The leader of a tiny church in Gainsville Fl backed off his threat to burn the Quran, saying he gave up the plan in exchange for a deal to move a planned Islamic center and mosque away from New York's ground zero. The imam planning the center, however, quickly denied any such deal.
Apparently an agreement was made for Rev. Terry Jones to fly to NYC to meet with the imam that is planning on building the mosque on the grounds once home to the Twin Towers.
This event of burning the Quran has created a hornets nest of controversy across the globe. Request from the White House to local leaders to back down on the scheduled event were ignored. Jones, the pastor of a Florida Pentecostal church of 50 members, has said that he believes the Quran is evil because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.
The confusion on this matter is that his intention of burning was because of his thinking of the Quran being bad, yet he was open to a deal to move the mosque to a different location. My take on this is that he had no intention do burn the Quran and was focused on gaining some free publicity.
One thing he did prove is that there is a double standard in America. If you are a non American, you are protected under the freedom of religion, but if you are an American, you are not protected under freedom of speech.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A look on the local side, Manatee County, Fl
Aside from the fact that Floridians have chosen the true conservative to represent them in the general, local elections are all over the place. Let's take a look at some of the races and candidates in Manatee County Florida.
Perhaps what intrigues me more about local elections is that many go into local races with low net value and many get rich quick. Sounds a little suspicious, but the facts don't lie. Is it because you have inside information that could benefit yourself or others at a profit?
One area that has always interested me was the school board races as I have younger children that at one time were in local public schools. Fortunately, we have the resources to send them to private now as my opinion on the local district are unfavorable.
This year, we seen three districts out of five up for grabs. A long term SB member was retiring and had two very different candidates step up to run. District 5 board member Walter Miller is retiring from the Manatee School District. He has held this position since 1998. Walter, thank you for your service and enjoy retirement.
Two candidates stepped up to the plate, Independent Conservative Karen Carpenter and once Democrat, changed to Republican one week before announcing Jennifer Radebach. This particular race was somewhat close (2000 votes) seeing Jennifer jumped into the campaign late.
Karen gained my support because she has exceptional educational success and maintained an independent voice in a race that was non partisan. Additionally, Radebach has been questioned on her residence and party affiliation. I believe she would of came out the winner if she would of been more honest on several statements.
District 1 seen David Bailey trying for a third time to unseat long term double dipper Barbara Harvey. This race was also interesting because there were approximately 2000 more recorded votes on this particular race than any other in the county. Harvey has been in this position for 12 years and it looks like we will be stuck with her for another four more.
District 3 is not without controversy. Incumbent Jane Philsticker appears to be a one topic candidate, but yet promised to only run one time. This race had two stepping to the plate to challenge Jane, Julie Anaribar and Reverend Al Yusko. The race ended in a run off with Anarabar leading the pack, Jane in second and Yusko with an impressive 9000 votes.
In this race, Julie is the clear choice to take this seat. Jane has promised to be a one term candidate only, she broke this promise, Jane appear to have a lot on her plate away from the SB including a new start up of importing rum. With all her outside distractions, how can she focus on the children and district?
Additionally, Janes financial statements appear to be questionable. Her reported donations appear weak based on how much she should of spent. She did a county wide mailer and the cost is not cheap. More to come.....
Next week, County Commission...
Perhaps what intrigues me more about local elections is that many go into local races with low net value and many get rich quick. Sounds a little suspicious, but the facts don't lie. Is it because you have inside information that could benefit yourself or others at a profit?
One area that has always interested me was the school board races as I have younger children that at one time were in local public schools. Fortunately, we have the resources to send them to private now as my opinion on the local district are unfavorable.
This year, we seen three districts out of five up for grabs. A long term SB member was retiring and had two very different candidates step up to run. District 5 board member Walter Miller is retiring from the Manatee School District. He has held this position since 1998. Walter, thank you for your service and enjoy retirement.
Two candidates stepped up to the plate, Independent Conservative Karen Carpenter and once Democrat, changed to Republican one week before announcing Jennifer Radebach. This particular race was somewhat close (2000 votes) seeing Jennifer jumped into the campaign late.
Karen gained my support because she has exceptional educational success and maintained an independent voice in a race that was non partisan. Additionally, Radebach has been questioned on her residence and party affiliation. I believe she would of came out the winner if she would of been more honest on several statements.
District 1 seen David Bailey trying for a third time to unseat long term double dipper Barbara Harvey. This race was also interesting because there were approximately 2000 more recorded votes on this particular race than any other in the county. Harvey has been in this position for 12 years and it looks like we will be stuck with her for another four more.
District 3 is not without controversy. Incumbent Jane Philsticker appears to be a one topic candidate, but yet promised to only run one time. This race had two stepping to the plate to challenge Jane, Julie Anaribar and Reverend Al Yusko. The race ended in a run off with Anarabar leading the pack, Jane in second and Yusko with an impressive 9000 votes.
In this race, Julie is the clear choice to take this seat. Jane has promised to be a one term candidate only, she broke this promise, Jane appear to have a lot on her plate away from the SB including a new start up of importing rum. With all her outside distractions, how can she focus on the children and district?
Additionally, Janes financial statements appear to be questionable. Her reported donations appear weak based on how much she should of spent. She did a county wide mailer and the cost is not cheap. More to come.....
Next week, County Commission...
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Primary is over, now to victory!
Congratulations to Rick Scott for winning the Florida primary! This victory was possible because people are sick and tired of the same old stuff and are looking for leaders that can provide solutions.
Grass roots was why Rick won. A dedicated team of volunteers across Florida along with his staff made this happen. A little pat on my back as Manatee County Florida was taken decisively. The REC, local papers, Tea Party and anyone with an audience endorsed McCollum.
After almost knocking on 5000 doors, sign waiving and talking to hundreds about Rick, we cleaned house! Off to a November victory.
Grass roots was why Rick won. A dedicated team of volunteers across Florida along with his staff made this happen. A little pat on my back as Manatee County Florida was taken decisively. The REC, local papers, Tea Party and anyone with an audience endorsed McCollum.
After almost knocking on 5000 doors, sign waiving and talking to hundreds about Rick, we cleaned house! Off to a November victory.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Reason #1 why not to vote for Flip Flop McCollum
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum's recommendation of an "expert" witness to defend the state law banning gay adoption has become a big embarrassment for the would-be Republican governor. The witness, George Rekers, hired a gay male escort to accompany him on a two-week European vacation. The state of Florida doubled his pay to 120K with the approval of McCollum.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Why Florida could see a D next to the Governors name
Those of you that are following the Governor’s race in the State of Florida know it has been a race full of mud slinging. The dirtiest ads are coming from Attorney General Bill McCollum campaign. I’m not saying the Scott group hasn’t put a few in there, but Bill’s group is spreading false information.
Let’s look at the facts:
Rick Scott, self funded campaign has projected him into the spotlight as the outsider with no ties to special interest. His ads portray McCollum as an insider (he is) and ties to some out there that have committed criminal acts (Greer) and strong ties to special interest (US Sugar, TECO, Progress, FPL and a long list of special interest. Additionally, McCollum has been protecting Greer as well as Renker, an ally of McCollum’s anti gay campaign that later was caught traveling Europe with his paid gay page.
Bill McCollum also just started to get into “get tough on immigration mode” by only reacting to the polls. Bill opposed the Arizona law, then supported it, then opposed it. Sorry Bill, you had 30 years in elected positions to do something and now it is an issue. Where were you four years ago when the Minutemen came into focus?
All McCollum can say is HCA Columbia scandal. Once again Bill, you have beat a dead dog. The response was made in May about this issue, yet all you can say is HCA Columbia.
Floridians have a chance Aug 24th to say no to politics as usual, say no to Bill. If you fail to, it will be your fault that the next Governor could be an open border, liberal big spender by the name of Sink. Fact is, McCollum cannot beat Sink in the General, Rick Scott can!
Let’s look at the facts:
Rick Scott, self funded campaign has projected him into the spotlight as the outsider with no ties to special interest. His ads portray McCollum as an insider (he is) and ties to some out there that have committed criminal acts (Greer) and strong ties to special interest (US Sugar, TECO, Progress, FPL and a long list of special interest. Additionally, McCollum has been protecting Greer as well as Renker, an ally of McCollum’s anti gay campaign that later was caught traveling Europe with his paid gay page.
Bill McCollum also just started to get into “get tough on immigration mode” by only reacting to the polls. Bill opposed the Arizona law, then supported it, then opposed it. Sorry Bill, you had 30 years in elected positions to do something and now it is an issue. Where were you four years ago when the Minutemen came into focus?
All McCollum can say is HCA Columbia scandal. Once again Bill, you have beat a dead dog. The response was made in May about this issue, yet all you can say is HCA Columbia.
Floridians have a chance Aug 24th to say no to politics as usual, say no to Bill. If you fail to, it will be your fault that the next Governor could be an open border, liberal big spender by the name of Sink. Fact is, McCollum cannot beat Sink in the General, Rick Scott can!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Bill McCollum, he owes he owes, so off to special favors he goes.
Six months ago, things were looking good for Florida’s Attorney General, Bill McCollum to be Florida’s next Governor. A lot has changed since then and now Bill is looking at the possibility of retirement. This outsider with deep pockets jumped into the race in a self funded campaign, businessman Rick Scott. When Rick first announced in April of 2010, he was running positive introductions across the airwaves until the McCollum insiders noticed that Bill now has a formidable challenger.
All was about to change in his bid for Governor. Bill’s heavily financed campaign from Tallahassee’s political inside crowd was being threatened by an outsider that will clean up the corruption throughout the state. Now Bill was encouraging his big money supporters to funnel money into 527’s, agencies that intentionally put a negative attack spin on opposing candidates.
Names like TECO, FPL, Progress Energy and other s with a vested interest in having the door open to the Governors office were pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into these 527’s. Who could blame them, there was a lot at stake including the possibility that if Scott is the next Governor, they might have to justify raising their rates instead of the “automatic” increase every time they take our elected officials out to lunch.
Then there is the multi billion dollar deal that RINO Charlie Crist struck with US Sugar. Rick Scott signed a pledge that the taxpayers will not be stuck with this insider deal. Fact is, McCollum owe them a big favor. U.S. Sugar handed $680,000 over to Bill McCollum for his campaign. And that’s just the money we know about.
The list goes on, a vote for McCollum is a vote for more of the same insider actions, increased fees and taxes and continued job loss. Support Rick and “Let’s get to work”.
All was about to change in his bid for Governor. Bill’s heavily financed campaign from Tallahassee’s political inside crowd was being threatened by an outsider that will clean up the corruption throughout the state. Now Bill was encouraging his big money supporters to funnel money into 527’s, agencies that intentionally put a negative attack spin on opposing candidates.
Names like TECO, FPL, Progress Energy and other s with a vested interest in having the door open to the Governors office were pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into these 527’s. Who could blame them, there was a lot at stake including the possibility that if Scott is the next Governor, they might have to justify raising their rates instead of the “automatic” increase every time they take our elected officials out to lunch.
Then there is the multi billion dollar deal that RINO Charlie Crist struck with US Sugar. Rick Scott signed a pledge that the taxpayers will not be stuck with this insider deal. Fact is, McCollum owe them a big favor. U.S. Sugar handed $680,000 over to Bill McCollum for his campaign. And that’s just the money we know about.
The list goes on, a vote for McCollum is a vote for more of the same insider actions, increased fees and taxes and continued job loss. Support Rick and “Let’s get to work”.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Flip Flop Bill McCollum does it again
It is amazing when you have a person that claims to be a "career public servant" that has the personality of a spoiled child running for Governor of Florida. Bill McCollum, a 30 year career politician that needs to go away. The same Bill McCollum that feel entitled to be the next Governor of Florida.
Bill the Flip Flop McCollum is now saying he wants a law similar to Arizona's law on illegal immigrants. Back in April, he didn't support the law, Rick Scott jumps into the race supporting it, polls go through the roof, then Bill supports it. Two days right after he supported it, he said "We don't need that law in Florida". Flip Flop Bill is at it again.
Then this past week, Bill supports a law prohibiting gays from adopting children in Florida.......Guess what, next day he said that isn't what he meant.
August 9, 2010 "I really do not think that we should have homosexuals guiding our children. I think that it’s a lifestyle that I don’t agree with and will create a law stopping it."
August 11, 2010 less than 48 hours later.."He says he wants to wait for the Florida Supreme Court to rule on Florida's gay adoption ban before deciding to take action." So Flip Flop continues to do what he does best, nothing.
Then "pro life" Bill claims he is opposed to abortions. OK, that is good, but he also managed Rudy's 2008 campaign in Florida. Rudy is the most open pro choice candidate out there, more so than Clinton. He also supported Forbes, another pro choice guy in addition to Gates, the list goes on. How can you claim to be pro life when you have all pro choice friends?
Stay tuned for "As Bills world flip flops" on a TV station near you....
Bill the Flip Flop McCollum is now saying he wants a law similar to Arizona's law on illegal immigrants. Back in April, he didn't support the law, Rick Scott jumps into the race supporting it, polls go through the roof, then Bill supports it. Two days right after he supported it, he said "We don't need that law in Florida". Flip Flop Bill is at it again.
Then this past week, Bill supports a law prohibiting gays from adopting children in Florida.......Guess what, next day he said that isn't what he meant.
August 9, 2010 "I really do not think that we should have homosexuals guiding our children. I think that it’s a lifestyle that I don’t agree with and will create a law stopping it."
August 11, 2010 less than 48 hours later.."He says he wants to wait for the Florida Supreme Court to rule on Florida's gay adoption ban before deciding to take action." So Flip Flop continues to do what he does best, nothing.
Then "pro life" Bill claims he is opposed to abortions. OK, that is good, but he also managed Rudy's 2008 campaign in Florida. Rudy is the most open pro choice candidate out there, more so than Clinton. He also supported Forbes, another pro choice guy in addition to Gates, the list goes on. How can you claim to be pro life when you have all pro choice friends?
Stay tuned for "As Bills world flip flops" on a TV station near you....
Friday, July 23, 2010
Shame on Laura Ingram
As many of you are aware, I also host a talk show. Today, I was listening to one of my (was anyways) favorite talk shows, Laura Ingram. There is a reason why it is no longer my favorite.
Her guest today was Attorney General Bill McCollum, candidate for the Florida Governors race. She handed him softball questions and when a more challenging question was presented, he went well off topic and she failed to get him back on topic. Not only did she fluff up his questions, she had the nerve to attack Rick Scott for not calling in. She wanted to host the first debate in this race to push up her ratings.
When she didn't get her way, she went on the attack towards Scott. If her or her producer did any research, they would of known Scott was addressing a group of several hundred at the time she wanted him on.
Then she allowed staged questions from the audience for Bill and took no phone calls. Laura, you are a disgrace to talk radio.
Her guest today was Attorney General Bill McCollum, candidate for the Florida Governors race. She handed him softball questions and when a more challenging question was presented, he went well off topic and she failed to get him back on topic. Not only did she fluff up his questions, she had the nerve to attack Rick Scott for not calling in. She wanted to host the first debate in this race to push up her ratings.
When she didn't get her way, she went on the attack towards Scott. If her or her producer did any research, they would of known Scott was addressing a group of several hundred at the time she wanted him on.
Then she allowed staged questions from the audience for Bill and took no phone calls. Laura, you are a disgrace to talk radio.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Flip Flop McCollum on Border Security
McCollum Fences with Immigration after Flip Flop
Bill McCollum, the Florida attorney general running for governor, did a 180 on the Arizona immigration bill. He seen the polls and changed his mind!
By coming out in favor of the law, McCollum joined U.S. Senate contender Marco Rubio in abandoning his previous opposition to the toughest crackdown on illegal immigration in the nation. Both have said they changed positions in light of amendments that aimed to outlaw ethnic and racial profiling by the police.
''I support Arizona's law as amended, and if the federal government fails to secure our borders and solve the problem of illegal immigration, I would support a similar law for Florida,'' McCollum said in a statement Thursday.
Gee, I wonder why he did that?
McCollum's flip-flop comes days after a recent poll showed him losing ground to an unexpected and well-financed Republican rival, Rick Scott, who backs the Arizona law. After spending at least $4.7 million on a statewide television blitz, the little-known former healthcare executive is capturing 24 percent of the Republican vote, according to a Mason-Dixon poll. McCollum, who has been in politics for two decades, received 38 percent in the survey.
This country has laws and as top law man in Fl, McCollum has to serve. He thinks he can do as he wants, a vote for McCollum is a vote for more illegal activity at the border. We neede to rid our Country of career politicians with arrogance like his.
Bill McCollum, the Florida attorney general running for governor, did a 180 on the Arizona immigration bill. He seen the polls and changed his mind!
By coming out in favor of the law, McCollum joined U.S. Senate contender Marco Rubio in abandoning his previous opposition to the toughest crackdown on illegal immigration in the nation. Both have said they changed positions in light of amendments that aimed to outlaw ethnic and racial profiling by the police.
''I support Arizona's law as amended, and if the federal government fails to secure our borders and solve the problem of illegal immigration, I would support a similar law for Florida,'' McCollum said in a statement Thursday.
Gee, I wonder why he did that?
McCollum's flip-flop comes days after a recent poll showed him losing ground to an unexpected and well-financed Republican rival, Rick Scott, who backs the Arizona law. After spending at least $4.7 million on a statewide television blitz, the little-known former healthcare executive is capturing 24 percent of the Republican vote, according to a Mason-Dixon poll. McCollum, who has been in politics for two decades, received 38 percent in the survey.
This country has laws and as top law man in Fl, McCollum has to serve. He thinks he can do as he wants, a vote for McCollum is a vote for more illegal activity at the border. We neede to rid our Country of career politicians with arrogance like his.
McCollum grabs headlines before doing his job
Taken from the PB Post
Earl Stewart is the owner and general manager of Earl Stewart Toyota in North Palm Beach. The dealership is located at 1215 N. Federal Highway in Lake Park. Contact him at www.earlstewarttoyota.com, call (561) 358-1474, fax (561) 658-0746 or e-mail earls@earlstewarttoyota.com.
Listen to him on Seaview AM 960 and 95.9, which can be streamed at www.seaviewraido.com every Saturday morning between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
We elected Bill McCollum to be our attorney general, the chief law enforcement officer in Florida.
Unfortunately, it seems that the only thing he has on his mind is being governor of Florida. His actions in the AG's office have suggested that he's had this on his mind since his first day on the job as Florida's attorney general.
From the get-go, he chose businesses and individuals to prosecute based on how much publicity it would generate and not on the negative impact on Florida's citizens.
A good example was the large sums of money he spent on, what seemed like thousands of TV commercials paid for by us taxpayers, featuring himself as the "protector" of Florida's children from child molesters. Our money would have been better spent had he featured pictures of convicted, freed sex offenders than himself.
If there was any question how bad Bill wants to be governor, all you have to do is turn on your TV. Within 2 minutes you'll see Bill and Rick (Scott) calling each other crooks and liars in political commercials.
Rick Scott, a very wealthy businessman, has spent about $15million so far and Bill is catching up fast. In fact, he has caught up so fast that the Palm Beach Post wrote an editorial accusing him of using illegal campaign fundraising tactics.
Suing the U.S. government over the new health care bill, passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Obama, was pure grandstanding. Every legal scholar knows that it has no legal merit and the purpose is to garner votes for governor.
Of course, my axe to grind with Bill McCollum is his politically motivated decision to give car dealers who practice unfair and deceptive advertising and sales tactics a "free pass."
The strong lobbying groups, the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and the South Florida Auto Dealers Association have always supported Bill McCollum, as have many individual dealers.
Do you really think that car dealers give large sums of money to Bill McCollum because they want to protect the citizens of Florida? This is partially true because they do want to protect some citizens, those who are car dealers. And they want to protect those car dealer citizens from having the Florida attorney general enforce the laws of Florida, specifically the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act as it specifically pertains to car dealers.
If you live anywhere in Florida, all you have to do is pick up your local newspaper and take a look at the auto classified section. Saturday is the best day to look because almost every car dealer likes to advertise on Saturday.
In these ads, you will see many that are actually illegal. Dealers advertise prices that don't include their dealer fee, which is required by Florida law. They advertise prices that don't include "freight," which is already included in the price of the car by the manufacturer. They deduct what your down payment must be from the "price" they advertise, understating the price by $3,000 or $3,500. They also deduct rebates from the price that you can only qualify for if you are a recent college graduate, an active member of the military or if you drive the same make of car that they sell. This is all clearly illegal but I know of no dealer who has been charged with any of this.
It's not like Bill McCollum can't easily check any newspaper in the state, even from Tallahassee. He can do this online or he has AG representatives in every major community in the state.
Also, what I just described to you happens just as blatantly on TV, radio and in direct-mail advertisements. The electronic ads are even more flagrantly deceptive. The fine print on TV is illegible and is flashed on the screen for such a short time that you couldn't read it if it were legible. The verbal disclosure is almost comical. They use a subdued voice and speed up the tape with the obvious intent of making it unintelligible.
Car dealers know that they can run any kind of advertisement and use any kind of deceptive sale tactic they want without fear of prosecution. This encourages the "bad guys" to run even more illegal ads.
Another negative consequence is that this "hear no, see no, speak no evil" policy of our attorney general forces the "good guys" to advertise in ways that they don't like, but feel they must.
Imagine for a minute that you are a Nissan dealer. Your closest competing Nissan dealer advertises cars below his cost. If you sell a car for the price he advertises you will lose thousands.
The way he gets away with this is by adding back in $3,000 + $740 + $799 + $500 to the advertised price.
The $3,000 is the down payment the customer must pay. The $740 is the freight that the manufacturer has already included in the price once. The dealer fee is required by law to be included in the price. The $500 is only if you are a graduate of a four- year accredited college within the last six months. The price the prospective customer sees in the ad is understated by more than $5,000!
If the "honest dealer" advertises his car in the newspaper at a price that he can make a profit on, he will drive business to the dealer who knows he can advertise any way he
Earl Stewart is the owner and general manager of Earl Stewart Toyota in North Palm Beach. The dealership is located at 1215 N. Federal Highway in Lake Park. Contact him at www.earlstewarttoyota.com, call (561) 358-1474, fax (561) 658-0746 or e-mail earls@earlstewarttoyota.com.
Listen to him on Seaview AM 960 and 95.9, which can be streamed at www.seaviewraido.com every Saturday morning between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
We elected Bill McCollum to be our attorney general, the chief law enforcement officer in Florida.
Unfortunately, it seems that the only thing he has on his mind is being governor of Florida. His actions in the AG's office have suggested that he's had this on his mind since his first day on the job as Florida's attorney general.
From the get-go, he chose businesses and individuals to prosecute based on how much publicity it would generate and not on the negative impact on Florida's citizens.
A good example was the large sums of money he spent on, what seemed like thousands of TV commercials paid for by us taxpayers, featuring himself as the "protector" of Florida's children from child molesters. Our money would have been better spent had he featured pictures of convicted, freed sex offenders than himself.
If there was any question how bad Bill wants to be governor, all you have to do is turn on your TV. Within 2 minutes you'll see Bill and Rick (Scott) calling each other crooks and liars in political commercials.
Rick Scott, a very wealthy businessman, has spent about $15million so far and Bill is catching up fast. In fact, he has caught up so fast that the Palm Beach Post wrote an editorial accusing him of using illegal campaign fundraising tactics.
Suing the U.S. government over the new health care bill, passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Obama, was pure grandstanding. Every legal scholar knows that it has no legal merit and the purpose is to garner votes for governor.
Of course, my axe to grind with Bill McCollum is his politically motivated decision to give car dealers who practice unfair and deceptive advertising and sales tactics a "free pass."
The strong lobbying groups, the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and the South Florida Auto Dealers Association have always supported Bill McCollum, as have many individual dealers.
Do you really think that car dealers give large sums of money to Bill McCollum because they want to protect the citizens of Florida? This is partially true because they do want to protect some citizens, those who are car dealers. And they want to protect those car dealer citizens from having the Florida attorney general enforce the laws of Florida, specifically the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act as it specifically pertains to car dealers.
If you live anywhere in Florida, all you have to do is pick up your local newspaper and take a look at the auto classified section. Saturday is the best day to look because almost every car dealer likes to advertise on Saturday.
In these ads, you will see many that are actually illegal. Dealers advertise prices that don't include their dealer fee, which is required by Florida law. They advertise prices that don't include "freight," which is already included in the price of the car by the manufacturer. They deduct what your down payment must be from the "price" they advertise, understating the price by $3,000 or $3,500. They also deduct rebates from the price that you can only qualify for if you are a recent college graduate, an active member of the military or if you drive the same make of car that they sell. This is all clearly illegal but I know of no dealer who has been charged with any of this.
It's not like Bill McCollum can't easily check any newspaper in the state, even from Tallahassee. He can do this online or he has AG representatives in every major community in the state.
Also, what I just described to you happens just as blatantly on TV, radio and in direct-mail advertisements. The electronic ads are even more flagrantly deceptive. The fine print on TV is illegible and is flashed on the screen for such a short time that you couldn't read it if it were legible. The verbal disclosure is almost comical. They use a subdued voice and speed up the tape with the obvious intent of making it unintelligible.
Car dealers know that they can run any kind of advertisement and use any kind of deceptive sale tactic they want without fear of prosecution. This encourages the "bad guys" to run even more illegal ads.
Another negative consequence is that this "hear no, see no, speak no evil" policy of our attorney general forces the "good guys" to advertise in ways that they don't like, but feel they must.
Imagine for a minute that you are a Nissan dealer. Your closest competing Nissan dealer advertises cars below his cost. If you sell a car for the price he advertises you will lose thousands.
The way he gets away with this is by adding back in $3,000 + $740 + $799 + $500 to the advertised price.
The $3,000 is the down payment the customer must pay. The $740 is the freight that the manufacturer has already included in the price once. The dealer fee is required by law to be included in the price. The $500 is only if you are a graduate of a four- year accredited college within the last six months. The price the prospective customer sees in the ad is understated by more than $5,000!
If the "honest dealer" advertises his car in the newspaper at a price that he can make a profit on, he will drive business to the dealer who knows he can advertise any way he
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Bill McCollum's campaign for Florida governor in trouble - St. Petersburg Times
I think the people are speaking and removing the career politicians. Maybe it is time that Mr. McCollum considers retiring.
Bill McCollum's campaign for Florida governor in trouble - St. Petersburg Times
Bill McCollum's campaign for Florida governor in trouble - St. Petersburg Times
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
McCollum tied to shadow group behind attack ads on Scott - St. Petersburg Times
Just another reason why McCollum needs to go away.
McCollum tied to shadow group behind attack ads on Scott - St. Petersburg Times
McCollum tied to shadow group behind attack ads on Scott - St. Petersburg Times
Career politicians need to retire Rubio vs Crist
Rubio, the poster child for "conservative" values vs the progressive style of the RINO (well former RINO) Charlie Crist. Who do we have for Senate? Well, not sure. Charlie thinks this is corporate America and he deserves to be on fast track to the top. He moves into different positions faster than I change my socks. No proven long term commitment or record.
Then Rubio, the self claimed tea party candidate. Is he or is it another fake self endorsement? I'll lean with the later. Rubio, the same one that claims he has not connections with the career politicians. Lets see, speaker of the house, how does one become speaker? It is called playing the field and being an insider. Then there is the same Rubio that claims to be in full support of the Constitution, another lie. Rubio supports a nationalized standard for education, sounds to me that he wants to grow the Fed and take away states rights.
This election cycle should prove interesting. Problem is, who do we vote for?
Then Rubio, the self claimed tea party candidate. Is he or is it another fake self endorsement? I'll lean with the later. Rubio, the same one that claims he has not connections with the career politicians. Lets see, speaker of the house, how does one become speaker? It is called playing the field and being an insider. Then there is the same Rubio that claims to be in full support of the Constitution, another lie. Rubio supports a nationalized standard for education, sounds to me that he wants to grow the Fed and take away states rights.
This election cycle should prove interesting. Problem is, who do we vote for?
Monday, April 26, 2010
A developers best friend, Manatee County Commissioners
As the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. This might be true with horses, but Manatee County Florida Commissioners not only drink, but guzzle.
They like to guzzle up all the campaign contributions from every developer, problem is that favors are expected. Favors! Look at the voting records of Carol Whitmore and Donna Hayes. If the relationship was any closer, they would need to surgically removed from the back sides of developers.
Carol claims she didn't support the overbuilding of a great community, that's a lie. Donna, well, is Donna, lost, no clue and arrogant.
This is what you get when you elect people for being a nice person as one old lady told me about Carol.
Then the voters wonder why we are experiencing high unemployment, high local taxes and stupid statements such as "I'm a nurse and my husband is a doctor."
Dump Carol this year or it will be four more years of the same crap, stupidity.
They like to guzzle up all the campaign contributions from every developer, problem is that favors are expected. Favors! Look at the voting records of Carol Whitmore and Donna Hayes. If the relationship was any closer, they would need to surgically removed from the back sides of developers.
Carol claims she didn't support the overbuilding of a great community, that's a lie. Donna, well, is Donna, lost, no clue and arrogant.
This is what you get when you elect people for being a nice person as one old lady told me about Carol.
Then the voters wonder why we are experiencing high unemployment, high local taxes and stupid statements such as "I'm a nurse and my husband is a doctor."
Dump Carol this year or it will be four more years of the same crap, stupidity.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Another one on Rubio
Funny, mainstream media has a habit to spin facts (surprise) and make fiction into facts. Most recently, the NYT did a story on the Florida's senate race and the candidates. The NYT reports that Marco Rubio is the candidate of the Tea Party and 9/12 memberships with endorsements from both.
Fact is, they are not for profits, thus cannot endorse any candidate, only educate their membership on where each candidate stands. After contacting several leaders in both groups, non to date have endorsed Rubio, it is a fabricated story. Why isn't the Rubio people clearing up this rumor? Perhaps because they lack ethics like their candidate.
Just a thought. Remember, if the NYT builds up a candidate, chances are the candidate is not good for America, thus Rubio is just another insider packing his pockets with the taxpayers money.
Fact is, they are not for profits, thus cannot endorse any candidate, only educate their membership on where each candidate stands. After contacting several leaders in both groups, non to date have endorsed Rubio, it is a fabricated story. Why isn't the Rubio people clearing up this rumor? Perhaps because they lack ethics like their candidate.
Just a thought. Remember, if the NYT builds up a candidate, chances are the candidate is not good for America, thus Rubio is just another insider packing his pockets with the taxpayers money.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Marco Rubio, lobbyist
Marco Rubio, lobbyist
former House Speaker Marco Rubio and U.S. Senate candidate was a Miami-Dade County lobbyist from 1997 (when he was a West Miami Commissioner) until 2005. By then, he secured the needed votes to become House Speaker. Also that year, he reported a new salary of $300k with his new firm, Broad & Cassel, which has had dozens of clients who do business with the state.
Rubio never talked about his lobbying and that's because, his campaign said, he wasn't really a lobbyist. He was a lawyer representing clients best interest, a lobbyist?
The reason Marco Rubio never spoke about his “lobbying” is because he was never a “lobbyist,” in the Tallahassee-influence-peddling sense of the word that Charlie Crist is all too familiar with,' said campaign spokesman Alex Burgos, who has way more to say on this below****.
Still, it's called a lobbyist registration by Miami-Dade. So the 'L' word is tough to avoid, though early stories on him running for the Legislature in 1999 merely identified as commissioner and a lawyer.
His entire bio underscores that Rubio, despite his supporters describing him as an outsider in his race against fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, is a consummate insider. Consider: City commissioner, lawyer, lobbyist*, one-time Republican Party of Florida American Express card holder, top echelon House leader and, ultimately, House Speaker, Jeb Bush sword-of-Chang bearer."
Fact is, when you live in glass houses, you should not throw stones. Rubio tossed one at Crist, now it is time to break some glass.
former House Speaker Marco Rubio and U.S. Senate candidate was a Miami-Dade County lobbyist from 1997 (when he was a West Miami Commissioner) until 2005. By then, he secured the needed votes to become House Speaker. Also that year, he reported a new salary of $300k with his new firm, Broad & Cassel, which has had dozens of clients who do business with the state.
Rubio never talked about his lobbying and that's because, his campaign said, he wasn't really a lobbyist. He was a lawyer representing clients best interest, a lobbyist?
The reason Marco Rubio never spoke about his “lobbying” is because he was never a “lobbyist,” in the Tallahassee-influence-peddling sense of the word that Charlie Crist is all too familiar with,' said campaign spokesman Alex Burgos, who has way more to say on this below****.
Still, it's called a lobbyist registration by Miami-Dade. So the 'L' word is tough to avoid, though early stories on him running for the Legislature in 1999 merely identified as commissioner and a lawyer.
His entire bio underscores that Rubio, despite his supporters describing him as an outsider in his race against fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, is a consummate insider. Consider: City commissioner, lawyer, lobbyist*, one-time Republican Party of Florida American Express card holder, top echelon House leader and, ultimately, House Speaker, Jeb Bush sword-of-Chang bearer."
Fact is, when you live in glass houses, you should not throw stones. Rubio tossed one at Crist, now it is time to break some glass.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Rubio ducks "Credit Card Gate"
"Rubio swipes at Crist, ducks other ?s
Former House Speaker and U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio, with the mojo of a strong fundraising quarter and rising poll numbers behind him, did not shy from swiping at Gov. Charlie Crist, his opponent for the Republican primary, during a speech before reporters this morning.
Rubio, at an AP event in the Capitol, said Crist 'cut the legs out from under' the GOP by endorsing President Barack Obama's federal stimulus package last year. Rubio said Crist was not informed enough about the money, and he did a disservice to the rest of the GOP's attempts to limit government.
'When Charlie Crist lined up behind the stimulus package, he cut the legs out from every other Republican who was trying to find an alternative,' Rubio said.
Rubio also demurred from offering specifics on what he knew, if anything, about the $6 million for an airport hangar that has gotten his successor, former Speaker Ray Sansom, in trouble. Rubio said it is still an 'active case, and I want to respect that.'
'I knew what every other member of the Legislature knew, and that is what the line item in the budget said,' Rubio said.
He also said the RPOF credit cards and questions of whether they should be released are 'an internal party matter.' But he said he is 'troubled by the party and the direction it has been going.'
He said Sen. John Thrasher and Sharon Day are 'both qualified people' to succeed longtime RPOF chairman Jim Greer, who recently announced he is resigning."
From the Miami Herald
Former House Speaker and U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio, with the mojo of a strong fundraising quarter and rising poll numbers behind him, did not shy from swiping at Gov. Charlie Crist, his opponent for the Republican primary, during a speech before reporters this morning.
Rubio, at an AP event in the Capitol, said Crist 'cut the legs out from under' the GOP by endorsing President Barack Obama's federal stimulus package last year. Rubio said Crist was not informed enough about the money, and he did a disservice to the rest of the GOP's attempts to limit government.
'When Charlie Crist lined up behind the stimulus package, he cut the legs out from every other Republican who was trying to find an alternative,' Rubio said.
Rubio also demurred from offering specifics on what he knew, if anything, about the $6 million for an airport hangar that has gotten his successor, former Speaker Ray Sansom, in trouble. Rubio said it is still an 'active case, and I want to respect that.'
'I knew what every other member of the Legislature knew, and that is what the line item in the budget said,' Rubio said.
He also said the RPOF credit cards and questions of whether they should be released are 'an internal party matter.' But he said he is 'troubled by the party and the direction it has been going.'
He said Sen. John Thrasher and Sharon Day are 'both qualified people' to succeed longtime RPOF chairman Jim Greer, who recently announced he is resigning."
From the Miami Herald
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