Honorable Governor Christ
From your speech at the Republican Governors Association annual conference
"We have a fiscal responsibility to balance our state budgets and spend the people's money wisely. "
and
"Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders. This desire for inclusiveness is near and dear to my heart … ."
The debacle referred to as the special session of the legislature just ended proved one thing to the people of the state of Florida. The only thing that has changed is the rapidity with which legislators can rob us blind while tossing genuine solutions out the window.
I suspected that "inclusiveness" was not felt by many Florida citizens after this session. In fact some of the legislation moved so fast some have been heard to say, "it was done before the session even started." So much for government in the sunshine.
It would seem that ideology took precedence over common sense as the term "fiscal responsibility" took on some strange meanings.
A few glaring inconsistencies to illustrate that lack of fiscal responsibility exhibited by this legislature:
The legislatures resistance to gambling (the Seminole Indian Compact) in a state that allows gambling in many different forms including the state lottery. How much money will the state lose over legislators cutting of there noses to spite their face.
Funding for substance abuse treatment beds cut when the only alternative will be more expensive prison beds. Once on the cutting edge of Substance Abuse Treatment Florida, ignoring the economic benefits, has regressed to the "lock them up and throw away the key mentality" that has be proven ineffective so many times it is beyond belief that people still subscribe to the idea. Without treatment and overhauling of the states substance abuse laws you can be sure that we will spend more money on building prisons and hiring people to run them.
The fact that Florida's prison population ranks third in the nation, behind Texas and California and that the rate of incarceration has increased despite a drop in crime should be evidence enough that what we are doing is not working. Because it is not working it is costing us enormous amounts of money.
Inclusiveness? How much damage was done to the public trust as the legislature put many trust funds in jeopardy. During a time when the state press routinely publishes articles bemoaning the rising Motorcycle fatality rate, the legislature puts the Motorcycle Safety Fund up for grabs (40a). Cities violate state law by reducing running red lights to a civil infraction to get around the "red light law" and three years running Florida has refused to bite the bullet on cell phone legislation.
Are we to believe that it is not a cost effective expenditure of state money to reduce the carnage on the killing fields we refer to as Floridas public roadways? That were we able to do so insurance rates would come down, the burden on the court system would be relieved?
Not being a legislator it maybe I do not understand these things. However other non legislator citizens do not appear to get it either. So much for inclusiveness.
I would request that you call the legislature back and make them earn "their" money however they are part and parcel of the problem.
Therefor I humbly request you use the power of your office to strike out the insanity of what you have been presented with and restore the humanity. If a regular citizen can be of help in anyway please feel free to "include" this one.
Respectfully
rc
Patriot Guard Rider (PGR)
Bikers of Lessor Tolerance (B.O.L.T.)
Publisher, "Let Freedom Reign"
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/
You to can write the Gov. Here is his e-mail address
Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com
