Government Out of Control
Ever
Vigilant is a pseudonym. Ever Vigilant is a leader;
an administrator; a veteran; a college graduate and
well known. Because the 3 R's of tin-pot despotism
-- revenge - retaliation - retribution -- are alive
and well in Columbia County, even worming their
poisonous tentacles into the heart of the State
Attorney's Office, in order for Ever Vigilant to be
ever vigilant, his/her name is a pseudonym.
Columbia County, FL (Posted
April 9,
2010 03:55 pm)
By Ever Vigilant
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted
from February 12-15, 2010 revealed that a majority of
Americans think the federal government poses a threat to
the rights of Americans; has become so large and
powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights
and freedoms of ordinary citizens and think that the
U.S. government is broken.
This poll will not come as a surprise to the majority
of Americans, but it was a complete shock to the news
anchors and political pundits that found the poll
results incomprehensible.
What is different about the current grassroots
movement, whether it is called TEA Party or something
else, is not the political party affiliation of its
members; which includes Democrats, Libertarians,
Republicans and Independents, but rather the underlying
issues that this disparate group of individuals hold in
common.
The oxygen fueling this sudden and explosive outbreak
of political fervor is the total exasperation over the
hot fire of repeated lies, offenses and excesses
perpetrated by our elected leaders and outrage at the
arrogance, ignorance and self-serving actions of those
we have elected to represent us in political office.
Politicians at all levels have become disconnected from
their constituents and callous to the interests, desires
and aspirations of the people they were elected to
represent.
The people mandated a balanced budget
The Constitution of Florida mandates that our
Legislature balance the budget every year thanks to wise
voters and politicians alike that fought the battle to
make this a prerequisite of our political business in
Florida.
In the past years of steady economic growth many
programs were added to the budget to appease various
political constituencies. The economic boom is over and
the Constitution mandates fiscal discipline.
In the face of a projected $3.6 billion budget
shortfall the Governor continues to request increases in
spending and the Legislators promise to continue funding
of a host of special interest programs.
Last year Governor Crist and the Legislature dodged
the budget short fall by greedily lapping up the
Stimulus Funds offered by Washington. The shortfall is
worse this year. What now, another stimulus to bail us
out – not likely. Soon we will see where the cuts are
applied.
The local levels of government, city and county, are
not immune to the “out of control” arrogance of those
elected to power.
The behavior of the Columbia County Board of County
Commissioners and their zany antics has been documented
repeatedly.
Attendance at any meeting of the County Commission
will convince any thinking person that the views and
opinions of the electorate are both unwanted and
unwelcome. The presence of the public and media
interfere greatly with the back door deals of the good
ol’ boy system.
Florida's Sunshine Laws demand transparency
While Florida's Sunshine Laws demand transparency in
government, the clarity of sunshine has yet to penetrate
the opaque smoke screen that surrounds the workings of
Columbia County government.
The Columbia County legacy and legend is spreading
like a field fire: failure to respond to Freedom of
Information requests; making slanderous and
unsubstantiated remarks about people and organizations;
using political influence to solicit trumped up
complaints against opponents; ethics violations;
misusing and misdirecting County funds for purposes
which they were not intended; spending tax payer dollars
on questionable “economic development” projects that
could directly benefit members of the Board, their
families or business associates -- Business as usual in
Columbia County.
“Throw the Bums Out.”
The battle cry is starting to resonate locally,
“Throw the Bums Out.” The people get it even if the
local politicos don't.
Outrage and outcries alone are not enough -- action
is required.
Concerned citizens must attend meetings in far larger
numbers and direct probing questions to elected
officials and public servants at every opportunity.
Write to them regularly. Hold them accountable for their
attitudes as well as their actions. Do not accept
irresponsible actions that cost you money. Force them to
be responsible and replace them frequently.
Our Founding Fathers never envisioned permanent or
professional politicians. Voters should demand to know
why candidates are running for office and carry out due
diligence on the candidates background and financial
interests to determine conflicts of interest before
electing the scoundrels to office.
Support quality candidates that are knowledgeable of
the issues instead of depending on old family ties and
high school buddies.
The arrogance and ignorance of most of the candidates
and incumbents today should be a driving consideration
when casting your vote. While I hesitate to prescribe
voting all incumbents out of office, I have to think
that a real good house cleaning at all levels would be
good for America, Florida and this County.
