We are in dire need of more centrist voices, and a repeal of Citizens United to get big $ out of politics.
For much of my adult life I registered as Independent as I supported fiscally conservative (responsible) policies and socially respectful values. I didn’t mind helping out those less fortunate (or having my taxes do so).
While I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I was never a fan of religious exclusivity. Perpetually observing the hatred and violence between religious groups throughout history (ex. Sunni and Shiite) one can see how extremes are divisive. Separation of church and state is a personal core principle (and supposedly part of our country’s Constitution), so having to follow another’s religious rules in life’s practice is also divisive and a large part of today’s political extremism.
This mess is particularly problematic in Tallahassee, as we worked so hard to right the ship here in Manatee.
Let’s all work together to support this county’s needs, culture dialogue, compromise and respect.
You are right on sir! My dad always said "pick your battles," and he was absolutely right! To heck with the stats, 68 is great because that's the year I graduated high school. Please stay on the right track and help get us out of this mess that has been created in Manatee County. Let the people go back to enjoying what they sought when they moved here (11 years now and NOT from the north). Let's concentrate on infrastructure, water quality, and quality of life. Prayers for common sense in our leadership and not the almighty dollar. PS Moving the county offices to a more beneficial location is a great idea - however ... the place that has been chosen is definitely a wrong choice IMHO.
I had been a registered Democrat for 49 years until last year. In order to vote in the county Republican primary last year, I switched mainly to get rid of Van Ostenbridge (my district commissioner is not up for reelection until 2026). It doesn't matter which party I am, I don't always vote party line, just wanted to make sure he was not the candidate for at-large. I won't vote for a radical on either side. Need open primaries. I want more people running that are not controlled by special interests, that are more for the citizens of our community, our nation. I wouldn't vote for DeSantis if he could run again because he has become too pro-developer which is shown be the bills he has signed. He is not helping the average citizen. To be a resilient community there needs to be regulations. By prohibiting codes with what is learned because of a storm being changed for the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens, favors developers and contractors. The Florida Building Code came about because of the destruction from Hurricane Andrew. We need to continue to make codes stronger not cave to developers whether it is land development codes, comprehensive plans or building codes
Thank you. We, the 68, are at a loss of how to keep Democracy versus oligarchy with a dictator bent on destroying the US for the greed of the rich, mostly white supremacists. They want a country of under-educated poor and them. At 78 I've seen the good and the horrors people have done. As a female, I've never experienced being this totally unimportant and fearful . The Congress and DOJ are at the knee of this President, not the citizens of the US. I will pray for you find a way to help us help our country.
Ronald Reagan's A Time for Choosing, speech is excellent. He did not say dont take sides, in fact he said choose a side! For those of you who have not see or heard of this speech, it is 29 or so minutes long and worth every bit of your time: Mr. Kruse you too may wish to refresh yourself on the principles of Common Sense within choosing sides.
Ronald Reagan's A Time for Choosing, speech is excellent. He did not say dont take sides, in fact he said choose a side! For those of you who have not see or heard of this speech, it is 29 or so minutes long and worth every bit of your time: Mr. Kruse you too may wish to refresh yourself on the principles of Common Sense within choosing sides.
Thank you Greg, I am new to substack and it is great to find like minded individuals. The two party system is flawed. I would like to discuss reform that I believe would get the wheels of change moving. I posted a brief step by step process that has worked in the past.
I wish the article would have mentioned the critical role that the rule of law plays in our system. Ignoring judicial orders goes beyond extreme. I also wish you would have mentioned the critical role that a free press, transparency, and public records play in our system. You talk about Citizens United and the harm of unlimited money - but when you have the opportunity to expose wrongdoing due to the influence of developer money, you fail to act. You fail to hold the wrong doers accountable. I will never understand how anyone that preaches ethics and insinuates they have integrity chooses to cover up the orchestrated "fraud and deceit" (per the Bradenton Times) perpetrated by the current county administration regarding the 2023 so-called "county initiated" removal of wetland buffers for the benefit of one or two developers. Manatee County has already lost priceless wetland buffers along Sarasota Bay in Carlos Beruff's 529-acre Aqua development. Add to that cost whatever future legal fees that taxpayers will pay in the fight to restore the buffers. I agree with what you say in this article (much of it comes straight from Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt) but when you coverup wrongdoing, you lose the moral high ground.
I am NOT a progressive democrat and despite what you post we do believe in kitchen table issues and helping people!
In fact i can tell you in 3 words why:
To Help People
When i see the constitution both ( US & State of Fl being trampled on, I shudder because it’s not the America my dad fought for in ww2 or my uncle in korea, or my cousin in alaska!
I agree that it’s time to bring common sense, intelligence and critical thinking back to all levels of govt!
Registered independent- great article. A great discussion would be how on wary voters can influence primaries when excluded because of that fact. I find myself hoping anyone republican or democrat that I like makes it to the ballot. If not my vote may end up being the best of the worst.
Well written and thought out
We must fix our primary system
Mike Bennett
Wow. Great piece - and a pleasant surprise.
We are in dire need of more centrist voices, and a repeal of Citizens United to get big $ out of politics.
For much of my adult life I registered as Independent as I supported fiscally conservative (responsible) policies and socially respectful values. I didn’t mind helping out those less fortunate (or having my taxes do so).
While I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I was never a fan of religious exclusivity. Perpetually observing the hatred and violence between religious groups throughout history (ex. Sunni and Shiite) one can see how extremes are divisive. Separation of church and state is a personal core principle (and supposedly part of our country’s Constitution), so having to follow another’s religious rules in life’s practice is also divisive and a large part of today’s political extremism.
This mess is particularly problematic in Tallahassee, as we worked so hard to right the ship here in Manatee.
Let’s all work together to support this county’s needs, culture dialogue, compromise and respect.
You are right on sir! My dad always said "pick your battles," and he was absolutely right! To heck with the stats, 68 is great because that's the year I graduated high school. Please stay on the right track and help get us out of this mess that has been created in Manatee County. Let the people go back to enjoying what they sought when they moved here (11 years now and NOT from the north). Let's concentrate on infrastructure, water quality, and quality of life. Prayers for common sense in our leadership and not the almighty dollar. PS Moving the county offices to a more beneficial location is a great idea - however ... the place that has been chosen is definitely a wrong choice IMHO.
I had been a registered Democrat for 49 years until last year. In order to vote in the county Republican primary last year, I switched mainly to get rid of Van Ostenbridge (my district commissioner is not up for reelection until 2026). It doesn't matter which party I am, I don't always vote party line, just wanted to make sure he was not the candidate for at-large. I won't vote for a radical on either side. Need open primaries. I want more people running that are not controlled by special interests, that are more for the citizens of our community, our nation. I wouldn't vote for DeSantis if he could run again because he has become too pro-developer which is shown be the bills he has signed. He is not helping the average citizen. To be a resilient community there needs to be regulations. By prohibiting codes with what is learned because of a storm being changed for the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens, favors developers and contractors. The Florida Building Code came about because of the destruction from Hurricane Andrew. We need to continue to make codes stronger not cave to developers whether it is land development codes, comprehensive plans or building codes
I could have written this. Glad you did George😃🇺🇸.
We are in a prison of two ideas! (Greg Gutfeld)
Thank you. We, the 68, are at a loss of how to keep Democracy versus oligarchy with a dictator bent on destroying the US for the greed of the rich, mostly white supremacists. They want a country of under-educated poor and them. At 78 I've seen the good and the horrors people have done. As a female, I've never experienced being this totally unimportant and fearful . The Congress and DOJ are at the knee of this President, not the citizens of the US. I will pray for you find a way to help us help our country.
Bravo!
Very well said. Thank you very much! I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Ronald Reagan's A Time for Choosing, speech is excellent. He did not say dont take sides, in fact he said choose a side! For those of you who have not see or heard of this speech, it is 29 or so minutes long and worth every bit of your time: Mr. Kruse you too may wish to refresh yourself on the principles of Common Sense within choosing sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBswFfh6AY
Ronald Reagan's A Time for Choosing, speech is excellent. He did not say dont take sides, in fact he said choose a side! For those of you who have not see or heard of this speech, it is 29 or so minutes long and worth every bit of your time: Mr. Kruse you too may wish to refresh yourself on the principles of Common Sense within choosing sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBswFfh6AY
Thank you Greg, I am new to substack and it is great to find like minded individuals. The two party system is flawed. I would like to discuss reform that I believe would get the wheels of change moving. I posted a brief step by step process that has worked in the past.
I wish the article would have mentioned the critical role that the rule of law plays in our system. Ignoring judicial orders goes beyond extreme. I also wish you would have mentioned the critical role that a free press, transparency, and public records play in our system. You talk about Citizens United and the harm of unlimited money - but when you have the opportunity to expose wrongdoing due to the influence of developer money, you fail to act. You fail to hold the wrong doers accountable. I will never understand how anyone that preaches ethics and insinuates they have integrity chooses to cover up the orchestrated "fraud and deceit" (per the Bradenton Times) perpetrated by the current county administration regarding the 2023 so-called "county initiated" removal of wetland buffers for the benefit of one or two developers. Manatee County has already lost priceless wetland buffers along Sarasota Bay in Carlos Beruff's 529-acre Aqua development. Add to that cost whatever future legal fees that taxpayers will pay in the fight to restore the buffers. I agree with what you say in this article (much of it comes straight from Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt) but when you coverup wrongdoing, you lose the moral high ground.
Here’s 4 #’s for you, 8647!
I am NOT a progressive democrat and despite what you post we do believe in kitchen table issues and helping people!
In fact i can tell you in 3 words why:
To Help People
When i see the constitution both ( US & State of Fl being trampled on, I shudder because it’s not the America my dad fought for in ww2 or my uncle in korea, or my cousin in alaska!
I agree that it’s time to bring common sense, intelligence and critical thinking back to all levels of govt!
But this project 25 has got to go
Registered independent- great article. A great discussion would be how on wary voters can influence primaries when excluded because of that fact. I find myself hoping anyone republican or democrat that I like makes it to the ballot. If not my vote may end up being the best of the worst.
Thanks George for this common sense information!!