Earlier this year, Morning in America noted* the polling data that showed Americans were disillusioned with their government. The Republicans had not lived up to their platform (reputation), and the Democrats were the beneficiaries of that disillusionment . The Democrats then lived down to their true priorities instead of up to their new found rhetoric. They quickly lost the confidence of the American people, and the Republican Party received a (cautious) second look. However, with that look came a new message “you’d better tow the line, or we’re not going to support you”. Americans were, and are definitive in what they want from their government.

The perspectives are very similar all over the country. “We the People” have concluded that we lean more to the right , than to the left. Obviously a New England Conservative will look different than a Texas conservative, who will look different from a California conservative. But again, more Americans describe themselves as “conservative” than they do “Liberal” or “progressive” in every state of the union. Every state including Massachusetts, California, and even Hawaii (hence Charles Djou). But there’s something different about this new assertion of conservatism. This brand proclaims “we’re mad as hell, and we aren’t taking anymore”.

Todays’ Conservatives range from the strict Constitutionalists (Libertarians, who would shut down all the social programs in America and let the unfortunate sink or swim on their own abilities) to the compassionate Conservatives who think there is a place for government to help the under-class to become more successful in their lives and experience the bounties of America. With a vast representation within those parameters, these conservatives have one issue that binds them together: the perspective that this nation is to have a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”.

Conservatives want representation in their government. They want those whom they elect to understand who they are: and represent their values, their perspectives in whatever body that politician has been elected to. The American people resent with vehemency a politician telling them what they want to hear, only to neglect their values as they govern. While they are eager to be respectful to the politician in honor of the office he holds, they resent that politician thinking more of himself than he should. It’s the office that gets the respect, the politician had better not consider himself to be some sort of quasi-aristocracy.

It’s the combination of all these principles that led to the results of the Florida primaries this week. The results show a repudiation of the “old guard” and a willingness to take a risk on new blood. Take for example, the Governors race. Here we have one on the most honorable men in Florida politics in Bill McCollum. He’s been honest, effective as the Attorney General, and a solid conservative. Unfortunately for him in his Gubernatorial run, he represented the “status quo” . That is not a hot commodity this year. Indeed Americans (including Floridians) – consider that quotient to be the problem. Floridians chose instead Rick Scott who, in spite of some questions about his business history; is perceived to understand voters’ concerns, their economic challenges, and more readily identifies with them. This is the principle that is key to winning conservatives- and the mid-term elections.

Because of the radical agenda of the Democrat Party (who, by the way voted for a strong supporter of the direction his party is taking the country) the Republican Party has this chance to win back the hearts and minds of the citizenry: but not by continuing with the same old assumption that people will vote for them just because they aren’t Democrats. The GOP should understand this: the people are mad as hell, and they really aren’t (no, they REALY AREN’T!) going to take whatever the political class offers them.

The difference between this conservative revival and those of the Reagan Revolution, or the Contract with America is those revivals were founded on one or several men leading the movement. This conservative revival is predicated on the uprising of the American people screaming to the political class “you’ve lost your way: find it or we’ll replace you”. Morning in America has been explaining this conservative perspective for nearly two years: while some in the political class will look on this revival with contempt and disdain, they’d better get on board. That is, if they want to keep their positions of leadership- and their jobs.

* http://www.jaxobserver.com/morninginamerica/2010/06/14/successful-republican-politicans/

http://www.jaxobserver.com/morninginamerica/2010/01/12/explaining-the-polling-data-part-two/

http://www.jaxobserver.com/morninginamerica/2010/01/10/explaining-the-polling-data/ )

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This is a call for all politicians to declare that they will repudiate card-check, even if they lose the November elections. This should be part of the discussions in this mid-term election season.

While the current flock of Democrats are in danger of losing their Princely positions in January, they have the ability to strike one last blow to Americanism and the safety of American workers. Morning in America has learned of their intention to pass a bastardization of voters rights on their way out the door. This, in the form of a process called “card-check”: a process more accurately describe by the term “sign your vote”.

There has been much ridicule of those who express concern over the card-check proposal. This is a process that decides whether or not employees choose a union to control it’s workforce, and dictate working environments. The problem with the process is that it requires employee signatures as a vote, instead of secret ballots. This is important because the unions are known to have “expectations with consequences” for voters. This is polity for a person risks harm to themselves or their families if they resist union takeovers. While unions push for the law to allow this form of voting instead of secret ballots, (and over-sight by the National Labor Relations Board) they publicly ridicule the idea as hysteria and fear-mongering. With the violent implications, the issue is anything but humorous.

While this seems to many, a benign subject, it is actually a strong indicator of how corrupt, how anti-American, the unions have become. It’s interesting to note that Karl Marx was known to support and work through trade unions using the same type of violence and rhetoric we are seeing today. The Democrat Party has incorporated the availability of that violence into their Party’s standard procedures. It’s reasonable to say that “violence” is the most valuable commodity the unions supply to the Democrat Party; which is now more evident since the neutering of A.C.O.R.N. this past year.

In fact, I’ve not seen so much violence commissioned by politicians against citizens who disagree with them since I was a small child watching the freedom marches on black and white television. Today, the Democrats are using the unions to commit similar violence against those who would stand against their Socialist policies. This, in my opinion, illustrates just how far down the Marxist Road their Party and the unions have traveled together. This is the Democrat Party’s’ one true success: they’ve illustrated to the nation that they are in fact; more aligned with Mr. Marx than Mr. Jefferson.

Evidences of that assertions’ accuracy are:

-Representative Maxine Waters declaring that the companies that don’t do what Democrats want, “will be taken over”.

-Congressman Alcie Hastings declaration that “there are no rules here, we’re trying to accomplish something”. In context: a repudiation of the course of law and the authority of the U.S. Constitution

-Congressman Pete Stark explaining that the urine in an embarrassing situation garners more respect from him than a citizen with the audacity to disagree with him.

-The same Pete Stark expresses a desire to allow illegal aliens continue to flow through our borders, and even resents Americans exercising their right to patrol those borders themselves.

-Again Congressman Stark admitting to California voters that, in his opinion, the Constitution can’t stop the Democrat politicians from “doing whatever they want”.

-Congressman Alan Graysons’ attempt to have a citizen arrested for creating a web-site that opposes him and his policies.

Add to these the documented violence and intimidation tactics committed against the American people over the past year and a half, and you have a valid case that the Democrat Party is anything but interested in defending the Constitution, (and therefore would have little concern for the fairness of card-check legislation). The Party has accomplished much to clarify they are more a domestic enemy than fellow Americans.

While every election is important, this one carries the distinction of being a referendum on the trend towards Marxism and violence commissioned by a government against it’s citizens. The one thing Democrats illustrated as they held the majority in Washington for the past four years is that: while the Republican Party isn’t perfect; it’s demonstratively better than the dictatorial propensities of the Democrats: again with the unions serving as their muscle.

Before they leave their offices in January, there is a real danger for American workers as those outgoing Democrats pay their debt to their goon-squads: after all: what if they focussed that violence on them. . .

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There are strange things happening in the last few hours. One almost suspects they’ve entered the Twilight Zone. The only thing missing is Rod Serling and his smoldering cigarette.

After nearly two years of absolute solidarity between Obama and the Democrats in Congress, those Democrats are now postulating they are in contention with the Administration. The tactic is obviously to create the perception that Obama is the enemy and the Democrats are frustrated with his policies. The very policies they vociferously and violently defended; and passed over those past two years..

We even have Democrats fighting with Obamas’ Press Secretary, and Arizona Democrats complaining about border security, (imagine that, after all the accusations of racism and hatred). The Democrats are suddenly at odds with the Administration. This is yet another attempt to play the American people as rubes.

After three years of telling the American people that their concerns aren’t important: after the violent assaults, the vehement insults, and even hate crimes committed against Americans who disagree with Democrats. After Claire McCaskill scolded us with her “mom voice”; after Pete Stark told us in no uncertain terms that he had more respect for his urine than he did voters who disagree with him, we got the message: “Voters should shut up and let us Democrats do what we want”. NOW they posture as if they are one of us and we should understand that they are fighting for us? Why? IT’S TIME TO GET RE ELECTED!

Once again Democrats illustrate that they think you, the average American is stupid. They have lost their minds. They truly expect us to fall for this rope a dope! It’s not going to happen.

Democrats have abused their offices, and more importantly; the American people. All of their political tricks aren’t going to help them this time. Here’s the response to their newest insult:

“In January you will be unemployed”.

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Dear Japan,

We are happy that we’ve put the war behind us. After nearly 69 years we’ve agreed to let ‘by-gones’ be ‘by-gones’. In the next few days a man who thinks he represents America will enter your country and apologise for our aggressive attack on your country: he speaks for himself, not the majority of our country.

We are happy that you emulate us, and have formulated a wonderful symbiotic relationship with our gracious and forgiving people. We recommend that you learn this dynamic from our society as well. Let me be momentarily plain: “you attacked us, and we kicked your butts for doing so. You should stop whining, and accept your recompense, and our willingness to forgive you.” You might also be thankful that we’d not yet developed the hydrogen bomb.

You see, your attack on our country was initiated without a formal declaration of war, and was therefore most dishonorable. We have an idiom in America that says “you started it, we finished it”. The inference is that you initiated something that you were unable to complete successfully. Your weakness was you own liability, not ours. The American people as a whole DO NOT apologise, but we do forgive you.

What we DO apologise for is this silly little man with an bad case of narcissism. We would be grateful if you would feed him whatever it was that caused George HW Bush that embarrassing incident back in 1992.

Your gracious friend,
America

PS; the man apologising has been a big disappointment to our country as a whole. What would you charge us to keep him there?

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Morning in America is a blog focused on the challenges to, and promises of Americas’ future. Part of that responsibility is to focus on improvement opportunities of politics itself. Locally there is a primary race for the Third Congressional District now represented by Corrine Brown.

Congresswoman Brown has basked in the perception that she is unbeatable, and has even convinced some local power brokers of that premise. One can imagine the resentment of Republicans when their own former-leaders bowed at the throne of this (mis) perception. Today, the seat looks very attainable, and many believe this year is the best opportunity to remove both Brown, as well as the court-ordered mandate that this district be gerrymandered to garner the votes of black citizens for a black candidate.

In the midst of this exciting moment in history has become a scandal of sorts with one of the candidates. It appears that this scandal includes issues such as misappropriation of funds, (not a legal accusation, but a valid perception) and some quick two-stepping to cover up the issue. To make matters worse, and more insulting is the fact that the incident took place in the name of “God and Country”. Americans by-nature despise those who take advantage of the weak or the naïve, and more especially when the advantage is taken by a politician who says “trust me, I’m a Christian”.

While I personally have levels of friendships with those involved, they must understand that the election is more important than their candidacies, or their approbations. To remain true to the determination to be a straight-shooter, dedicated to the conservative principles enunciated by the Republican party platform; Morning in America postulates that it’s time for Chris Nwasike to come forward with an explanation, or remove himself from the primary for this Congressional seat.

Instead of re-hashing the issue here in the public domain, I have spoken with the parties involved in this local issue and have come to the personal conclusion that there is a strong appearance of a politician taking advantage of a naïve young man who was more trusting than prudent, then threatening him if he makes a public issue of that mistreatment. This is exactly the type of politician Americans are tired of dealing with.

Gone are the days when silver-tongues can tickle our ears and gain our votes. The time and the day has come when character counts: especially within the Republican Party. If an inexperienced candidate makes a mistake, we; realizing how convoluted election laws have become, can overlook some unintended faux pas, but intentions are so very important when determining the the character of a person whom one doesn’t know personally.

There are those who counter that a person is innocent until proven guilty: I agree, but I also understand that character isn’t always a legal issue. It is, however, a factor in deciding who best represents a constituency, a political party, and leads a Country. When a politician leaves distrust and discord in his wake, it’s a good indication that politician has character issues. When one leaves that impression, then is caught in a scandal where the innocent-minded are taken advantage of: it illustrates that person isn’t what the re-focused Republican Party stands for.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed: “I have a dream today, where a man is judged not by the color if his skin, but by the content of his character.” That day has arrived.

The window of opportunity is nearly closed. Candidate Chris Nwasike needs to offer a valid explanation of his activities, or he should resign from his bid for the Third Congressional seat. The new day has dawned where veracity and transparency is a requirement for representing the American people to it’s government.

The last thing America needs is another crooked politician.

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Watching the news with the understanding that Obama is looking for some way to bring up his approval numbers, I see his “reaching out” to Republicans to help him finance our troops on the ground in Afghanistan as another political trick. This is obviously an attempt to make him look more centrist than his Marxist reality.

Democrats are attempting to make Obama look more hawkish. If anything, this makes him look weaker, and the Democrats look more greedy and anti-American. Here we have a White House and a Party that can get whatever they want. They’ve spent that ability creating more debt in 1 year than the entire debt of the country accumulated over 200 years. It’s like the hoodlums found your credit cards and engaged in the worlds greatest shopping spree!

Now, when the money is needed to keep our promise to the Afghanis who put their lives in danger because they trusted America, and now that our troops need food, medical attention, and yes, bullets: the Democrats want to poor-mouth our friends as well as our sons and daughters while they are in harms way.

This attempt to make Obama look strong is more illustrative of the fact that Democrats can’t do much of anything besides intimidate citizens and spend our money on their frivolities. Republicans should explain “We’re here in support of the troops in Afghanistan, the Democrats are MIA”. “Elect us in November, and we will insure that our kids aren’t threatened to be deserted on the battlefield ever again.”

It might even behove the new Republican Congress to promise a law called the “Battlefield Protection Law”. Stipulating that anytime troops are in hostile arenas, the previous years budget is automatically law until a new budget can be agreed upon, and becomes law.

Republicans should make Obamas weakness now, a part of the mid-term campaigns.

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Now that the mid-term elections are approaching, we see Obama launching a “goodwill tour” trying to re-gain his political edge. In fact the defence of his attempts at oligarchy are “Hey! It coulda been worse!” We agree. We could have had a situation where the Republicans tucked in their tails and fell in line behind the Democrats and their Marxist agenda. Frankly Obama, we’re not buying your proposition.

As it stands, we have a situation where the differences between the Partys’ and their vision for America have never been more stark. We have unabashed Marxism (now called Progressive) on the left and a return to the basic principles of the Constitution on the right. The results are obvious. Marxism has exacerbated what should have been a normal cyclical slowdown in the economy; to what has been the worse financial situation in America since the 1930′s. All because of Democrat policies and a Marxist in the White House.

The issues aren’t just fiscal either. We have a Party, and it’s President in the White House attempting to re-ignite the racial tensions of the mid twentieth century. Some say to galvanize that demographic within it’s base, others say because the Party has never ceased to be racist. Still others say Obama has been a racist based on religious fervor from the beginning.

We have a Party who is attempting to take the nation backwards: fiscally, socially, and internationally. We have Democrats insulting, endangering, and ill-equipping the military. To a degree that troop suicides are at an all-time high.

We have Americans being intimidated in a way unseen since pre-World War II Germany to squelch their voices. Morning in America has documented this fact with scores of videos and accounts of violence and intimidation tactics by the Democrat goon squad: the Service Employees International Union. As early as last week we have current videos of violence against Americans with the audacity to stand against Marxism. It seems the Alinsky Playbook has become the playbook for the Democrat Party. This is right out of the history pages as Russia, Poland, China, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Germany fell to their knees at the feet of Marxism.

We not only have double-digit unemployment (some would argue that number, but only after they remove those who’ve stopped filing claims in discouragement over the job-market), increased taxes, and a Democrat Congress willing to treat themselves to every benefit they can justify on the books. Doing so in arrogance, and with impunity: for now. Exotic trips to Iceland, rafting down the Colorado River, more golf than Tiger Woods and a bar-tab for one Congressman alone adding up to a quarter-million dollars in less than two years! One can almost hear the Democrats say of average American: “Let them eat cake”.

Fiscal irresponsibility, attempts to reignite race riots, the degradation of the U.S. military, over indulgence, violence against American citizens, and a refusal to perform the duties required by the U.S. Constitution. Imagine a government that commits hate crimes and violence against it’s own citizens, then refuses to defend them on international borders. Democrats have MORE concern over making sure illegal invaders are coddled and defended than they are protecting the rights of those being assaulted by those illegals.

Imagine a President who won’t allow terrorists to be convicted for interfering with a national election, but will go out of his way to insult a police force for securing a citizens home. THEN imagine that President attempting to stop a state for exercising it’s Tenth Amendment right to protect itself when that President refuses to perform the duties of his office.

We have a President who caused the destruction of an entire Eco-systems by his inactivity, and obstruction of pro-active clean up efforts along the Gulf Coast. Some say he did this in an attempt to protect union jobs, others say that he wanted the catastrophe to escalate so he could ride in as the saviour and take credit for returning the environment to normal. Morning in America opines that it’s a combination of the two, plus the opportunity to exacerbate the situation to gain political advantages over a demographic that would/will most certainly vote against him and Democrats in the next two election cycles. Suppress their incomes and you can out-spend them in the elections.

All of this irresponsibility, this attempt to use Marxist tactics on the American people, the gross incompetence and Obama has the temerity to look the American people in the eye and proclaim he isn’t responsible because “it coulda been worse”?

How? Policemen marching in the streets to intimidate peaceful Americans? By a Congressmen falsely accusing citizens of using racial slurs against him to gain political advantage? By Congressmen telling citizens that they have more respect for their own urine than for those they are elected to represent? By Congressmen assaulting and battering college kids for asking reasonable questions? Maybe it could be worse if we have the United States President encouraging even more violence? But wait! We’ve already endured these things as well! Frankly, I think the Democrats have committed all they can against the American people without having violent uprisings. It could be worse, but only if America was perched against the side of a rumbling Mt. Vesuvius, or we had Marxist tanks rolling down our Main Streets with red-colored flags flying brashly over their turrets. With these stipulations, Morning in America agrees; it could be worse.

But we see things getting better. The Republican politicians are listening to, and heeding the concerns of Americans: conservative Democrats, Independents, and their own voting base. Those who refuse to do so are going the way of the dodo-bird. Americans are waking up with conservative representatives in Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, over 100 new Republicans in Virginia. . . and the national mood determined to turn around this Democrat mess in less than 100 days.

Americans are listening to the common sense remedies for medical coverage, fiscal sanity, immigration legislation, and a repudiation of the violence and policies of the Progressive Marxist. All presented by the Republican Party.

Americans Message to Obama is “things can’t get much worse, but in 99 days things will begin to get better. That sir, is a promise”.

-There is a faint glimmer on the horizon. It will soon be Morning in America,

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“Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.”

This was the clarion call from Patriot Patrick Henry before the Continental Congress March 23, 1775. Morning in America would like to say that it is not surprised that the current Administration has taken on the attributes of an Oligarchy. When one realizes that the Administration has come into power with as much baggage as this one; one can reasonably say that it was expected. Indeed, some political commentators accurately predicted this very result.

History warned us that the political environment would become caustic and violent when Marxist gain control of a government. It is estimated that 6- 8 million people died as a result of Marxism under Lenin. Another 20 million under Stalin. Marxism in China is responsible for 40 million deaths between 1949 and 1976 when the population revolted.

Marxist Germany was responsible for some 55 million deaths between 1937 and 1945. With another 2.1 million during the German expulsion 1945—1947. Korea: There are still no totals from that debacle because the “Glorious Leader” hides such statistics. The last count was 2.8 million deaths. Add Vietnam, The Sudan, the Cambodian killing fields, the Mexican Revolution of the 1900′s, the Spanish Civil War. . . Example after example. It is reasonable to conclude that one of the hallmarks of Marxism is violence.

What makes one think the Marxism of the “Progressives” would be any different? The violence against Americans at Town hall meetings was just a taste of the violence of the Chrystal Night that the Fascist still celebrate today. All in the name of peace and equality. It’s been a lie from the beginning.

In one year this country has seen more political violence initiated by Obama supporters than any time in the past 50 years of American history. It’s ironic that the last time we saw this level of hatred by Democrats was in the civil rights push of the mid-twentieth century. All in the name of being “Progressive”.

To this day, we see violence committed by the SEIU and other unions against American citizens. All in the attempt to support Obama and the Democrat legislation. History warned us, but America was so concerned with illustrating just how far she had come since those last days of violence that they elected the Party of that violence in sincere ignorance.

Once again, we must remember our roots, the struggles and the determination of the American people at the founding of the greatest nation the world has ever seen. With that determination we must stand in the face of the intimidation, the violence and the attempts to bring this nation under the destructive principles that have caused the deaths of more than 149 million people. Common sense tells us to stand against this aggression. Humanity demands it.

Providentially, our nation has a safety net to prevent the easy over-throw of it’s government. Americans have more rights to intercede in the direction of the country than any other in world history. The Constitution, the Bill of Rights that are specified, the right to vote every two years to impute the will of the people back into it’s leadership. This mid-term election is about the acceptance or the repudiation of Marxism- make no mistake about that fact. The Marxist policies, the violence commissioned against American citizens: ALL THE HALLMARKS OF THAT VERY FACT.

It’s time for Americans to stand against those who think our votes give them the right to dominate us. The answer is to re-create the balance of power in the nations’ Capital. While there is a Democrat in the Presidency, the Congress should be Republican. The answer isn’t perfect, but it’s reasonable, and will be effectual. Every Democrat in Congress should be replaced by a Republican. Every Republican that doesn’t know which side of the aisle he/she sits should be replaced by one who will.

With the founding fathers we say:

“I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before us is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous defense of liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past,

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.

These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it?”

We are a hardy breed, with hardy roots. We will utilize our greatest weapon on November 2, 2010.

November cometh.

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As the city and the unions come to another short term agreement, I wonder when our city will face the 900 pound gorilla in the room. Jacksonville’s financial challenge isn’t the retirement fund, but the environment that continually makes Jacksonville a wasted opportunity. Don’t get me wrong. I love this town, but the combination of pride, poverty, and presumption have hindered this city of achieving the greatness that is her potential.

Jacksonville has many a wasteful element in it’s budget. Some are encompassed in pride, some in greed, some in over-reaching compassion: none of which are acceptable.

Take , for example; the Mayors pride in the fact that Jacksonville has the largest park system owned by a city in the world. This is a proud proclamation, but the mayor, his minions and the city accountants should remember the advice of Benjamin Franklin:

“Fond pride of dress, is sure a very curse;
E’er fancy you consult, consult your purse.”

The tenacity to hold this land; land that causes funds to drip like a leaky faucet, is an exercise in pride of ownership, but it’s an extravagance that the city can ill-afford. I find the threat of laying off the most honorable of our society, to hoard what cannot be afforded to be short-sighted and naive. The Mayor would retort that Jacksonville must improve itself if it’s to attract business to offer better employment opportunities. This is true, but he’s trying to put lipstick on a pig if he thinks city-owned tractors mowing little used fields of grass are the standards which corporations use to judge a city.

Growing corporations aren’t looking for the place where they can relax- they’re looking for the place they can grow. Growing businesses want to build- they want a place that’s going to be less about benevolence and more about effective productivity and profit. While businesses often acknowledge they have opportunities to make their successes value-added socially; one has to remember that the ability to be benevolent is the result of the profit from which the benevolence originates.

Businesses are interested in locations with people who match their employment needs. If a city has under-educated ruffians, then the the city will attract blue-collar businesses- if it attracts any at all. If the city has a more educated population, then the more technical and white collar businesses will choose that city.

No business wants to join a city with high crime, an under educated workforce, and daunting fiscal challenges. They understand that they will have higher costs, lower productivity efficiencies, and will become the “cash cow” after the lucrative tax breaks sunset.

For a city to have lower crime rates, there must be a strong focus on the reduction of criminal elements: both reactive and preventative. In my opinion, Sheriff John Rutherford and State Attorney Angela Corey have sent a strong message that “crime doesn’t pay in Jacksonville”. This dynamic duo have worked together for the past seventeen months and the results are evident- even in an economic downturn.

While the city and it’s leadership understands that “Prevention” is vital to perpetuating low crime rates- I think the city has become extravagantly benevolent in it’s approach.

For example; the propensity to take poor children, put them in new buildings, and “show the parents how they should live” is counter-productive. This sets the bar too high for some of the mothers. Mothers who quite school when they birthed the children that the city now fosters. Anyone can get into a clean new place and look good until it begins to disintegrate.

Instead the city should use existing facilities, clean them up; keep them clean, and teach the children and young parents that it isn’t the possessions that create pride and self respect, but that the possessions are a by-product of those qualities. Give these young families an example of something that’s reasonably attainable. Give them something that will help them from the inside out.

Any parent who affords the fostering of their child should be considered a ward of the city. That means drug tests, home inspections, and employment are mandatory to accessing those services. The goal of the benevolence is to lower crime rates and improve the quality of citizenry in Jacksonville: THEN the corporations will look to our city with approval: even without the tax breaks.

City employees should realize that the piggy bank has a hole in the bottom of it. The money has been spent- and because they too are voters, they are just as responsible for that fact as well as their neighbors and the politicians who spent the money that was to finance their retirements. Because they are just as responsible, they are also responsible to bare some of the ramifications. Instead of retiring and collecting benefits after twenty years of service, they should be willing to wait until they are of retirement age like everyone else. I personally don’t know of any corporation that pays vested retirement benefits to their employees before retirement age. Nor do I know of any corporations who retire a person, rehire that person, then pay them double benefits when they retire the second time. Again, Benjamin Franklin noted: “Poverty wants some things, Luxury many things, Avarice all things”. Enough is as good as a feast, and one retirement from the city is “Enough”.

Jacksonville residents have the greatest responsibility. No longer can they vote for the person who will drain the kitty into their neighborhood. They must look at the fiscal results of their representatives- and award them with another term, or bring them back to the neighborhoods as former representatives based on their ability to balance the City Budget. One vote counts, and that vote comes with the responsibility to cast it intelligently.

Jacksonville has many strengths, and many weaknesses. We have copious amounts of natural and human resources that could make her bold and successful. But she needs a new direction. A direction that balances industry with leisure, circumspection with ideology, and frugality with pride. We are in need of a new direction, and new leadership.

We can no longer afford the luxury of pretense. Until we:

- improve our fiscal situation,
-decrease the percentage of those taking instead of giving,
-improve the results of our schools,
-and balance our assets with our resources;

this will be the city of “missed opportunities”.

Our Mayor, our Leadership, and the unions that work with them can either drain the well dry, or work to make her the most financially stable place to live in America.

The issue isn’t the parks, it’s not the amenities: but rather the safety and well-being of those who are value-added to the community: those who pay the taxes that are being squandered. Only after these issues are satisfied should Jacksonville look for ways to increase her benevolent activities , and her aesthetics.

When we accomplish these goals, the Fire and Police Retirement funds won’t be a problem.

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