Crist: "I'm not a big-government fan"...as he awaits federal rescue for Florida.

[madfloridian]

It's amazing how all these "drown government in a bathtub" Republicans start squealing for the government to save them from their own incompetency.

Florida is drowning in its own attempts to cut the government's role in all areas of life....and they are eagerly waiting for the new Obama administration to rescue this state.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Crist counts on federal relief to rescue Florida

TALLAHASSEE - If Gov. Charlie Crist's wish comes true, Florida will enjoy a multibillion-dollar rush of federal dollars in the coming year -- staving off slash-and-burn budget cuts that could decimate schools, social services and other programs. In fact, Crist is taking the unorthodox step of drafting his 2009-10 budget in expectation that Congress will approve a massive stimulus package -- and even delaying its release until after the Feb. 16 deadline set by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for passage of the bill.

"I'm not a big-government fan, but there are times when government needs to help," said Crist, who has co-signed a letter to congressional leaders asking them to quickly pass a stimulus package that could exceed $800 billion.

"I am working with our friends in Washington . . . to really help Florida get her fair share," he said last week. "I believe that we will."

The utter irony of all this seems to be escaping this set of Florida Republicans. They are shameless in making clear they are eagerly awaiting this federal money.

Florida's constitution requires passage of a balanced budget. Without more federal money, Crist and legislators will have to either raise taxes or deeply slash education and health care to balance a projected $3.5 billion-and-growing budget deficit.

Crist is so optimistic the cash is coming that he has delayed presentation of his 2009-10 budget plan, normally due a month before the spring session starts, until two weeks before legislators go back to work. His budget staff is quietly banking on the federal relief but also has created contingency plans to cut spending and lay off more than 1,000 workers.

Charlie says give me the money or I lay off 1000.

[madfloridian]

1. A FL paper asked "who's running the state"

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/3471

"WHO'S RUNNING STATE GOVERNMENT?

DOT officials say that because the CSX money was appropriated by the Legislature in 2006 for the commuter line, hence, for CSX, it does not need the Legislature's approval to move forward with the project. That, of course, begs the question: Who, exactly, is running state government, and what happened to checks and balances?

It is outrageous that the state of Florida would allow teachers to be laid off, poor people to be denied access to health care and other support services, infrastructure to be neglected and universities to turn away qualified students while it has access to $795 million of unencumbered taxpayers' money. All because a company with deep pockets, a record profit, and an army of lobbyists and its patrons in the Legislature want to pay too much for a commuter-rail line that is not even guaranteed of being a success."

Answer: NOBODY

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Florida has handed the reign of power to the local level.

If the private sector thinks it can get a hold of public money, they'll step in and take over, but don't want any oversight.

[madfloridian]

2. A last kick for two-faced Charlie.

And the destruction of our state which is waiting for the federal government to save them. :shrug:

[raccoon]

3. What a dipshit Crist is. Rec'd.

"It's amazing how all these "drown government in a bathtub" Republicans start squealing for the government to save them from their own incompetency. "

You know that's right! :rolleyes:

[Demeter]

4. That's Not How the Money Is Allocated

There are strings attached. Crist will be very disappointed if he thinks the eagle will drop gold in his budget.

[nxylas]

5. I'd rather have a hypocrite than an idealogue as Governor

Our Governor, Mark Sanford, has refused federal funding that would bring much-needed financial help to our state because it conflicts with his libertarian ideology.

[hobbit709]

6. To the repukes irony is only a word

between idiot and irrational in the dictionary.

[kenfrequed]

7. What??!!!

"I am working with our friends in Washington . . . to really help Florida get her fair share," he said last week. "I believe that we will."

My state (Minnesota) has been paying in more federal taxes than spending expenditure dollars recieved for more than the last 25 years. Until we started putting idiotic conservatives in office we had a rational and thoughtful fiscal policy in place and our economy was usually rather decent.

I honestly think that Governer Crist should resign. Perhaps our governor Pawlenty can also do so and spare us all of his stupidity.

[Optimistic]

8. The Gov't should not throw Money around

But They should bail me out and subsidize me to the lifestyle I want to be accustomed to.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Is this going to be like the lotto where they send state tax dollars to

private school, and expect the fed to make up the difference?