Posted on 01/23/2003 6:59:52 AM PST by Joe Brower
Jeb: the wrong man for the job
Waldo Proffitt
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Jan 19, 2003
THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR
Florida's Governor Jeb Bush is in the wrong line of work.
I know most Democrats have felt so for four years, but I have come to this opinion only after reading and re-reading his second inaugural address in as objective a mode as I can achieve, which is admittedly less than 100 percent.
Let me cite some excerpts: "Those of you who were here for the last inaugural may remember . . . my message that day. I said that government is not the answer; that we must build a life centered on faith, friends and family. Four years later, I am more convinced than ever that if we remain true to this focus our lives will be fulfilling and meaningful . . . .
"But without a caring society, without each citizen voluntarily accepting the weight of responsibility, government is destined to grow even larger, taking more of your money, burrowing deeper into your lives.
"Consider the mathematics of the tragedy: Each year in Florida, eighty thousand children are born without a father in the home. Each year, there are eighty-five thousand abortions. And each year, eighty thousand marriages are dissolved. Sadly, today, almost fifty thousand children are in the custody of the state, and hundreds of thousands more aren't receiving the child support they are due.
"In the past, our response has been to raise more taxes, grow more government, and embrace the thin fiction that if only we can hire one more social worker or complete one more form then we can somehow reverse these corrosive trends and salvage these lives. But while these intentions may be noble these methods are folly . . . .
"There would be no greater tribute to our maturity as a society than if we can make these buildings around us empty of workers; silent monuments to the time when government played a larger role than it deserved or could adequately fill."
From his words, it is clear that the governor doesn't like government and doesn't trust government. He believes government is the problem, not the solution.
Now I pass quickly over the fact that the governor distorts to the point of deception the views of most people who believe government is part of the solution.
Likewise, I pass quickly over billion-dollar-plus tax cuts by the Republican governor and Legislature and the refusal to act on proposals to narrow sales tax exemptions. There are those who argue this is part of a calculated strategy to starve state government so it will not be able to "waste" money on "people needs." I withhold judgment on the motives, but there is no doubt about the impact in a year when the Legislature will have to strain mightily to fund what even most Republicans consider essential services.
I do not make light of the importance of "faith, friends and family." The more they become central to our lives, the better we will be.
But, they fall far short of meeting the needs of Floridians who, for any of a dozen legitimate reasons, require immediate help. This should come as no surprise. I am unable to cite an example of any state of the United States or of any nation in the world which has been able to take care of its poor, sick, homeless, very young or very old by relying on voluntary efforts from the communities of faith, friends or family.
And it yearly grows less and less likely to happen because such a large portion of the need is for medical services -- doctors, hospitals, prescription drugs, home care -- and this is not even to mention dental or mental health care. Friends, family and communities of faith are not able to provide much medical care on a volunteer basis. It has to be paid for. You may simply write this off as not a proper use of public money.
I am not willing to do that.
There are dozens of nations in the industrialized world which more or less successfully take care of their less blessed citizens with well organized and supervised public programs. The plans are not perfect and they do cost money, which comes from taxes.
In these countries, citizens do complain, but when push comes to shove, they have preferred to pay the taxes and keep the system and concentrate on trying to improve it rather than to emasculate it.
I point out that the preamble to the Constitution names one of the purposes of government as "to promote the general welfare."
Those who have really given up on government as hopeless for meeting people needs are in the wrong line of work. They would be happier and more effective working for a church or synagogue, a charitable foundation, the Red Cross or Salvation Army, a food bank, blood bank, or a Senior Friendship Center, a homeless shelter, rape crisis center, or United Appeal. Or organizing massive fund-raising campaigns for private programs to pay for needed services for the less fortunate people of the world.
I do not say this sarcastically. A career is a terrible thing to waste.
People who are in control of their own fate should work at something they believe is really important and where they can make a difference.
That's a case where what is best for them is also best for everybody else.
Waldo Proffitt is the former editor of the Herald-Tribune.
Memo to Waldo: Rant all you want, you fat-faced socialist twit. All the democrat demagoguery and leftmedia spin couldn't stop the majority of Floridians from seeing through your lies and rhetoric. The people of Florida told you buggers what we think in no uncertain terms just this past November. Take another Valium, Waldo, stay at home, and for God's sake stay away from that typewriter!
Hey, Waldo!
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Pinging all concerned Floridians!
If you want to write a letter to the editor refuting this putz, the email address is "editor.letters@herald-trib.com".
Waldo doesn't give out any email or snail mail address to respond to him personally. Small wonder. I suppose the Postal Service doesn't deliver to his ivory tower.
I applaud him for the courage to stand up and publicly make this statement. It's refreshing, actually.
Oh Yeah??? Name one then. Maybe in your marxist idea of successful, but in most rational peoples' minds these people are probably drones of the state who are content living in squalor. What a moron.
"Promote;" not provide.
And all this is because of a Republican Governor? Hardly! Not when just about 95% of all Florida government agencies are run by Democrats who continue to thwart any and all attempts to clean them up. The FL Supremes are no bundle of violets either.............
Because taxes are too high.
Regards, Slim
I think they will be getting a letter from me soon. SO KNEEJERKY!
Scouts out! Cavalry Ho!
1. Too many babies, not enough daddies.
2. Too many drugs, not enough brains.
3. Gotta play the lottery, food and rent will have to wait.
4. I'm old and I want free prescription drugs and I want them now.
5. I'm part of The Greatest Generation, so piss on you.
6. I have a date, so I'll just leave my illegitimate babies with my crack-ho neighbor.
7. Greedy, evil plaintiff lawyers.
8. Miriam Oliphant needs millions of dollars to NOT do her job.
9. The solution to all our problems: Bigger and better Department of Children and Family Services!
10. The solution to all our problems, part two: Bigger and better educational bureucracy!
11. Illegal aliens. Millions of them.
12. More assholes like Waldo...
"In the past, our response has been to raise more taxes, grow more government, and embrace the thin fiction that if only we can hire one more social worker or complete one more form then we can somehow reverse these corrosive trends and salvage these lives. But while these intentions may be noble these methods are folly . . . .
"There would be no greater tribute to our maturity as a society than if we can make these buildings around us empty of workers; silent monuments to the time when government played a larger role than it deserved or could adequately fill."
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