Rick Scott's police state

[JamesInFlorida]

A "police state" is a little extreme. With that said Rick Scott is really digging himself a pretty big hole. He barely won the race against Sink to begin with, and now his approval ratings are really tanking.

As a side note, blocking off the villages seems like a dumb move on his part. It has TONS of residents, you have to be 55+ to move in, and most of them are much older than that, and white. The people who vote for Rick Scott in the first place, and are more likely to vote than the younger generations. Forget about whether he was allowed to or not-barring them was a stupid move.

 

[asterism]

From wikipedia:

so please explain the correlation.....

Removing people that have a legitimate right to be in a public area while THEIR governor addresses a piece of legislation presented to him by the voters of THEIR state is certainly exercising rigid and repressive control over the social, economic, and political life of the population.

The area was private. Did Obama allow a group of angry Republicans to be in the White House when he signed healthcare reform?

 

[asterism]

Yesterday, our Toad in Chief vetoed all kinds of programs that were popular: vets programs, whooping cough vaccines for the poor, etc....not unexpected but I thought this was very telling. I'm pretty sure these people are seniors that were strong armed out of a public place (The Villages is a Senior Community, I believe)

Rick Scott vetoes record $615m from budget - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

They can't handle dissent..

[youtube]0Q7XH8lfGMc[/youtube]​

They woulda ate that guy alive, had the police not been there.

We've seen 'em threatening to kick people out over questions about medicare.. Blocking certain members of the media out of public news conferences.. And now this..

BTW, isn't Rick Scott the guy that wants to make drug tests madatory for anyone on food stamps (he has a stake in the company they would buy the testing kits from :|), but is against having a database of drug users (oxycottin and the like)?.. And now this bill, aimed at the poor of Florida?.. This guy worships at the altar of corporatism.. And Floridans don't like it; as evidenced by his dismal approval ratings.

Rick Scott is the guy that wants to profit off of drug testing people that work for the state or receive benefits.

Anyway, I have done a little research, and the Villages is a disney-esque retirement village that is privately owned and enjoys huge tax breaks.

So while Governor Toad could keep the general public from attending his event he cannot, IMO, keep residents of the Villages from attending. But that is what he did, with the help of the sheriff's office.

Disney-esque? Clearly your research is a bit flawed. What are the huge tax breaks?

 

[JamesInFlorida]

They can't handle dissent..

[youtube]0Q7XH8lfGMc[/youtube]​

They woulda ate that guy alive, had the police not been there.

We've seen 'em threatening to kick people out over questions about medicare.. Blocking certain members of the media out of public news conferences.. And now this..

BTW, isn't Rick Scott the guy that wants to make drug tests madatory for anyone on food stamps (he has a stake in the company they would buy the testing kits from :|), but is against having a database of drug users (oxycottin and the like)?.. And now this bill, aimed at the poor of Florida?.. This guy worships at the altar of corporatism.. And Floridans don't like it; as evidenced by his dismal approval ratings.

Rick Scott is the guy that wants to profit off of drug testing people that work for the state or receive benefits.

Anyway, I have done a little research, and the Villages is a disney-esque retirement village that is privately owned and enjoys huge tax breaks.

So while Governor Toad could keep the general public from attending his event he cannot, IMO, keep residents of the Villages from attending. But that is what he did, with the help of the sheriff's office.

Disney-esque? Clearly your research is a bit flawed. What are the huge tax breaks?

Don't you just love people commenting on places they've never been to before?

Plus, there's so many people in central florida who get very nice ag tax breaks on their property. So it's not like those in the villages are getting special benefits others don't.

 

[asterism]

Rick Scott stole 1.7 billion, minimum, from Medicare. Wonder how much he will steal from Florida?

He did no such thing.

This story grows wilder and more inaccurate every time I see it posted.

The asshole should be in Leavenworth, not the governor's mansion. Just shows what 'Conservatives' admire in people.


However, federal investigators found that Scott took part in business practices at Columbia/HCA that were later found to be illegal -- specifically, that Scott and other executives offered financial incentives to doctors in exchange for patient referrals, in violation of federal law, according to lawsuits the Justice Department filed against the company in 2001.

The doctor payments were among 10 different kinds of fraud identified by the Justice Department in its 10-year probe of the company, records show. Three years after Scott left Columbia/HCA, the company admitted wrongdoing, pleading guilty to 14 felonies -- most committed during Scott's tenure -- in addition to paying two sets of fines totaling $1.7 billion.



Read more: Rick Scott and his role in Columbia/HCA scandal - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

That's a very valid point. Unfortunately the choice for governor last year was a right of center swindling con artist and a left of center financial moron. Alex Sink's record as CFO is dismal.

 

[asterism]

Rick Scott is the guy that wants to profit off of drug testing people that work for the state or receive benefits.

Anyway, I have done a little research, and the Villages is a disney-esque retirement village that is privately owned and enjoys huge tax breaks.

So while Governor Toad could keep the general public from attending his event he cannot, IMO, keep residents of the Villages from attending. But that is what he did, with the help of the sheriff's office.

Disney-esque? Clearly your research is a bit flawed. What are the huge tax breaks?

Don't you just love people commenting on places they've never been to before?

Plus, there's so many people in central florida who get very nice ag tax breaks on their property. So it's not like those in the villages are getting special benefits others don't.

It's funny when they just make shit up and call it "research."

 

[editec]

Removing people that have a legitimate right to be in a public area while THEIR governor addresses a piece of legislation presented to him by the voters of THEIR state is certainly exercising rigid and repressive control over the social, economic, and political life of the population.

It's not a "public area." It was private property.

It loses its "private" property status when the Governor elects to use that land as a platform upon which he conducts the PUBLIC's business, BriPat.

Its a nice legalistic rationalization to hold a PUBLIC press conferences on private land so you can eliminate the public you don't want there.

But its unethical and an affront to the concept of this democratic republic to play that game.

 

[Toro]

That's a very valid point. Unfortunately the choice for governor last year was a right of center swindling con artist and a left of center financial moron. Alex Sink's record as CFO is dismal.

I saw McCollum and Sink operate up close. I used to dislike McCollum back in the 90s but I did a complete 180 and wanted him as governor, including over Sink. But why was Sink's record as CFO dismal?

 

[Toro]

Rick Scott stole 1.7 billion, minimum, from Medicare. Wonder how much he will steal from Florida?

He did no such thing.

This story grows wilder and more inaccurate every time I see it posted.

The asshole should be in Leavenworth, not the governor's mansion. Just shows what 'Conservatives' admire in people.


However, federal investigators found that Scott took part in business practices at Columbia/HCA that were later found to be illegal -- specifically, that Scott and other executives offered financial incentives to doctors in exchange for patient referrals, in violation of federal law, according to lawsuits the Justice Department filed against the company in 2001.

The doctor payments were among 10 different kinds of fraud identified by the Justice Department in its 10-year probe of the company, records show. Three years after Scott left Columbia/HCA, the company admitted wrongdoing, pleading guilty to 14 felonies -- most committed during Scott's tenure -- in addition to paying two sets of fines totaling $1.7 billion.



Read more: Rick Scott and his role in Columbia/HCA scandal - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

These are all true. However,

1. This was all known but Floridians voted for him anyways
2. He will never be President because of this.

 

[AVG-JOE]

I'm really glad to see that

The Florida voters got what they asked for.....just like when they gave us George Bush

It's not what THIS Florida voter asked for. It actually surprised me when that crook won.

 

[Toro]

And none of it is restricted area for the people who live there. The people kicked out live there.

I don't know about that. I'm sure certain parts of it can be rented by outside parties. However, the claim that it's a "public venue" is clearly false.

Who claimed it was a public venue? Hint: no one.

Gov. Scott’s office is now dealing with the backlash from the removal of Democrats at this week’s budget signing and robocalls supporting the veto of millions intended for hometown projects.

By Aaron Sharockman and Marc Caputo
Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

THE VILLAGES -- A day after some Democrats were removed from Gov. Rick Scott’s budget signing by sheriff’s deputies because the event was “private,” a Scott spokesman tried to deflect blame by claiming that Scott’s office ordered no one out.

Only that’s not true.

A reporter for The St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald witnessed the entire incident. Here’s what happened:

The $69.1 billion budget signing took place in a town square owned by The Villages Community Development District, which functions as the community’s government. The space, however, is leased to The Village’s corporate developer. And in this case, it was subleased by the Republican Party of Florida, said Barbara Vesco, director of entertainment and special events for The Villages.

Scott staffers dressed in dark suits and wearing black ear pieces summoned Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies. They told the deputies that the state budget signing was a private event and that a group of Democrats standing or sitting in the last two rows of the audience must leave.

Deputies went to tell the group to leave. The Democrats mentioned how the event was described as being open to the public in the local newspaper, The Villages Daily Sun. “Well, I don’t read that paper,” the deputy responded.

The group of Democrats then said it was unfair that they were being singled out.

“You all are preaching to the choir,” the same deputy told them. “I’m doing what I’m told.”

The deputies received their instructions from Russ Abrams, a $60,000-a-year special assistant to Scott. When a Herald/Times reporter approached Abrams to ask why some people were being asked to leave, Abrams said: The budget signing was “a private event.” When asked more questions, Abrams said: “I don’t need to talk to the press,” and then, “I don’t have anything to say.”


Read more: Scott’s office denies removing Democrats from budget signing - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

This is a problem, and the optics are bad.

Everyone realizes that Scott has a political persuasion, but he is the governor of Florida, not the governor of a minority of Florida. Maybe I'm wrong but I can't ever remember Bush or Crist or Chiles turning a budget signing into a blatantly partisan event. The budget affects everyone, not just a cohort of diehard supporters.

He's a raw rookie in politics and he's acting like it. His poll numbers would be down regardless, but at a 29% approval rating, its no wonder he's polling at all-time lows.

 

[Toro]

I'm really glad to see that

The Florida voters got what they asked for.....just like when they gave us George Bush

It's not what THIS Florida voter asked for. It actually surprised me when that crook won.

It didn't surprise me. Enough people were angry at Obama in 2010 that even if God had run as a Democrat, they wouldn't have voted for Him.

 

[AVG-JOE]

I doubt any of the rightwingloons will be shocked at his behavior. He's pretty much becoming Mr. Big Government.

Thankfully the Republicans are also pissed off at him.

The guy is really a toad, there's just no sugarcoating it.

"Sugar"coat?

Both telling and poignant.

Google Search: US Sugar & Political Contributions

The Florida brothers who own US Sugar Corp consider Rick Scott to be one of their many political whores on retainer.

 

[AVG-JOE]

police state? I felt pretty free in Key West over the last week.

Resident or visitor?

Unfortunately, it makes a difference.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Yesterday, our Toad in Chief vetoed all kinds of programs that were popular: vets programs, whooping cough vaccines for the poor, etc....not unexpected but I thought this was very telling. I'm pretty sure these people are seniors that were strong armed out of a public place (The Villages is a Senior Community, I believe)

Members of The Villages Democratic Club were barred from the budget signing by Scott staffers who said the outdoor event in The Villages town square was “private.” Other staffers and Republican operatives scoured the crowd and had Sumter County sheriff’s deputies remove those with anti-Scott signs or liberal-looking pins and buttons. They escorted more than a dozen people off the property.

Rick Scott vetoes record $615m from budget - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

Looks like he's taking a page from Dubya's playbook. Only represent one side.

That sums up the problem pretty well. It's all about the 5 figure PAC checks.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Looks like he's taking a page from Dubya's playbook. Only represent one side.

Yeah, not like those Democrats who always present the Republican side of the issue.

BOTH sides are disgusting examples of how kids should NOT behave.

"Leadership". Yeah, right. Fine example.

 

[Poli_Sigh]

Looks like he's taking a page from Dubya's playbook. Only represent one side.

Yeah, not like those Democrats who always present the Republican side of the issue.

Well someone has to - eventually. Of course, that's presuming Republicans have a side, rather than just an agenda.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Yesterday, our Toad in Chief vetoed all kinds of programs that were popular: vets programs, whooping cough vaccines for the poor, etc....not unexpected but I thought this was very telling. I'm pretty sure these people are seniors that were strong armed out of a public place (The Villages is a Senior Community, I believe)

Members of The Villages Democratic Club were barred from the budget signing by Scott staffers who said the outdoor event in The Villages town square was “private.” Other staffers and Republican operatives scoured the crowd and had Sumter County sheriff’s deputies remove those with anti-Scott signs or liberal-looking pins and buttons. They escorted more than a dozen people off the property.

Rick Scott vetoes record $615m from budget - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

His people removing people from the signing was wrong.

That said, what is your evidence of a police state? The fact that he cut government spending?

That pretty much sums it up - it's not necessarily what he cut, it's the 'fuck you' politics that he brings to everything and the sweet-heart deals he makes with campaign contributors.

 

[AVG-JOE]

From the article:

“The governor communicated numerous priorities during session, and we did our best to accommodate him. It would have been helpful if the governor had shared this new found emphasis with us before the budget was finalized.”

In his speech Thursday, Scott omitted many of the serious-sounding programs he cut: homeless veterans, meals for poor seniors, a council for deafness, a children’s hospital, cancer research, public radio, whooping-cough vaccines for poor mothers, or aid for the paralyzed.

(Emphasis added)

This is the most telling paragraph in the story:

Members of The Villages Democratic Club were barred from the budget signing by Scott staffers who said the outdoor event in The Villages town square was “private.” Other staffers and Republican operatives scoured the crowd and had Sumter County sheriff’s deputies remove those with anti-Scott signs or liberal-looking pins and buttons. They escorted more than a dozen people off the property.

Since when is politics in America a "private" affair?

As for representation of this average FL voter, Lord knows that the FL budget needs work but, like the national budget - How the hell can we know what's available for ANY spending until first we address the unfair and bullshit tax codes we live under?

 

[editec]

Ave-Joe gets it.

When a public official is making public policy known, the concept of private property flies out the window.

If the owner of the private property doesn't like it, then they ought NOT allow the public official to use their land as a platform to conduct the PUBLIC's BUSINESS.