Amendment 2: Frivolous distraction should be rejected

October 12, 2008

Our economy is in the tank. Floridians are losing homes and jobs in record numbers. Our standing in the world is kaput.

Recent columns

• Amendment 2: Frivolous distraction should be rejected

  October 12, 2008

  Our economy is in the tank. Floridians are losing homes and jobs in record numbers. Our standing in the world is kaput.

• Gov. Charlie Crist is tilting Florida Supreme Court too far to right

  October 10, 2008

  Gov. Charlie Crist has proved he is enamored of the radical right. His recent appointment of two right-wing ideologues to the Florida Supreme Court are dead wrong for blind justice, the court of last resort in the state and every man, woman and child here — and for generations to come.

• Court appointments: Crist pandering to Radical Right

  September 28, 2008

  Charlie Crist will be the most influential governor in the history of Florida.

• Blame this economic mess on Bush's war in Iraq

  September 26, 2008

  Most Americans, especially Floridians, are neuron-challenged. Too many of us can't hold two thoughts in mind at the same time. Perhaps, our abundant sunshine fries our synapses; perhaps, we choose the bliss of ignorance. Either way, unless we shake ourselves out of our coma, we'll dig our own graves.

• Jeb's legacy: Supreme Court deals blow to Bush puppets

  September 14, 2008

  On Wednesday, Sept.3, I was deliriously happy — finally. What turned out to be "Sock It to Jeb Bush Day" came after nine long, frustrating, disillusioning years. I still can't believe what happened.

• Employee Free Choice Act a good idea

  September 12, 2008

  When Kingsley Guy suggests he's for workers' rights and agrees with George McGovern on anything, one of them's smoking something. I don't know what's with McGovern, but the King allegedly trashes the "Employee Free Choice Act" because he says he wants to protect employees' right to vote in secret ballot on forming a union. Secret ballot, my foot.

• Electing John McCain in November is really about Supreme Court nominations

  August 29, 2008

  No Floridian can vote for John McCain. Everyone, but especially grudge-holding Hillary hold-outs, wake up: The November election is really about making two nominations to the Supreme Court.

• We've still got much ground to cover.

  April 9, 2008

  Where do two white men come off dueling about racism in Florida?

• The Governor Scores a Passing Grade

  January 6, 2008

  It's time to administer the FGAT (The Florida Governor's Assessment Test). Charlie Crist has been governor for exactly a year. He positioned himself as "the people's governor."

• Keep Church and State separate

  December 23, 2007

  Religion belongs in pews and in private - in people's hearts and minds.If the Almighty came down to Earth today, she'd be appalled at how Floridians have taken her name in vain. Feckless finaglers of faith have led genuine believers by the nose for too long for personal gain and power grabs. It's high time for Floridians to reject Bible-thumping piety, get religion out of politics, and to stop its being wielded as a wedge issue à la Karl Rove.

• There's trouble in paradise

  December 9, 2007

  Florida could/would/should be the best state, but here are 10 of the worst things sabotaging us:1. The world at home and abroad is crumbling, but most Floridians choose to hear no evil, see no evil - unless it affects their golf game.

• Caps on spending alone won't cut it.

  November 11, 2007

  In theory, for quick-fix, self-deluders who want to "starve the government beast," spending limits are the perfect complement to reducing taxes. They want to curb perceived excesses by elected officials by tying their hands - tight, after limiting the money they get in the first place.

• It's the right fix

  October 28, 2007

  A state income tax: I'm all for it! Recent proposals for tax relief have sizzled/fizzled only on raising sales tax and/or lowering property tax. But income tax is the fix that should be added to the mix, 'cause it would be repentance for two of Florida's sins.Sin 1: Shafting the middle class to enrich the rich. Florida gives a free pass to people making big bucks. Oo lah lah, it's hallelujah for pooh-bahs with moolah : they enjoy their real financial gain up-front without paying the state a penny on their disproportionately high disposable income.

• Leasing is no option at all

  October 14, 2007

  It's supposed to get us out of a jam, but it's really a scam: privatizing toll roads. One of these days, drivers everywhere in Florida may have to pay a Dubai-based company, or its equivalent, to cruise down our current toll roads. Everyone knows in his gut that it's un-American to privatize public highways.