It looks like my message (June 8, below) to Representative Marco Rubio might have been heard. This recent Miami Herald
story reports some progress. Even so, the crafty work of lobbyists is evident in protecting their giant
clients interests while sticking it to those who are locked in to their insurance and cannot change
companies. Will we ever be free from lobbyists?; campaign finance reform is critical.
BY BEATRICE E. GARCIA
bgarcia@MiamiHerald.com
By most measures, the insurance bill lawmakers passed Friday is consumer
friendly. But there are a few provisions in the new law that make insurers happy -- and
some they really don't like. Insurers, especially companies with national operations,
aren't thrilled that the state will prohibit the future formation of Florida-only subsidiaries
after Jan. 1, 2008. The existing subsidiaries, such as Allstate Floridian and State
Farm Insurance of Florida, are grandfathered in.
But starting next Jan. 1, these existing subsidiaries will have to include
information about the profits of their parent companies in their rate filings.
''No other state has made such a requirement,'' said Sam Miller with the
Florida Insurance Council. ``Unfortunately, the Legislature and Gov. Crist see
the industry as the enemy.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Bill Richardson moving forward
New poll figures show Governor Bill Richardson is gaining traction. If you really want to understand
this fine man, take the time to visit has website and read "About Bill". No other candidate has such a
a background. http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/about_bill?id=0007
Take the time. Do some research. Understand how this candidate is different. Tell your friends.
this fine man, take the time to visit has website and read "About Bill". No other candidate has such a
a background. http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/about_bill?id=0007
Take the time. Do some research. Understand how this candidate is different. Tell your friends.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Florida Catastrophic Insurance Reform
The Miami Herald, on January 22, 2007, quoted Florida State Congressman
Marco Rubio as saying the insurance plan being considered would lower rates.
He was quoted "having the state shoulder an unprecedented $35 billion in
insurance risk, and expanding state-run Citizens Property Insurance to
compete with private companies in high-risk areas."
This a cop out; no measures were taken which will change the way
insurance companies do business in this state. The legislature took
a gutless, side stepping measure which simply absorbs some of the
risk the insurance companies usually must assume. Big deal! Now the
State is one the hook for billions! Brilliant! Creative! Cowardly. A
shell game scam. They should be ashamed. The insurance lobby at work
again.
The insurance companies should be required to spread the risk of all
the insurance they write in the State Of Florida over their similar risk
in the entire nation; Florida should not be a separate pot. If they don't, they
cannot do business in this State. We had nothing last year; some had
floods, wild fires, snow storms, wind damage. That's the way it goes.
By amortizing risk over a greater area, everyone's rates would go down.
And what happened to the national catastrophic insurance
program?
The legislature has not challenged or controlled the insurance industry
one iota. Get some reporters on this who understand the rules of the
game, not ones who take the propaganda the legislators dish out
and call it reform. They have just shifted the risk to us. Thanks
a bunch.
Marco Rubio as saying the insurance plan being considered would lower rates.
He was quoted "having the state shoulder an unprecedented $35 billion in
insurance risk, and expanding state-run Citizens Property Insurance to
compete with private companies in high-risk areas."
This a cop out; no measures were taken which will change the way
insurance companies do business in this state. The legislature took
a gutless, side stepping measure which simply absorbs some of the
risk the insurance companies usually must assume. Big deal! Now the
State is one the hook for billions! Brilliant! Creative! Cowardly. A
shell game scam. They should be ashamed. The insurance lobby at work
again.
The insurance companies should be required to spread the risk of all
the insurance they write in the State Of Florida over their similar risk
in the entire nation; Florida should not be a separate pot. If they don't, they
cannot do business in this State. We had nothing last year; some had
floods, wild fires, snow storms, wind damage. That's the way it goes.
By amortizing risk over a greater area, everyone's rates would go down.
And what happened to the national catastrophic insurance
program?
The legislature has not challenged or controlled the insurance industry
one iota. Get some reporters on this who understand the rules of the
game, not ones who take the propaganda the legislators dish out
and call it reform. They have just shifted the risk to us. Thanks
a bunch.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Outer Space As Protected Wilderness Area
TO: The Editor, Discover Magazine
Your story "Can we survive on the moon" assumes we have the right to try.
Just because we can do something does not make it right. No one is asking
the question "Is it right to use space as we damn well please?" Do we have
the right to destroy and contaminate any celestial body just because we can?
Just because we are Americans and "Can Do!" anything? Anything except
take the time to think about what we are doing. We have no right to tear
up or disturb the moon or any other celestial body or to use any of its
minerals or resources for our own ends. All celestial bodies should
be left alone!
Space should be considered a protected wilderness area. Our universe has
existed for over 13 billion years and now, because we can, we think we
have the right to run over it like an ATVer through a protected national
forest.
It is selfish, juvenile, immature and irresponsible to charge ahead with
thinking and planning which will result in the contamination and destruction
of celestial bodies and space. NASA is so careful about not taking Earth germs
and diseases into space. Where is the concern about taking wrong headed
thinking and mayhem there? There must be an international treaty banning
the contamination and destruction which NASA and related agencies are
planning. The U.S.A. will really be the scourge of this planet when mature
and sensible people here and around the world realize the irreversible
destruction we have caused. But if we cannot support a treaty not to screw
up this planet, what chance is there of our supporting one
not to destroy the universe?
Your story "Can we survive on the moon" assumes we have the right to try.
Just because we can do something does not make it right. No one is asking
the question "Is it right to use space as we damn well please?" Do we have
the right to destroy and contaminate any celestial body just because we can?
Just because we are Americans and "Can Do!" anything? Anything except
take the time to think about what we are doing. We have no right to tear
up or disturb the moon or any other celestial body or to use any of its
minerals or resources for our own ends. All celestial bodies should
be left alone!
Space should be considered a protected wilderness area. Our universe has
existed for over 13 billion years and now, because we can, we think we
have the right to run over it like an ATVer through a protected national
forest.
It is selfish, juvenile, immature and irresponsible to charge ahead with
thinking and planning which will result in the contamination and destruction
of celestial bodies and space. NASA is so careful about not taking Earth germs
and diseases into space. Where is the concern about taking wrong headed
thinking and mayhem there? There must be an international treaty banning
the contamination and destruction which NASA and related agencies are
planning. The U.S.A. will really be the scourge of this planet when mature
and sensible people here and around the world realize the irreversible
destruction we have caused. But if we cannot support a treaty not to screw
up this planet, what chance is there of our supporting one
not to destroy the universe?
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Appeal To Florida State Govenment To Limit Growth
I live in Miami-Dade County. How can we impose rational growth on the County Government to allow for limited natural resources in South Florida? Planning and Zoning does not seem to factor in the limitations on water and usable land and
changing economic patterns, as well as changing weather patterns, in its granting of building permits. Under FL Statue 163 Concurrency, they are required to do this.
No one, including the South Florida Water Management District, has said: How many people can our water support; we will limit housing permits to that level. New development must occur on land already designated for housing. Use such land to its maximum potential because no more land will be authorized for residential use. Urban infill and redevelopment must become the standard. I am willing to give time and energy to this goal and am available to discuss it with your staff.
The government in this county is out of touch with reality and the elected officials have lost their way. Just look at the County Commission's recent rules on gathering petition signatures; it is totalitarian and denies due process; they are draconian and self serving. Help!
Sent May 31, 2007 to Director of The State Of Florida Department Of Community Affairs
To date, there has been no response.
changing economic patterns, as well as changing weather patterns, in its granting of building permits. Under FL Statue 163 Concurrency, they are required to do this.
No one, including the South Florida Water Management District, has said: How many people can our water support; we will limit housing permits to that level. New development must occur on land already designated for housing. Use such land to its maximum potential because no more land will be authorized for residential use. Urban infill and redevelopment must become the standard. I am willing to give time and energy to this goal and am available to discuss it with your staff.
The government in this county is out of touch with reality and the elected officials have lost their way. Just look at the County Commission's recent rules on gathering petition signatures; it is totalitarian and denies due process; they are draconian and self serving. Help!
Sent May 31, 2007 to Director of The State Of Florida Department Of Community Affairs
To date, there has been no response.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Thoughts On June 3 debate
The format for the debate was not good. Wolf Blitzer was too involved. Too much time spent on Irag; almost the
first 35 minutes. I'm not sure anyone heard enough new information to form an opinion on any one candidate.
Governor Richardson made his points well and drew on his experience and accomplishments to offer considered
responses. I still think he is the most experienced, capable person running. If you had to set a
training course to prepare one for the White House, you would be hard pressed to find a better path than he
has followed. He does not need on-the-job training; he's there. Twelve years in Congress, two terms as
Governor of New Mexico and Clinton's envoy to the middle east. Tell your friends. He's the only Democrat
who can win in 2008. We can't afford to send up another McGovern.
first 35 minutes. I'm not sure anyone heard enough new information to form an opinion on any one candidate.
Governor Richardson made his points well and drew on his experience and accomplishments to offer considered
responses. I still think he is the most experienced, capable person running. If you had to set a
training course to prepare one for the White House, you would be hard pressed to find a better path than he
has followed. He does not need on-the-job training; he's there. Twelve years in Congress, two terms as
Governor of New Mexico and Clinton's envoy to the middle east. Tell your friends. He's the only Democrat
who can win in 2008. We can't afford to send up another McGovern.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Will Democrats nominate a candidate who can win?
Looking at the front runners today will any of them attract enough cross over Republican or Independent votes in 2008
to win? At this moment, Governor Bill Richardson might be the only one who could do it. His experience and demeanor
put him far ahead of any other Democratic contendor. Let's see how he does on the debates tonight.
to win? At this moment, Governor Bill Richardson might be the only one who could do it. His experience and demeanor
put him far ahead of any other Democratic contendor. Let's see how he does on the debates tonight.
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