Another Republican Governer! No!!

[Anoriginal]

Don't even speak to me about student loans, insurance and taxes. If and when any of you want to trade, just let me know. I'll hand you my bills and take over yours.

However, here's some food for though:

First, student loans. My student loans are crazy. I won't even mention what I pay per month. Lets just say you could pay a HUGE mortgage with what I pay out. However, I have these because I could not qualify for grants or aid. No, I had excellent grades in school (magna cum laude for my undergrad work, cum laude for my masters and JD) but that didn't matter. The problem was that I didn't fit into the profile for the award. I am caucasian, male, american, my parents made good money, I made good money...see the pattern?
Never mind the fact I was a superior student to the majority of the students recieving the financial rides. I am just the wrong race/sex/nationality/take your pick for the liberal student aid programs offerred on a national and state level. Democrat? Republican? Doesn't matter. Niether side has fixed it yet.

Regarding taxes. I've reached a point in my career where I make more money than I ever dreamed I would. Sounds great right? Well, let me tell you that considering the amount of income tax I pay each year, I should have an interstate named after me by now. Don't even start on property tax. My property tax bills would give the tin man the runs. Where do my tax dollars go? Not back to me in any meaningful format. Sure, roads, military, Social Security, blah blah blah. In fact, I'm now contributing to the liberal aid programs that have become crutches that some people believe they are entitled to or owed. Take your pick again... welfare, SBA loans for minorities, tax breaks for minority businesses, special considerations for minority contracts, FEMA payments to idiots that used them to buy Gucci hand bags....and the list goes on. Democrat? Republican? Doesn't matter, still not fixed.

Insurance, there's a good one. When I got my homeowners statement for this year, I almost shot myself. Regarding medical insurance, here's an idea. Given the fact the medical industry is the most inflated and fat cat industry on the face of the planet due to decades of guaranteed payments to providers by insurance companies, lets see what the industry is capable without a false basis for demand. Guess what? Apply a little free market capitalism to the industry and that $600.00 shot of cortizone with a band-aid becomes a $50.00 procedure as it should be. The pocket lining is not within the insurance companies, it's in the industries recieving the insurance payments. Why do you think the rates are up and many companies are pulling out? Simple supply and demand folks. DEmocrat? Republican? Doesn't matter.

Now, I don't want to seen bitter here. I'm not one to complain. I love my life, my job and my position in life. I'm what you'd call a loud and proud American that supports my country will all my heart. I'm behind Bush, our troops and our government. It's not perfect, but it's still the greatest place on earth. Now, lets see if both sides can stop the chest beating long enough to get something done.


Oh yeah, Rico is not gay. His boyfriend is gay but Rico is not!

[VForcedave]

Anoriginal, thats a good point in regards to see if both sides can work together. From what I heard today, they are talking about it. Democrat or Republican, we need to move forward as a country now. 

[SomBch]

its all a political chess game on each side to see who can exploit each others missteps , dont look for much more other than a better Iraq stragedy. Every thing else will be put on hold till a new POTUS is elected. And if you ask me we need a sane military man to run , like a Gen. W. Clarke , that way we have a true military prospective  of being in action not a draft dodgers or a child of priviledge that was sheltered from his duty as an American.    MY .02

[dynodon]

I actually feel that Rico has made some sense for a change !!!
I agree with 90% of what he has said, Good job Rico

[americanhighlander]

Highlander, I agree with all you said. You speak your mind and I respect that, but why don't you want to see gay people marry?

How does it effect you, and why would you want to control what other people can and can't do.


Just for the record, I'm not gay, but I do own a ton of BED, BATH, AND BEYOND stock, and the gay marriages are good for my stock.

Please not another debate on homosexuals.  Let me just fast forward this whole debate in one comment.  I think the conversation would go something like this.

Uncle Rico: Who are you to judge who can and cannot get married?
AmericanHighlander:Its against the bible and the bible says that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Uncle Rico: That is true, however, this is a marriage that is recognized by the state.  Besides, the consitution specifically mentions the separation of church and state.
AmericanHighlander: Good point, however the foundation of this country was built on Christian beliefs.
Uncle Rico: Regardless, I will never change my opinion.
AmericanHighlander: Neither will I.
Uncle Rico: So we agree to disagree?
AmericanHighlander: You got that right cowboy, so there is no reason to discuss this any further.
Uncle Rico: I noticed you are a goat farmer, I would like to buy one of your goats
AmericanHighlander: I am a little hesitant to sell you one, I heard you got in trouble for molesting some livestock out at River Ranch
Uncle Rico: Listen, don't judge, I though I was milking a cow and it turned out to be that it was a bull, its an easy mistake
AmericanHighlander:  Well, what do you have to trade for the goat?
Uncle Rico: I have a pair of beer goggles with bud light vision
AmericanHighlander: Hmmmm very tempting, I have some already with the Old Milwaukee vision but they are a little fuzzy
Uncle Rico: Well my bud light ones are awesome, the would make Muddfreak look like a prom queen.
AmericanHighlander:  Alright, you have yourself a deal
Uncle Rico: excellent, I will pick him up just as soon as I am done knitting him some mittens and matching socks.  Actually since winter is coming up I am gonna knit him a scarf as well.  I should be done in about a week
AmericanHighlander: Peace out Uncle Rico
Uncle Rico: Later

Trying put me in online poll movie.. LOL   

[americanhighlander]

Thanks for the Link Highlander...YOU ARE THE MAN!

No problem!! 

[Bigscrb15]

Don't even speak to me about student loans, insurance and taxes. If and when any of you want to trade, just let me know. I'll hand you my bills and take over yours.

However, here's some food for though:

First, student loans. My student loans are crazy. I won't even mention what I pay per month. Lets just say you could pay a HUGE mortgage with what I pay out. However, I have these because I could not qualify for grants or aid. No, I had excellent grades in school (magna cum laude for my undergrad work, cum laude for my masters and JD) but that didn't matter. The problem was that I didn't fit into the profile for the award. I am caucasian, male, american, my parents made good money, I made good money...see the pattern?
Never mind the fact I was a superior student to the majority of the students recieving the financial rides. I am just the wrong race/sex/nationality/take your pick for the liberal student aid programs offerred on a national and state level. Democrat? Republican? Doesn't matter. Niether side has fixed it yet.

Regarding taxes. I've reached a point in my career where I make more money than I ever dreamed I would. Sounds great right? Well, let me tell you that considering the amount of income tax I pay each year, I should have an interstate named after me by now. Don't even start on property tax. My property tax bills would give the tin man the runs. Where do my tax dollars go? Not back to me in any meaningful format. Sure, roads, military, Social Security, blah blah blah. In fact, I'm now contributing to the liberal aid programs that have become crutches that some people believe they are entitled to or owed. Take your pick again... welfare, SBA loans for minorities, tax breaks for minority businesses, special considerations for minority contracts, FEMA payments to idiots that used them to buy Gucci hand bags....and the list goes on. Democrat? Republican? Doesn't matter, still not fixed.

Insurance, there's a good one. When I got my homeowners statement for this year, I almost shot myself. Regarding medical insurance, here's an idea. Given the fact the medical industry is the most inflated and fat cat industry on the face of the planet due to decades of guaranteed payments to providers by insurance companies, lets see what the industry is capable without a false basis for demand. Guess what? Apply a little free market capitalism to the industry and that $600.00 shot of cortizone with a band-aid becomes a $50.00 procedure as it should be. The pocket lining is not within the insurance companies, it's in the industries recieving the insurance payments. Why do you think the rates are up and many companies are pulling out? Simple supply and demand folks. DEmocrat? Republican? Doesn't matter.

Now, I don't want to seen bitter here. I'm not one to complain. I love my life, my job and my position in life. I'm what you'd call a loud and proud American that supports my country will all my heart. I'm behind Bush, our troops and our government. It's not perfect, but it's still the greatest place on earth. Now, lets see if both sides can stop the chest beating long enough to get something done.


Oh yeah, Rico is not gay. His boyfriend is gay but Rico is not!

AMEN!!!!!

That was very well said. I agree with you 100%.

[mikeE36]

Well, here we go again. Another Republican for Governor. At least Jebb Bush is gone and his older brother has botched the war up so bad that hopefully he won't ever be able to run for President. My vote was for Max Linn. But I guess he wasn't enough of a good 'ole boy or a Christian to get voted here in Florida. It's great to see that the Republican's are losing power in the House and Senate. Finally, the rest of the country is waking up and realizing the Republicans and President Bush are doing a horrible managing Iraq and our economy.

My thoughts exactly. Mabey this country will straighten up now that these republicans are out of office. Hopefully this new governor does something for the atv community but I doubt he will.

[mikeE36]

Charlie is about as useful as Charlie Brown.  He has the insurance company's padding his pockets and he's so far up their arses.  Insurance is going to become a HUGE deal this year for not only me but for all of you.  As of 2007 if you are in an auto accident your access to medical and chiropractic care is going to be damn near absent.  And you will be getting bills because it's not going to be covered as it was in the past.

In addition your premiums are going to increase as the big bad insurance companies get rich you will get less coverage and lose more money paying them.  In my case the insurance companies already only pay 1/3 of my bill.  Wonder how much less they'll pay this year.  Oh and while you're thinking this is great for you realize that the less the companies pay Dr.s the fewer will be on the plan which makes drs want off the plans.  What does this mean for you?

It means you'll get foreign or cut rate care and practitioners.  You'll get to pay for your premiums and pay your full bill if you want a decent dr.

I'm not terribly thrilled at the thought of what this particular republican is going to do to my business.  I just hope I can stay in business.
-----------------------
Yunt I 100% agree that we should abolish the two party system and go independent.  However, it just so happened that this attack was while Bush was in office.  I don't know about you but I don't have a crystal ball that tells the what if factor.  The same thing could have happened w/ a democratic or any other president.  To say that this attack didn't happen again because of Bush is a bit much for me, considering that we don't know and can't know what would have happened had someone else been in office.
-------------------------

Sky I agree w/ you on student loans.  I owe a 200K for my student loans and due to the governments one time consolidation process I had mine consolidated at .08%.  I can't ever change that.  Which means at that rate I owe $1200/ month for 30 yrs to pay them off.  I'll be 65 by then and hope to have been retired by 15 years.  Unless the government does something to help out on these loan rates there are going to be more like me that can't afford to live and buy a home.  At this rate I won't be able to save for my retirement and buy a home.  There is no 401K or profit sharing as a small business owner so unless I find the money to put away myself I will never retire.

it doesnt matter. insurance and utilites in florida are already out of control. MY PARENTS PAY 20 DOLLARS EVERY SINGLE DAY JUST TO INSURE THE HOUSE

[trx#9]

You got to eliminate big business in our government or it just going to get worse. There needs to be a campain reform, The republicans don't won't it because they raise the most money. The democrats talk about it but nothing ever happens. Do you think it would be fair if a referee calling the game for the Bucaneers can take money from the opposing team. No that would be crazy, but our political canidates do. This has to stop. You notice how the current governor does nothing about the current insurance problems duh! thats were he got most of his money from too. It seems like when choosing a canidate you have to look at who's padding there pocket before choosing. But a lot of people do know this and still vote like they do ignorant   I have come to relize people are crooked just like our government 
                Just my 1 cents

[cheropride]

Unfortantely, goverment, I believe is ran by the lobbist, the ones with the big money.  Regardless if your democrat or Republican, the one with the most money in their pocket wins.

I for one am a Republican, simply for the fact the democrats are just way beyond liberal, and I really think (althought they won this time) that's what hurts the democratic party the most. They swing so far to the liberal side it's just ain't funny.  Did you notice this election, there was not much talk about "gay rights", about "partial birth abortion", you know why, it's stuff like that which really hurts the democratic party.  I can tell you, many people vote Republican, regardless, due to these issues.  Due to the fact, we want certains truths upheld, and the democratic party can be so far to the left, that is almost scary.  Also, I don't agree that we can just pull out of Iraq, and I also don't believe that Iraq don't have anything to do w/terrorism.  Come on, we either fight it there, or we fight it here.  But the cold hard truth is, we are at war. A war that is very hard to fight. Let's see, you really think now that bcz the Democrats are in control, we are just going to pull out of Iraq, wake up.  It's so much bigger than some realize.  It is a war on terrorism, and we MUST WIN THIS WAR..... We must.

Let's see what the demcratic party does... Let's see. If you ask me, my predication is this.  Two more years, the country will swing back Republican, bcz the democratic party is just to liberal and too soft on the terrorist. I have nothing against you if you are gay, but you know what, don't you dare try to teach my 7 year old son "that's okay" we are all different.  You know what, that's my decision as a parent.  And if you think that I am really going off, look at the public schools, and look at what some of these people want to teach our kids, this is what gets me pist. 

Oh we can take God out of our schools, off our money, out of our pledge, but you know what it is okay to be gay, to hate God, and you know what if you want to Jihad against our country, that is your right.  Give me a friggin break....

[450rcrazy]

Im with you cheropride.

Clinton did nothing when the USS cole was attacked, nothing about samalia (mocadishue) and ignored coutless warnings about terrorist attacks and knew where bin laden was and did nothing.All he accomplished was monica.Every attack led to the next bigger attack ,do you all really think 9/11 was a spur of the moment plan no it was years of planning.The only thing wrong with bushes approch was that he was worried about how the rest of the world would view us such as the U.N.
we should have turned the middle east as a hole into a glass desert right after 9/11.democrats also want the most tax increases,Tax increases I cannot afford.The middle class pays for everything we are the working people the taxes pay for people who do not want to work medical bills housing food stamps and such.the upper class has accountants that find loop holes to avoid large taxes.and partial birth abortion is just morally wrong.pro choice= pro death they had a choice to use protection or even abstinance to why give them another choice when they were to lazy to make the right choice to start with.and yes lobbiest run the country for the exact reason chero said.I believe lobbiest should be outlawed.We almost need to fire the whole goverment and start over,break up the good ole boy club and get back to the way our founding fathers intended it to be.

[trx#9]

the upper class has accountants that find loop holes to avoid large taxes.

Thats a designed republican loop hole! I think I'm paying more taxes now than ever so throw that theory out the window. I like how republicans always use that scare tactics democrats raise taxes, thats getting old.     I'm with ya on firing the gov. To many positions for what a bunch of argueing and nothing gets done. 1 representive from each state and 10 congress men, a pres. and vice and a couple others and thats it.

[cheropride]

All one can say is that time will tell.  As for tax cuts, there has been more tax cuts in the last 6 years than when Clinton was in office.  Unemployment is at an all time low.  Look at the stock market, who could imagine after 9/11 it would ever come back the way it did, it's even higher than prior to 9/11. As for terrorist attacks, the democrats appear to want to stop alot of the surveliance issues, but to me this country is at high risk and we need to take all messures to protect this land. 

Personally, I think homeowner insurance is one of the biggest problems in Florida.  Hell, 3 years ago I was paying $1300.00, then last year jumped to $3800.00, now up to $4022.34.  You realize, that's $335 per month - that's crazy.  My home taxes aren't that bad, since we have lived in this house prior to the big real estate boom, but now we are house stuck, cause can't afford new taxes in Broward. The tax issue on homes, really has alot to do with the amount the home values have gone up. Been in this house for 10 years, and property value has gone up $300,000 - that's wild.

I do agree w/what Crist said though, if these insurance companies want to write their auto, and other lines of insurance, well then they must write homeowners insurance. If they pull homeowners, then they must totally pull out of the state.  They should not be allowed to pick and choose what they want to write.  If we have more insurance companies, than we would have more competition with rates. Hell, right now they (the what 2 that still write), can charge what ever they want and we have no choice.  The other guys plan was to add a 20 billion dollar insurance fund, now where do you think that 20 billion would come from - our pockets. 

[2ndtime04gt]

Some of you people are amazingly uninformed. Schools teaching your kids to be gay? Thats moronic, because we are all different.
Gay marriage? Who cares, they are together anyways and they are entitled to medical insurance benefits. Dont bring up the bible either, thats why we have a seperation of church and state. Religion is based on belief/faith nothing else.
Clinton did try to do something about Bin Laden, congress wouldnt let him kill him, they were too focused on him getting BJs. Bush had the same info that Clinton did and he didnt do anything either. Bin Laden is still out there and we are in just as much danger now than ever before.
I will give Crist a chance to do something, at least he is not the bible thumping Jebster who was trying to force the bible into every policy from Terry Schiavo to Gambling. But if you think that forcing Insurance companies to insure everything is going to work ithink you are in for a surprise. More will pull out than stay.

[JackL]

Some of you people are amazingly uninformed. Schools teaching your kids to be gay? Thats moronic, because we are all different.
Gay marriage? Who cares, they are together anyways and they are entitled to medical insurance benefits. Dont bring up the bible either, thats why we have a seperation of church and state. Religion is based on belief/faith nothing else.
Clinton did try to do something about Bin Laden, congress wouldnt let him kill him, they were too focused on him getting BJs. Bush had the same info that Clinton did and he didnt do anything either. Bin Laden is still out there and we are in just as much danger now than ever before.
I will give Crist a chance to do something, at least he is not the bible thumping Jebster who was trying to force the bible into every policy from Terry Schiavo to Gambling. But if you think that forcing Insurance companies to insure everything is going to work ithink you are in for a surprise. More will pull out than stay.

Who are you to you contradict what I heard rush say on the radio?
It will be funny as hell when Crists' gayness is exposed.

[SomBch]

I think its important for us all to rememeber that unless we are talking about locally elected officials , for the most part they are faithful to one thing ....there PARTY! Not you OR your particular ideals or goals, but to the goals of there  Party!!! I for one dont live with my head in the sand , blindely following like a lemming. Both parties are crooks and liars, if you dont think they are answer me this? When there is a scandal or impropriaties of any nature and one side accuses the other side of outrageous behavior , the opposite side denies it but doesnt threaten legal action for making false claims.......do they? What you should take from that is there is a bit of truth to everything thats brought to light or it wouldnt have surfaced in the first place. Ask yourself this ? Why arent there any state or U.S Senators or Reps. that arent well to do or children of priviledge? Why does it cost so much just to enter a race for a seat? The answer is quite simple........ they dont want the little mans input, they dont want to hear the plite of the worker, they would rather tell you they understand you hurt and that they hurt too. Yeah right ......tell me another one.

[2ndtime04gt]

I think its important for us all to rememeber that unless we are talking about locally elected officials , for the most part they are faithful to one thing ....there PARTY! Not you OR your particular ideals or goals, but to the goals of there  Party!!! I for one dont live with my head in the sand , blindely following like a lemming. Both parties are crooks and liars, if you dont think they are answer me this? When there is a scandal or impropriaties of any nature and one side accuses the other side of outrageous behavior , the opposite side denies it but doesnt threaten legal action for making false claims.......do they? What you should take from that is there is a bit of truth to everything thats brought to light or it wouldnt have surfaced in the first place. Ask yourself this ? Why arent there any state or U.S Senators or Reps. that arent well to do or children of priviledge? Why does it cost so much just to enter a race for a seat? The answer is quite simple........ they dont want the little mans input, they dont want to hear the plite of the worker, they would rather tell you they understand you hurt and that they hurt too. Yeah right ......tell me another one.

Quoted for truth!!

[SkyHighT100]

I think its important for us all to rememeber that unless we are talking about locally elected officials , for the most part they are faithful to one thing ....there PARTY! Not you OR your particular ideals or goals, but to the goals of there  Party!!! I for one dont live with my head in the sand , blindely following like a lemming. Both parties are crooks and liars, if you dont think they are answer me this? When there is a scandal or impropriaties of any nature and one side accuses the other side of outrageous behavior , the opposite side denies it but doesnt threaten legal action for making false claims.......do they? What you should take from that is there is a bit of truth to everything thats brought to light or it wouldnt have surfaced in the first place. Ask yourself this ? Why arent there any state or U.S Senators or Reps. that arent well to do or children of priviledge? Why does it cost so much just to enter a race for a seat? The answer is quite simple........ they dont want the little mans input, they dont want to hear the plite of the worker, they would rather tell you they understand you hurt and that they hurt too. Yeah right ......tell me another one.

[dnigels]

I'm so glad we have another Republcan in office ! Even if the Dems screw up the house and senate and stall any and all progress for the next couple years, at least we have someone in office to fight the crazy left agenda. No to gay marriage, No to partial birth abortions, Yes to Charlie Christ 

Only one paragraph!  Well said!

[450rcrazy]

if you really want to know were a candidate stands on an issue you must reaserch how that cadidate has voted on the issues in the past.That will show you really what their made of.you can not listen to the mud slinging that goes on during a campaign or believe what they say .the proof of who they are shows in hoe they have voted in the past .If you dont reaserch before voting most likely you may have voted wrong.

[yunt2ride]

Everyone seems to think that Bin Laden is alive. How do people know this for sure. Because we have not found his dead body. It may have been blown to smitherines or he may have been buried by his own people. How does people know he is still alive. Don't tell me because he made some kind of video. We all know that you can do wonders with photoshop. And if he is actually alive, he must be hidden deep in a cave so then he may as well be as good as dead.

[SomBch]

WOW....................................      okay.

[SomBch]

if you really want to know were a candidate stands on an issue you must reaserch how that cadidate has voted on the issues in the past.That will show you really what their made of.you can not listen to the mud slinging that goes on during a campaign or believe what they say .the proof of who they are shows in hoe they have voted in the past .If you dont reaserch before voting most likely you may have voted wrong.

as they say in Pleasant City ......"True Dat"

But, you must also : 1)find out who their major campaign contributors are 2) find out their family backround and their connections 3) past offices held and what resulted from their being elected. 4) who endorses their campaign .

 thats just a few if you really want the right canidate, and even then you might get hosed. Just look at Tony Masilloti , he may have taken more money from developers than we will ever know . Considering, western Palm Beach County grew more on his watch than on any others. And he had alot of people thinking he was the stuff.

[UncleRico]

Everyone seems to think that Bin Laden is alive. How do people know this for sure. Because we have not found his dead body. It may have been blown to smitherines or he may have been buried by his own people. How does people know he is still alive. Don't tell me because he made some kind of video. We all know that you can do wonders with photoshop. And if he is actually alive, he must be hidden deep in a cave so then he may as well be as good as dead.

How do I know. He's working at a 7-11 in North Jersey, he busted me trying to say my Big Gulp was a refill when it was a new cup. My friend is in the FBI and told me he's in the witness relocation plan for ratting out Al Zarqawi, that's how I know.