expanding the definition of public use, allowing cities to employ eminent domain to eliminate blight.  Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, South Carolina and Washington already forbid the taking of private property for economic development except to eliminate blight. Other states either expressly allow private property to be taken for private economic purposes or have not spoken clearly on the question.”

“Illinois state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, a Republican who is considering a run for governor, said the state’s blight laws need to be more restrictive.

“The statutory definition of blight in Illinois is broader than the Mississippi River at its mouth,” he said. “They have taken everything from underdeveloped lakefront property to open green-grass farmfields as being defined as blighted.”

I hate that I quoted a Republican on this, but he is right.  Senator Bill Nelson is trying for a bill to limit its use as well.  But it still all comes down to the definition of “blight.”  That is going to be the catch.

The best definition I found of “blighted” is this:
“Affected by blight–anything that mars, or prevents growth or prosperity”

I found this website from Fernandino Beach, Florida.  It is a presentation of their attempt to define blight, and there are many pictures there of what is considered such.   Some do not look like blight to me.  
Determining Blight, with photos

Community Redevelopment Agencies appear to have the power of domain in the areas they have determined to be under their authority.  I did a google, and they are all over Florida and in other states as well.  

There was an editorial in our paper this morning about eminent domain proceedings in Hollywood, Florida against a Bank of America parking lot and a small, family-owned business. A developer wants to build a 15 story condo.   The Republicans who control everything here have been saying not to worry, there are laws.   This shows there is not much to prevent it.  

I realize cities have been doing this for a long time in various forms, but I am now seeing how they do it many times.   This editorial pointed out something important in this one paragraph:

“How can the city condemn the property and take it without the owner’s consent? It’s in a Community Redevelopment Agency district. In that case, the city can condemn it and pay the courtdetermined land value, along with attorney’s fees, to the owner.”

Editorial today about eminent domain:

Trampling Rights for Progress

SNIP…”When the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that a governmental agency could condemn property of an unwilling seller for the purpose of turning it over to a private developer to help the cause of “economic development,” Florida officials said not to worry — there are state laws to protect Floridians from such high-handed practices.
Evidently, the Hollywood City Commission hasn’t gotten the word.”
More about CRA’s, which apparently are nationwide.  

More about local CRA’s

“What is a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)?
A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a dependent taxing district established by City government for the purpose of carrying out redevelopment activities that include reducing or eliminating blight, improving the tax base, and encouraging public and private investments in the CRA. The City Commission is the official Community Redevelopment Agency for Lakeland.

Why create a CRA?
CRAs are created to assist local municipalities in pursuing redevelopment in targeted areas that are characterized by blight and disinvestment. By establishing a CRA, local governments are given a financial and planning mechanism by which to redevelop areas where private market forces aren’t working.”  And they have the power of eminent domian, apparently.

One city is modernizing downtown by having this agency “quietly” buy up lands they might want in the future.  

Downtown Land to be Revamped

They stress it is blighted area.   I also checked out their other districts of control, and they are not all blighted.   Some parts include historical districts with lovely homes kept beautifully.

SNIP…“The CRA in the past several months has quietly purchased about 80 percent of the land at what officials say is fair-market prices. No public announcements were made, “because we didn’t want to create a speculative market,” said Tamara Sakagawa, a city planner.”

More from the article:
SNIP…”The project is the brainchild of the LDDA and the city’s Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency. It will be funded through the sale of bonds. The CRA has budgeted $7.8 million to purchase the land and demolish the buildings that now sit on 59 parcels of property — 10 apartment buildings, with an average of eight units each, and 52 single-family homes, duplexes and rooming houses. The property acquisition costs should be about $6 million.” END QUOTE

I did a search of other CRA’s in our city.   I live in an area of lovely old historic homes, which recently was officially declared an Historical Residential District.   Our area is not listed under CRA, but one area that is listed has a comment that chills me.   They have total authority over these areas.

The CRA is in control.

QUOTE: “The Board will seek to balance the preservation of historic resources with the desire for redevelopment in a way that benefits the entire district.”

In other words they decide whether these homes, many of which are almost 100 years old, stay or go to developers.   And it is all in place in our city now.  For years developers and those friendly to them have taken over our city and county commissions.  Now it is all coming together for them.

Another bad week for Bush in our local paper.   The worm keeps turning here.   I posted some other weeks elsewhere.  I am amazed how people are waking up in this conservative area of the state.  Sometimes it is nice just to post something that feels good.  

President lied to the people: War was a mistake,

“I am a former Marine, a Vietnam veteran, and I fully support our troops in the operation they are facing. That does not mean that I have to support the reasons given by a president who lied to the American people and then continues to rationalize the decision to attack a sovereign nation by placing us in constant fear of terrorism.”

“Will we face further attacks? I’m afraid so. Should I be expected to live in fear? Absolutely not! We sent our young men and women into a conflict that was decided upon by the most powerful man in America. We all believed, based on what we were told that this was a decision that had to be made. What happened to the facts that got in the way of Bush’s desire to put his name in the history books?

As I told my children, this debacle will surpass Vietnam as the biggest mistake our country has ever made. These infidels, or, as Bush wants to refer to them as, terrorists, will continue to annihilate each other long after we’ve left because this is their heritage. To them it’s a religious holy war that has gone on for centuries and will continue to do so.”

Another today: Scroll down
George W. Bush is clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed

“George W. Bush is clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he has learned one thing well from some past presidents. Stonewall ’em!

Unless and until he levels with the American public with regard to Iraq he will not have the support of the majority of the public. In his latest speech he still tries to leave the impression that 9/11 was the cause for going into Iraq. That is after it was weapons of mass destruction.

The Democrats are saying the Downing Street memo and other documents provide proof that George W. Bush committed impeachable offenses in taking the United States to war in Iraq. But hardly a word has been reported. Has Bush muzzled the news media? I think the American people have a right to know the facts. And not just a blip on page 28 or 37! Bush took us to war on false pretense. Spelled out, he lied to the American public. He wants to be recorded in history as a “war president.” Whatever it takes Stonewall ’em!”

And one more from today for good measure:
Wacky liberal notions

“A letter recently complained about the “wacky left” and the “liberal media” — a common point of view these days. It’s interesting how these ideas have become so embedded when the facts are not supportive.

Every significant piece of legislation during the past century has been proposed and supported by liberals and fought by conservatives — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, environmental support, fair housing, anti-discrimination, are examples that come to mind.”

I know for sure one of these people is a die-hard Republican, so it makes me feel better to see 3 letters in one day like this.  

And it is really not covered much in the news, at least not in the sense of public money being given to private faith-based schools.

It involves the new Florida Pre-K program, and the fact that about 200,000 students will be involved.  I have many qualms about my tax money going to private religious schools.  

They can teach them anything in my name, with my money, to vulnerable little 4 or 5 year olds, and I don’t like it.  The Floridians who voted for the Pre-K did not mean for it to be funded this way.  And the worst part is they know it is being questioned for not being constitutional.  

Here is one of the few articles I could find that address the issue.  

Faith in Pre-K Plan at Issue

“As they crafted Florida’s free pre-kindergarten program last year, lawmakers were largely silent on one potential hang-up: Their plan may be unconstitutional.

The problem is that Florida lawmakers rather than relying on public schools as other states have done opted to offer public money for 4-year-olds to attend religious schools.”
“That’s the very issue the Florida Supreme Court will rule on in the coming months in a separate lawsuit. Florida’s constitution says: “No revenue of the state shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.”

SNIP….”Voters in 2002 ordered lawmakers to provide a free and voluntary pre-K plan for the upcoming school year. Other states implementing such a plan have relied heavily on public schools for the program.
But Florida, already facing a multi-billion dollar mandate to limit class sizes, opted to instead pay for 4-year-olds to attend private and faith-based schools.

Such use of taxpayer money is at the center of a Florida Supreme Court hearing Tuesday when the state defends the “opportunity scholarship program,” or OSP. Those vouchers provide public money for students who are at failing public schools to attend private or religious schools.”

An aside: I have not seen the ruling from this month at all, not a word about it.

Only about 700 children receive the vouchers.
That pales next to the state’s prediction that the majority of up to 200,000 4-year-olds are expected to attend faith-based schools as part of the pre-K program…”

I find myself wondering if this issue would receive proper coverage if Jeb were not who is he. I see it is no issue nationally, and most articles in Florida papers fail to address the constitutionality question at all.

Something a certain person said last year after they ended their presidential run has really stuck with me, as I also believe a government  has a responsibility to its people.  

We live in a Robin Hood world. I don’t find what you call Robin Hood objectionable … the question is how much Robin Hood.”
— Howard Dean, speaking in Rockland County about school aid reform (Albany Times Union, 12/3/04)

From what I understand, the federal government is turning the financing of Medicaid over to the states.   This is in addition to the huge amount each state must send in to the Federal government for the new Medicare bill which starts in 2006.  

Perhaps we should remember this is happening in part because of the tax cuts and tax shelters for the wealthiest among us.  These are only 3 states in my diary, there are others in which it is occurring right now:  Pennsylvania, Texas,  Mississippi.   Still others.  

A New and Heavy Burden: Missouri and Medicaid
A New and Heavy Burden

“Tim…has neuroblastoma, a cancer that strikes young cells that were destined to become part of the body’s nervous system.  Tammy’s health insurance from her cashier’s job at Moser’s Discount Foods in Columbia covers only part of the treatment. The family’s Medicaid benefits cover most of the remaining costs, which sometimes total $5,500 a month. But those benefits could soon end.

The Missouri legislature, responding to a proposal by Gov. Matt Blunt, is cutting 90,000 Missourians from Medicaid rolls and reducing benefits for many more. Tim and his family might or might not be among them. They’ve found getting a straight answer is not always easy.

TennCare: A Ripple Effect (and a human face on it)

TennCare under attack

“For two years, Brenda Derryberry, 61, has been glad to pay TennCare $600 a month for health insurance, including co-pays for medicine.”
“She has a serious heart condition, diabetes and a bad back, among other ailments, and she takes 21 different prescription drugs a day. The medicine alone would cost her $1,000 a month without insurance.

She is among 67,000 ”uninsurable adults” on the TennCare rolls, at least for now. The state said it is cutting those folks to help rein in the program’s staggering costs of $8.7 billion a year. Unless Derryberry can qualify as a ”medically needy” enrollee, she appears certain to lose her insurance. And the ”medically needy” category is no sure thing. A federal court will ultimately decide the TennCare fate of those 97,000 adults.”

And of course in Jeb’s Florida, another heartless cut.  
Mentally ill face Medicaid cuts, AHCA limits drugs prescribed

Taking the Mentally ill off their prescriptions

“Zoloft, Paxil, Zyprexa.

These pills commonly taken for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disease did not make the recommended list of prescription drugs available to the 2.2 million Floridians on Medicaid.

Because of legislation passed this spring, Medicaid patients with mental illnesses for the first time are subject to limits on which medications they can be prescribed.”

That same former candidate also said:

The Republicans are the reverse Robin Hood party — steal from the poor and give to the rich —

And that is happening right now.