Comments for Florida 2010: Election Watch

Comment on Newcomer Lori Halbert raises more money than incumbent John Tobia by Joe Pishgar

Joe Pishgar — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Lori Halbert didn’t raise $58,804. Lori comes from money, and at the onset of her campaign, she gave her campaign a loan of $50,000. Check out the campaign contributions database at the Florida State Elections website to see.

Additionally, even though Crowley is still listed on the Supervisor of Elections website, he was 1) A Republican plant and 2) Arrest for child molestation before dropping off the planet.

Comment on Dueling columns: Tobia and Halbert by Joe Pishgar

Joe Pishgar — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:05:02 +0000

Hello there!

The duel was actually fought three ways! I had an opportunity to respond to Tobia’s article about health care reform as well, and clarified some of the misinformation. You can find that article at the Florida Today website at this link – http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100407/COLUMNISTS0205/100406020/1138/OPINION/Health%20reform%20at%20last

Additionally, Lori Halbert is off on her figures regarding how much the Republican legislature voted (unanimously I might add) to raise taxes. The final total came to $2.4 billion, not $2.0. Having read her article, I do find it mildly implausible that she would have voted against the tax hikes, considering every single Republican member of the Florida House and Senate voted for them, despite many having signed a tax pledge not to do so.

Warm Regards,
Joe Pishgar

Comment on Debbie Mayfield’s Biggest Donor: I Didn’t See It Coming by Chris Barry OD

Chris Barry OD — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:43:05 +0000

Dear Brett Williams,
I practice in Washington state. You might be interested to know that when authority to prescribe oral medications was granted optometry here about 7 years ago or so, my fees did not go up. Your article states that they will. Not clear why this would be the case in Florida when it has not been in the rest of the states. This effort has very little to do with raising fees. It has a lot to do with an expanding population of senior patients who have more frequent need of all sorts of medical care to include eye care. Couple that with and under supply of docs precipitated by the boomer docs retiring with the boomer patients, and you have a problem. A relatively static number of ophthalmologists is enjoying a monopoly on an expanding patient pool. And they are making an unprecedented amount of money in their monopoly position. Optometric physicians are well trained in the use of oral medications. They are licensed to use such in all states except Florida and maybe one other. The reason Optometric physicians are not so licensed in Florida is because the Florida Ophthalmology lobby is very powerful. And they want to keep their monopoly. And that becomes untenable as the demographics shift.

Comment on Facebook’s role in debate over Senate Bill 6 by Nate

Nate — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:34:59 +0000

I generally base all of my political decisions, not to mention learn all pertinent political news, from Facebook and the News Feed. Good work, Fitz.

Comment on Video: Cannon responds to Obama’s offshore oil drilling plans by SethPlatt

SethPlatt — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:10:26 +0000

Off Shore Oil Rig EXPLODES Off Coast of LA…Safe Huh?

Over a million gallons of Fuel spilled.
The Oil Industry continually tells us that Off Shore Oil Drilling Is Safe.
In Florida Right-Wingnut Legislators Dean Cannon and Mike Haridopolos want to put Oil Rigs 3 Miles off White Sand Beaches, and within 1 mile of aquatic preserves.
Some people just don’t get it.
I Hope this is …a HUGE Wake-up call to this entire debate.
It costs about $5 a barrel to extract oil in the Middle East.
about $4 per barrel (excluding taxes) in Africa
about $8.30 per barrel in Canada;
for the U.S. $6.83/barrel
It costs about $64 a barrel to produce it Off Shore in America.
If current market price is $80 a barrel, You do the math and tell me if that profit margin is worth destroying coastal waters.
America needs to invest in Sustainable Renewable Energy Sources.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/21/louisiana-oil-rig-explosi_n_545652.html?show_comment_id=45168290#comment_45168290,sb=911420,b=facebook

Comment on SB-6 divides Republicans in FL-Sen 10 race by Storms’ relationship with private education interests longstanding, broad « Florida 2010: Election Watch

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:48:03 +0000

[...] previous post on Senate Bill 6 noted that Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Tampa) voted for it, along with the majority of [...]

Comment on A politician does something right? The story behind special-needs legislation by Special Dad

Special Dad — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 03:19:34 +0000

We should be extremely proud of leaders like Rep. Dorothy Hukill who are willing to listen to their constituents and willing to protect the vulnerable. It appears that Rep. John Legg has been unresponsive to this process of democracy. This just hurts the image of all those who are truly sent to Tallahassee to represent us.

Comment on A politician does something right? The story behind special-needs legislation by Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:45:09 +0000

Thank you for posting this – it’s so good to hear about a politician doing something just because it’s the right and honorable thing to do.

Comment on A politician does something right? The story behind special-needs legislation by Howard

Howard — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:59:15 +0000

Rep Hukill did do the right thing standing up for the powerless children who are being abused in our schools. HOWEVER – the Bill that she presented was not voted on by the House Committee – Rep. Legg (Chair of the Committee) struck all of the language in the Bill and had it rewritten – It now provides little to no protection for our children.

Congratulations to Rep Hukill – Shame on Rep Legg – He makes all of the Florida politicians look bad. If this is politics as usual then we need to change that. Rep Legg you have betrayed the families and children of Florida.

Comment on A politician does something right? The story behind special-needs legislation by Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:57:38 +0000

Rep Legg should be ashamed of himself. I will make it my business to make certain that everyone learn what he has done. SIMPLY SHAMEFUL!