Invasion of the live chat, noon Tuesday

Want to talk about the Legislature, local matters, the change in the weather, or everybody's favorite governor? Whatever your topic, I hope you'll think about stopping by TroxBlog from noon to 1 pm. Tuesday for our weekly live chat. I'll be here live, talking with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Oct. 2 chat is open." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement to see what folks have had to say so far, and for a form to add your own comment or question.

As always, if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or thought, add it to the comments of THIS announcement. I'll try to work it in during the live portion of Tuesday's chat. And also just like always, if you can't be here live, you can always come back later to check out a transcript.

Comments

[Boo Boo]

Ok. A story may have slipped by some folks but I read that a new Tent City will be erected. It wiil be at the corner of 49th St and 126th Ave. I drove by there yesterday and there is a large piece of property just west of the Rally Gas Station. It seems a Church group and the County are going to give a safe haven for the expected large numbers of homeless that flee the cold. Their tents will not be slashed by the police and they will have 24 hr security. Just wonderful that during a time of budget cuts runaway taxes and insurance the County will kick in some $400,000 for people that don't pay taxes. They will have showers, bath rooms and one hot meal a day. Don't get me wrong but When I moved here I planned it out made sure I had a place to live and a plan to earn and become a solid tax paying citizen. Must be nice just move down spend the winter here on mostly a free ride. Go back north in the spring all tan and well fed. The New Snow Birds!

[Curmudgin]

Alvin Toffler's Prophecy Fulfilled - 37 years later!

Those that don't know their history are doomed to repeat it.

Sad! But oh so true

[20/20]

Howard,

I’ve often said that it is not my neighbor the Democrat or the Republican that has messed this process up… it’s the politicians, the Parties, and the politicos who have taken the honor from it. Your words ring true,

“As long as running for the Legislature subjects you to ridiculous attacks, and as long as voters side with whichever candidate promises the best candy, then we will continue to stagger along.”

Sadly, this mockery has reached all levels of government. It’s no longer about the issues, the ideas, or the qualifications – it’s about sound bites and billboards. The two-Party system has diminished into a diversion, an effective one, but just an illusion to keep our minds off the real issues... for that might cause a demand for real solutions.

It’s not about left or right, it’s not about conservative or liberal, it’s not even about red or blue anymore… it’s about green. My father always said, “You don’t spend 300-million dollars to get a 400-thousand dollar job. There’s got to be a return on that investment.”

The same rings true for campaigns at every level.

Great article today.

Boo Boo; Several local and county offices are up for re-election. This is just the beginning of the pandering season. They've only just begun to spend our money to get themselves re-elected.

[Larry]

Howard, your column this morning, and I've heard you lament this before, seems to poo-poo the term limits the voters decided on in Florida. You decry youth and inexperience on the job. I don't know if you can recall the former way things were done when elected office in the legislature was like a fifedom in Florida, even passed down from father to son. Sorry, but I strongly disagree with your position on that one. Eight years is long enough, even too long in some cases. Just look around Pinellas County. It is indeed unfortunate that Pinellas County has the most apathetic voters in the state. Like I said, just look around.

[20/20]

Larry,

I too, am a proponent of term limits. I think they should be in place throughout our nation at every level of government; from the dogcatcher to the President. The “fear” of “losing institutional knowledge” through term limits… is a tactic created by the incumbent structure in an effort to hold onto the power, greed and boondoggle arrangements.

I’m not sure if Howard is actually advocating for the elimination of term limits. From my perspective, it’s more of an expression of general frustration in the process. Something we can all relate to.

Interesting enough, right here in Pinellas… our locals also “careen from crisis to crisis”. In fact, a strong (re)argument can be made in favor of term limits, using the latest (Property Appraiser’s land deal) debacle. When we continue to put the same people in the same seat over and over again… we risk complacency. Commissioner’s stop paying attention to the details, take too much for granted, and lose their sense of purpose and duty and… whamo!

Make no mistake about it… if all 7 Pinellas commissioners left office today, when you wake up tomorrow… the water will run, the toilet will flush, the trash will be picked up, schools will open, roads will be open, lights will work, the police and firemen will answer your call… and your taxes will still be due. I say; clean them all out for the simple logic and reasoning that; the new group can’t do any worse, and may actually do a lot better. We must get off our rears on Election Day and vote. It’s our right, our responsibility, and our duty.

[guy]

Howard, there is no savings that amount to a hill of beans in this proposed legislation, for retirees that have low incomes and a 3% cap on property values.
I would pay more taxes and so would three of my children, right here in St. Pete.
Why don’t they pass the double homestead and keep the cap? very easy !!.
Get the tax money from the tourist’s.
By the way I put your blog site on my screen lol.