And Florida Dems wonder why the state legislature holds a Republican majority?
For voters in five of seven Space Coast legislative districts, the 2006 elections are over.
State Senators Mike Haridopolos R-Melbourne and Bill Posey R-Rockledge are running unopposed as well as Republican State Representatives Ralph Poppell (District 29-Vero Beach), Stan Mayfield (District 80-Vero Beach) and Thad Altman (District 30-Melbourne).
This was one bad election cycle to run as an incumbent.
The weight of the world just lifted off the shoulders of these guys at the close of campaign filing July 21, 2006.
Due to the lack of an opposing candidate, whether a Republican challenging the seat or an opposing political party hoping to take the seat, whether Democrat, Libertarian, or Mickey Mouse Club member, we the voters become the big losers.
These guys will not be forced to run for reelection, to get out there and really hear the voices of their constituency. With no opposition, we the voters will not hear the philosphy and new ideas of others, and in particular, the views of other political parties.
This is why the state legislature remains brain-dead to the needs of Florida citizens.
All we get to hear is the same old Republican b---s--- that the Florida Space Coast has bathed themselves in for years like a bad mud bath. These views are the expression of a cult-like mantra that has given Florida away to the conservative movement.
Once you've heard one view long enough, that's the view spewed verbatim. Brainwashing 101.
"I love the campaign," said Rep. Mitch Needelman-R (Melbourne), the only local lawmaker with two November opponents, a write-in and Democrat.
"It's an opportunity to open up, listen, debate and discuss," he said. "It's disappointing that not all of us have an opportunity to do that." (Florida Today, July 22, 2006).
Fortunately, Floridians were awake enough to establish term limits for state held seats.
Unfortunately, these elected officials have a head start in reestablishing a Republican majority at the State House.
Not a great start for the "State of the State".
Meaning...
The State of Florida needs real change. As in overhaul. We have a chance to clean house, to boot the bums out!
Allowing incumbents to run unopposed is a certain guarantee that we Floridians can expect more of the same.
Democrat Tim Shipe this week dropped a "symbolic" effort against U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon.
"I found out to get 5,000 signatures or $10,000 was not doable, and I was trying to run just to get ideas out there," said Shipe, a 43-year-old Catholic high school teacher from Ohio. "I think Florida would benefit by having more debate, more discussion, more different types of people running." (Florida Today, July 22, 2006).With Shipe's departure, the race for House District 15 drops to a two-way race.
This election cycle is our chance, Florida, to reclaim Paradise Lost.
FINALLY, we can rid ourselves of Jeb Bush and give this state one hard core colonic necessary to cleanse the intestinal fortitude required to stomach the Double Dose of Bush we in Florida have endured.
But the Space Coast really blew it.
No Exlax for you.