Douglas C. Lyons – Senior Editorial Writer The Sun-Sentinel

February 12, 2011

Douglas C. Lyons – Senior Editorial Writer
The Sun-Sentinel
200 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

RE: Why are you chastising Governor Scott for trying to keep his campaign promises? Some comments on your column in today’s Sun-Sentinel

Mr. Lyons,

I remember when Senator Obama met the American Everyman, Joe the Plumber. He told Joe that his basic economic plan was to “spread the wealth around”. Giving the Devil his due that appears to be what he is trying to do. The only caveat here is that if all his “balloon juice” schemes are done there may not be any wealth left to spread around. As sure as “stones are hard and water is wet” you can’t make poor people rich by making rich people poor. Of course, as the great Dr. Johnson says, “Any public policy that involves robbing Peter to pay Paul will always have Paul’s support”

Speaking of campaign promises, I remember Candidate Obama saying that his election would calm the savage seas. Page 15A of your paper says that despite his siren call the oceans are not dancing to his tune. Pity. After making the tides behave I wanted him to get to work on gravity. Still, one out of two is pretty good unless you’re an airplane pilot.

I recall with warm and fuzzy feelings when Lord Barack the Beneficent told some Congressmen who dared to question his policies that there was an election and, further, that he “won”.

This was before he threatened to find some poor schlub from BP and “kick his ass”. It was after he told his more zealous fans “never bring a knife to a gun fight”. I really shouldn’t pick on him. He’s probably very tired what with his never ending quest to find those missing 7, or was it 8, states. Doubtless, one of them has that elusive dictionary, the Austrian/English one.

The people of Florida went to the polls last November and elected Rick Scott Governor.

He made promises before he was elected. He appears to be trying to keep them.

Education, for instance.

Every year I hear how bad the schools are. I never hear how bad the teachers are. I never hear how bad the administrators are. How the schools can be “bad” without the teachers and the administrators escaping collateral damage is one of those questions that assumes the laws governing gravity are only enforceable during leap years.

Every year I hear that the answer is more money. Every year they get more money. Every year they get worse.

Does anyone else see a pattern developing here?

If it ain’t broken don’t fix it. If it’s broken, and by every objective standard it is, try to fix it.

Every 2 years the voters get to correct their mistakes. Last November the voters of America began to correct the humongous, ginormous mistake made in 2008.

If the voters of Florida begin to elect more Democrats to the state legislature, if the voters of Florida turn Governor Scott out of office, perhaps the modern American Liberal karma of “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” will be restored. Until that happens your role as a “concerned columnist” will be that of a carping caterwauler.



Sincerely,


Kevin Smith – A “concerned citizen”