One word on the Florida races, which as I write, are all going Republican.

[The Backlash Cometh]

Democrats and left-leaning Independents will never get a hold of Florida until you expose the corruption in this State. You can't work with it, you can't become a part of it. You have to expose the so called community leaders who corrupt the system so the public understands exactly what they're voting for. That's the only way you're going to develop a mandate in this State.

To that effect, you would be better off putting your money on a news driven website, like Media Matters, that specializes on Florida issues. Money to hire true newspaper hounds would be better spent, than the millions of dollars on a candidate who can't beat the misinformation that spreads mouth to mouth.

It wouldn't be difficult to find stories. Go to the State Attorney Offices all over this state and look for the information they have been burying. The FEC too.

[librechik]

1. not just republicans

the most craven bunch of fake patriots ever

[DonCoquixote]

2. K and R

I will also add, we need to be prepared to scrap the Florida Democratic Party, the best friends the GOP ever had. They let Grayson rot to save their own asses. I also think we need to expose the so called "independents" in this state, who all so wanted that white boy Charlie to win.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. You want to take on the trial lawyers?

I'm wid that!

[barbtries]

4. you said "one word"

i thought it would be "FUCK."

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. You know, the day things turn in our favor, I will feel very wobbly in the knees

because I won't remember what "good" felt like.

[barbtries]

9. i'm not from florida,

visited once. my feeling is it was destroyed by the bushies. how far off am i? i do feel for the state.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. It began to fall apart in the mid eighties.

That's when a property rights movement began to sweep Central Florida which involved a few judges and lawyers. It was easy for them to get a hold because our wonderful Orlando Sentinel went mute on some very incredible abuses that took place in the area. Once the Cleo types (community leaders, elected officials) got a taste of unchallenged power, they never let go.

You wouldn't believe the shit that was tolerated. City Attorneys who were also presidents of the Chamber of Commerce. What was up with that? A high tolerance for corruption went on too long. Now you're going to have to send us your best newspaper researchers to set us back on the road to recovery.

[Dappleganger]

14. Have you a collection of blogs/online magazines which are good with that kind of research?

I do think that metrojacksonville.com shows good promise with their exposing the shit that goes on in Jacksonville. Going there does help me stay sane.

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Thanks for the link.

We need a metroCentralFlorida.com website.

The I-4 Corridor is ripe for this kind of digging.

[Dappleganger]

19. The level of discussion there tends to be expository

and deeper than most places, and I know they've been recognized for their format. Stephendare is one I respect quite a bit. Poke around there and let send me a note when you get a chance. I only read, pretty much. It does require contributors who are willing to dig in the muck, however.

[Dappleganger]

12. yes, but

there were huge problems here even before the bushies.

[Dappleganger]

5. But even if you expose the corruption...

there are so many who are part of (lobbyists, businesses and politicians) that they want to hold on to it even when it's exposed.

Rick Scott for chrissakes! Greer! Nobody on either side seems to give a damn about honesty and serving the people, first. Everybody has their hand in someone else's backpocket.

The AG is useless, too.

[Dappleganger]

7. THRASHER is the scab on top of this disease, btw.

Then trace he and all his buddies back to Jebbie--and it does indeed go back and forth across both aisles.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. You paint this State as a corrupt state, very difficult to make friends

and lasting relationships -- in other words, you tell the truth -- and you see what happens when people stop coming here for the weather.

People should be told about the repressive little enclaves that exist in this State, since it is going to effect your pursuit of happiness from cradle to grave.

[Dappleganger]

10. We've been here long enough to figure it out.

Which is why I am personally pushing every one of our kids out of here as soon as they are old enough. I really don't see much hope, at least today. Who in this state bears even a hint of leadership?

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. That's one thing I'm happy about.

I think I've succeeded in getting my offspring out of this state. I feel like I've been working in the mines, hoping for a better life for my children--somewhere else.

[Dappleganger]

16. What a picture...

like my grandfather pushing all of his kids to leave the cotton fields in the Delta for Memphis because there was no life there to be had for a young person.

[JCMach1]

15. 2002 all over again... boy does this suck

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. Yes. That's what it feels like.

[sixmile]

20. Scott is winning 51-46

Apparently you CAN buy an election. Maybe Meg Whitman should have paid attention this phony (she never even swindled taxpayers!).
We are in for a shitty ride.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. Do you have any idea what Scott is going to do to this state?

Jim Greer was nothing compared to what Scott's loose ethics are about to do to us. All the Florida insiders are salivating because he's going to be easy. Backroom deals are going to screw the rest of us out of our constitutional rights. It's going to be worse than a banana republic because the Repubs will be rubbing the flag in our face without realizing the incredible disconnect.

[HooptieWagon]

21. Geesh Louise! Who doesn't know about Scott's criminal fraud...

... and still the pukes are voting for him.

There are several issues that affect Florida... 1) The Florida Democratic Party is controlled by the DLCers, they work harder to defeat Progressives than they do Republicans. 2) The districts are heavily gerrymandered to favor the entrenched Rs and DLC Ds. The redistricting amendments have appeared to have passed, and may help to correct the problem... after, I assume, a lengthy legal battle. 3) As you mentioned, Florida politics are greatly corrupted, from the county level all the way to Tallahassee. It would take a team of special prosecutors appointed by the DOJ to come in and clean things up, and both the Florida Republican Party and Florida Dem Party will fight that tooth and nail... they are gonna fight to keep their spots at the corporate feed trough.

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. Government staff are neutered in Florida.

From the State Attorney's Office to the City and County staff, public servants are working for that pension and will tolerate a high degree of corruption in order to keep their jobs. From what I've seen, the mission isn't public service. The mission is protecting the government body from getting sued. They will lie and cheat in order to do it and are very well rewarded for it.

We need federal intervention.

[HooptieWagon]

24. I agree federal Intervention is needed...

But both Florida Parties are gonna fight it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. I know. What we need is a Democrat with a conscience to stand up and fight for us.

[HooptieWagon]

25. I agree federal intervention is needed...

But both Florida Parties are gonna fight it.

[flvegan]

27. Nope. I'd have agreed with you a few years ago.

Exposing corruption does nothing but elect new governors. I am, as of tonight, convinced. Somewhere between 45-55% of voters here are simply too fucking stupid to know what's best. They vote based on the letter next to the name and the ads they see. Know-nothing fuckwits.

Sorry. Maybe the anger is just too fresh right now.

[The Backlash Cometh]

28. If the truth affects the real estate market, they will change.

[DonCoquixote]

29. WAIT TILL THE INSURANCE GOES SKY HIGH

Thanks to gov scott and his belief we are too hard on insurance in this state, then the power bill, they can only blame so much on Obama