Sunday column: The case against Hometown Democracy

The argument being made against Florida Hometown Democracy by big-money groups translates to:

AAAAHH! AAAAH! AAAAH! If you vote for Hometown Democracy, your tongue will turn purple. Florida will sink into the sea. Evil people who smell bad are behind it. Only an IDIOT would vote for it.

One example of this rhetoric, as we saw recently, was the sleazy letter signed by John Thrasher, a Tallahassee lobbyist carrying water for the anti-Hometown crowd.

Thrasher's letter tried to drum up fear toward a mysterious group known as "electors" who would take over this state if Hometown Democracy passes.

"Electors," of course, means the voters. Thrasher was trying to demagogue voters into fearing themselves.

Yep, the big-money boys are being driven bug-eyed crazy at the thought of voters taking over control of growth in Florida. They can't mount a coherent campaign. All they can do is jabber threats and insults.

So, I thought I'd help out.

Even though I'm perfectly okay with Hometown Democracy, there are arguments against putting voters directly in control of growth decisions. Here are just a few... [rest of column]

Comments

Howard,

As good as it sounds, Hometown Democracy will never work. You made some excellent points with your column.

1. Locking in the useage plans, as they now exist. These plans were made by development-friendly people put there by ELECTORS who could give a care less, until something pops up and bites them in the a++.

2. Individual rights, as to land-use policy. Plan A, with great fanfare, suceeds, Plan B doesen't. Both landowners have equal rights. I would guess the one that captures Paris Hilton's favor, (or Donald Trumps) will suceed.

3. Most of all, we have, in effect, a Citizens Democracy. It is called voting, becoming an "Elector". This privilege means nothing, unless you inform yourself as to where you want your State to be, to grow.

4. Studying infrastructure (roads, water, sewer capacity, power usage, etc) are far beyond the capacity of us average citizens (electors) to process. We need to focus on the people we elect to do these things for us. Anyone want to take over for their Doctor, when you desparately need help? Same thing.

5. Beat this initiave, but do not play into the big-bucks developer's hands. Inform yourself, (just like Pinellas County did before the Jim Smith debacle) and elect people who reflect your interest, not someone who is bought by campaign contributions. Get involved, and you can see controlled development, reasonable insurance, and lower property taxes.

6. IT HAS TO COME FROM THE ELECTORS, THERE IS NO OTHER SOURCE.

Winston

[ed]

WINSTON-ARE YOU THERE?? we just elected a governor & a legislature to work with him-to solve property insurance, property tax, pip,etc. problems-not much progress!! so much for electing people who reflect your interest-whats wrong with giving hometown democracy a try!!

[Andy G]

"We elect leaders to study, consider and make complicated decisions." That comment trumps the rest. Somehow voters have gotten the idea that politicians may need a little help staying honest. Oh,sure, we acknowledge there's a need for a bureaucracy to make sure the garbage gets picked up, the public safety is protected, etc. and our local elected officials do a darn good job handling that. But when it comes to stuff like overdevelopment, the voters have somethow gottent he idea that politicans may not always act with the public's best interests in mind. That's especially true in this land of the free and home of the brave where political office is available to the best funded candidate.