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Letters to the EditorsRevote idea ought to include candidates, too© St. Petersburg Times published March 6, 2003 Isn't that a novel idea the governor and some legislators have come up with to solve the budget dilemma? The Florida voters, unpersuaded by volumes of contrary advice during two consecutive election cycles, approved constitutional amendments to build a rapid rail transportation system and reduce public school class sizes to improve students' learning possibilities. The governor and some lawmakers realize it won't be easy to meet the cost of these projects without cutting programs or raising taxes -- each prospect likely to be detrimental to their political careers -- and conclude that the voters must not have known what they were approving. So, give the voters another chance to negate their approvals -- and thus ease the leaders' fiscal headaches. It's a fascinating idea. And since we voters elected the governor and these legislators without all the facts -- such as knowing how they would resolve the financing issues -- shouldn't we have the candidates back on the ballot, too, to afford us another decision on their fitness for office?
Governor should support Constitution The voters have voted solidly for high-speed rail and for the amendment to reduce class sizes. In my opinion, the governor has broken his oath of office by refusing to uphold the Constitution and should be thrown from office. Just because he does not like the way the people have asked him to govern does not give you the right to ignore them. Although the rail amendment may have been passed with more enthusiasm than thought, it does not mean that it can be ignored. The people are not idiots, and are well aware that the class size and the rail amendments are expensive, and are willing to pay for them. What part of his constitutional obligation does the governor not understand?
Voters should know the costs Re: A disgraceful hour, editorial, March 5. Two years ago, I voted yes to the high-speed rail initiative. This past year, I voted no to the class size amendment. Because of this, you would think that I would be teetering on both sides of the fence when it comes to Jeb Bush's insistence on revoting for these projects. Despite my opposite voting preferences on these issues, I am actually all for revoting on these issues with clear plans in place on how they will be paid for. That is why we also passed an amendment in this past election stating that future amendments need to include a price tag and explain where the money is coming from. Allowing voters to blindly vote for something such as the class size amendment or even the high-speed rail initiative is foolish. It isn't devious of the governor to insist on this; it is responsible.
We need to pay for government Re: State of the State. Barbara Bush needs to box her son Jeb's ears. Obviously he is getting too big for his britches. Even though power comes with the office of governor, he still has to answer to the people of Florida. Just like other voters, I don't like to pay taxes; I have never liked to pay taxes. However, I recognize the necessity for citizens to pay to support their government, whether it be city or state. Because taxes are so unpopular, Jeb Bush is counting on the voters to rescind the high-speed rail and smaller class size initiatives, rather than pay more in taxes to get them. Since it is against his philosophy and agenda to have a tax increase, wouldn't he be surprised if the voters were to vote in a tax increase?
Lawmakers should protect taxpayers Re: A disgraceful hour. I strongly object to your March 5 editorial in regard to constitutional amendment process. This process is so flawed that it proves time and again that it cries for change. Other states that allow for the amending of their constitutions have checks and balances in the process. The average voter has very little understanding of what these amendments mean or will cost them. In the class size amendment the Democrats lied about the cost and the effect that it would have on our state's economy, and the news media never spelled out for the voter what it would mean to them. If the high-speed rail amendment had been on the last ballot for a second time, it would have been defeated overwhelmingly. The voters now know the cost of that vote. Therefore it is the Legislature's responsibility to protect the taxpayers of our state until we can amend this process so that it will work effectively. While it is important that citizens should have a voice in our Constitution, it should be an extensive process that protects the state's people from special interest groups. The way this is now being accomplished does nothing but trivialize our state Constitution.
The governor's disdain It was predictable: Jeb Bush is attempting to scuttle Amendment 9. He started out years ago with his tax cutting. This latest move underfunds the clear demand of Floridians to improve state educational performance. If we want to improve schools and leave no child behind, it is going to take money. Bush shows disdain for this, somewhat like the other Bush shows disdain on a national scale. In voting for Amendment 9, people were saying, "Let's get on with it and do what we have to do." Jeb Bush is still squirming on the issue. It is up to the people who voted overwhelmingly to reduce class sizes to hit back at the governor. We don't need a mean-spirited attitude toward giving our kids the best education Florida can offer.
Don't forget the arrogance Re: A disgraceful hour, Mar. 5. The only appropriate adjective missing from the editorial in describing the content of Gov. Jeb Bush's State of the State message was the word "arrogance." This governor has decided to throw a hissy fit because he cannot get his own way to privatize government completely and reduce taxes to a deficit expenditure level for education. His arrogance is in his expectation that Florida citizens will reverse Amendment 9 so he won't have to refuse to carry out its provisions and, thereby, violate the state Constitution which he -- along with the legislative members -- swore to uphold. Just about now a hairbrush in the hands of Barbara Bush is not a bad idea. In a recent letter to the editor, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd included a quote from Thomas Jefferson to the effect that citizens will tolerate only so long the unwillingness of governments to act on measures that they deem appropriate and then they will speak out in a loud and clear voice. Such is the case with the citizens of Florida and Amendment 9. Well, Mr. Speaker, why don't you pass on to the governor these writings of this founder of our nation or, better still, why don't you escort the governor to the proverbial woodshed for an open discussion on how state government is supposed to work?
Bush shows his true colors Re: Bush calls for new vote on class size, March 5. The "devious plans" have been unleashed. Gov. Jeb Bush thinks that pitting essential state services against lower class sizes will justify sending the class size amendment back to the public for another vote. Does Bush really have that little regard for the electorate, to suggest that the voters didn't realize the impact of what they were voting for? The governor spent $40-million during his race for re-election, primarily campaigning against the class size amendment and grossly exaggerating its cost. Despite his inflated figures, the voters passed it by a comfortable margin. Governor, you made sure that the citizens of Florida knew exactly what they were voting for and what it would cost. And they said, bring it on! Jeb Bush has shown his true colors once again. What he believes and wants is far more important than what the citizens of Florida and the Legislature believe or want. So evidently we will vote again and again until he gets the result he desires. Dictators use the same tactics to assure the outcomes they prefer.
A plan with some potential Re: Bush calls for new vote on class size, March 5. The governor may be right about us changing our minds. And while we're at it, let's be sure to include a vote on: 1. A new governor. 2. Tax breaks for the wealthy. 3. Every Republican elected . 4. Jeb Bush's environmental plan (or lack thereof). Hey, Governor, I'm beginning to like this devious plan of yours!
Let's correct the real error Re: Bush calls for new vote on class size, March 5. I agree with Jeb Bush that the voters made a huge mistake, but it was not in approving amendments. Let's vote again and correct the real error. Bush proved, to paraphrase Lincoln, that "You can fool enough of the people enough of the time to get re-elected." Bush is using the class size amendment as a foil on which to blame all his self-generated fiscal problems and to justify robbing the trust funds to pay unrelated expenses. He has ruined the higher education governance amendment by stacking the board with political toadies. He continues to practice educational governance quackery by holding to his ridiculous notion of using the FCAT, however valid as a single measure, to make all decisions for children. This is as dangerous to education as a quack doctor's insistence that a single diagnostic tool, however valid in itself, can be used to make all medical decisions. The voters passed up the chance to replace Jeb Bush with an honest, principled and capable man. By all means, let's give them another chance!
Maybe we could revisit 2000, too Re: Bush calls for new vote on class sizes. The governor wants to test the presumption that -- "with all the information in hand" -- citizens might vote differently if the reset button is pushed. Now, there's an intriguing idea. If he gets his wish, perhaps, while we're at it, we could also revote to clarify the little mess Florida made in that November 2000 election. With our new touch screens, we'd be unencumbered with "chads" and confusing "butterfly ballots." The result wouldn't have to be binding, but it sure would be interesting. You know, if not so selectively applied, and if the people were to have a voice in deciding what gets on the ballot, the idea does have a certain appeal. "Election do-overs": It's a bold concept!
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