The Rick Scott economy is working… for the wealthy. New US Census figures show that poverty remains high in the Sunshine State. One out of every six Floridians was living in poverty last year, including one out of every four children according to census data. To make matters worse, as I have written for the squeeze in the past year, economists are now agreeing that much of the job gains in Florida under Rick Scott have been in low wage positions that do not provide enough income to help lift those families out of poverty.High rental rates in the Sunshine State is another big problem when a single parent making the minimum wage can hardly (if at all) make enough income to pay their basic bills. Charlie Crist released a plan in the last few weeks to increase the minimum wage and expand medicaid which will bring much needed relief to those families that are struggling under Governor Scott’s top down approach to the economy. Rick Scott on the other hand, is constantly pushing for more tax breaks and incentives for corporations, however the jobs created from such measures are not paying enough to make progress in lifting folks out of poverty. In fact, Burger King, a Florida based company ignored these incentives and is relocating to Canada. If we are going to build an economy fit for the future, we must think in the long term- investing more in education, raising the minimum wage, lowering property taxes and insurance rates, and expanding medicaid. Its an imperative that voters see the differencein the economic approaches of Crist and Scott. It’s clear that Crist has the big picture and middle class in mind whereas Scott continues to prove that the success of the wealthy and corporations are of his concern and in the best interest of our state even when the economics doesn’t support him. – JS @JustinSnyderFL
Scotland’s referendum results were not a victory for Prime Minister Cameron or Westminster. The promises made by the “No” campaign in the final weeks before the election ensure that Scotland’s relationship with Westminster will never again be the same. Furthermore, devolved powers are quite possibly going to be demanded by different parts of England, including the industrial cities of the north that have regularly had to look to Brussels for help when the Conservative run the UK Government. Still a full 45% of the Scottish electorate wanted to break with the UK, no doubt partly due to the continued feeling that Tory Governments are run by conservatives from around London and rural parts of southern England which have little in common with Scotland which tends to be a left-of-center nation. – KK @kkfla737
I’m one of those who actually likes to vote in person. While I do occasionally take advantage of early voting, I like to take my kids into the voting booth and have that essential discussion that parents should have with kids on why we vote. However, this year seems to be the year the Democrats have finally got the memo that absentee voting is the way to go. I have had more canvassers simply show up and ask if would request and absentee ballot than actual canvassers for candidates. While this is probably a good thing, I’m still slightly agitated that they are trying to change my behavior. Emails from local DEC, emails from FDP, emails from Charlie Crist, emails from local candidates, Amendment 2 advocates knocking on my door – while this gives me a little hope for the election, can’t we make a note in the voter file that I just like to vote in person? Is this not okay anymore? I like the ceremony of it, the same old man who checks my ID, and the little old ladies who show me how to slip it into the machine. While I know some states have done away with voting in person all together, it seems like this is a special part of history that we need to remember. I know, I know, it’s a good thing for November and it’s the only way the Democrats are going to get ahead, but I still want my little voting booth and my sticker. While it isn’t much of a holiday, National Voter Registration Day is on Tuesday, so this is a simple PSA to register to vote! While most of those that read this blog I’m sure are registered, please make sure your friends and family are registered by October 6th or they won’t be able to vote in November. According to all indicators, this race will be close and could very well be decided by a few hundred votes, so pester your loved ones! – KB@BurnettKaty
David Beckham has been struggling to get a stadium built in Miami-Dade County. Last week the Fort Lauderdale Strikers were sold to a Brazilian investment trio worth close to $1 billion. The Strikers new owners were quick to state that they look forward to a lively local derby with Beckham’s club should it get off the ground but made it clear that they plan to invest heavily in the club. A well-funded neighboring club is not what Beckham or Miami-Dade County officials wanted to see as they are struggling to secure a site for a new MLS Stadium. It will be interesting to watch how the Strikers sale impact Beckham’s plans. The City of Fort Lauderdale had long had said they were happy to speak to Beckham, Mayor Jack Seiler announced on Friday he is no longer interested in speaking to Beckham with long-term future of the Strikers who are based within the city limits now secure. It must be recalled that the previous MLS club in the region played in Fort Lauderdale, not Miami and many experts believe that Broward County is a better location for a professional soccer club than Miami-Dade. In the interest of full disclosure, I currently serve as the play-by-play voice for the broadcast of Fort Lauderdale Strikers home games and formerly served as the Communications Director for the North American Soccer League (NASL) where both the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies play. The Jacksonville Armada joins the NASL next season. – KK @kkfla737
The Climate March was a momentous global event. However, the US media obsessed with ISIS, the NFL and celebrity gossip hardly gave the global movement justice. While some coverage was afforded to the Climate March in the US, far greater coverage was given in the UK, Australian and European press. This is a further sign of the trivialization of TV news and newspapers in the USA. In the UK for example newspapers are clearly tabloids or not and every papers political bent is well-known and even promoted. But here in the United States, with the exception of FOX News, MSNBC, The New York Post and the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, the political bent or biases of news reporting entities is not well-known. It is entirely possible an effort to minimize the important of climate change and environmental issues in general is part of a larger media effort. Or perhaps it just is not sexy enough to sell papers and drive Neilson ratings. – KK @kkfla737
The Florida Squeeze 
Absentee Voting or Vote by Mail is the best way to vote. You get your ballot one month before the election, and this gives you time to research all of the candidates and ballot initiatives. You may know who you are going to vote for in the top ticket races, such as the Governor and Congressional races, but you may not know about everyone on the ballot such as the Judaical races. Voting by mail is easy, because you do not have to go to your poling location, find a parking space, and wait on line. It only costs you a postage stamp to mail it back. If you feel that you need to vote in person, please early vote before November 4th. Early voting starts on October 25 and runs for eight days. Check on your county’s Supervisor of Elections website for dates, times, and locations.It is no less patriotic to Vote by Mail or Early Vote, than voting on Election Day. It would be terrible if a personal emergency came up on Election Day and you could not vote at all. Please Vote by Mail or Early Vote.
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I know, I know, I mean, I know I’m a political science student. But I just like going into the booth.
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You can go into the voting booth if you early vote. Please early vote.
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Excellent work Justin! You are learning.
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Thanks for the patronizing compliment. How’s y’all’s blog going? Oh… Wait.
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Welcome back Minister of Propoganda.
You were per a little birdie I know let go by the NASL because you gave practical, pragmatic advice. But now you’ve reverted to your MOP rhetoric ways of the breakaway owners. Beckham could care less what the Strikers do. Do you really believe if he approaches Seiler, he will actually say ” No Becks we don’t want to talk to you because we have some shady Brazilians in town.”
Please! Another shady Traffic deal. Seems like you want your old job back, Kartik! Thought you had wised up but now you are reverting to form, hating on MLS and hitting Beckham. You did and said the right things in 2012 and 2013 but have become a Kool Aid drinker again in 2014. So sad!
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Um no, I don’t know who you are but can venture a guess. BTW, I have expanded on my thoughts in this article. I didn’t pick the headline so that may be why it is confusing. The editor over there did.
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/21/beckhams-miami-fc-deal-complicated-by-strikers-sale/
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Typical drivel.
Look it is great the Strikers have some $$$ now. Anyone is better than that turkey Davidson running a team. But these guys are not going to deter Beckham or MLS. What has happened in every other market that MLS has poached from NASL or USL?
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Seattle, Portland and Vancouver were all established USL sides playing at a high level in D2 whose ownership wanted MLS.
Montreal was a founding member of the NASL (as was Vancouver, who actually signed off on my hiring in December 2009) and Mr. Saputo and the ownership group in MLS is the same exact group as NASL. Then let’s look at Orlando where Phil Rawlins took a D3 team and went to MLS with additional investors…no competition there.
New York where Man City and the Yankees have set up shop is competing with a NY Cosmos team that plays in the coffin corner of the metro area away from its traditional fan base and had not even kicked a ball in its rebirth when the NYCFC project was announced. Atlanta has weak ownership and it was easy for the MLS to poach that market. (IF I were the Minister of Propaganda as you claim I would not admit either of these things would I? )
With this sale of the Strikers, you have an established brand, playing in the center of the metro area in the same place the historic team did. With Beckham’s teams years away from taking the field and the Strikers now cash rich, the circumstances are completely different around this market.
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But you guys vs about deny that Crist’s approach cost us jobs and his constant attacks on the insurance companies will poison the climate for business in the state.
His insurance scheme even when he was governor as an alleged Republican smacks of socialism.
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Crist’s campaign has tried to tell the economic story but Scott’s slick ads are preventing him from getting his message out in the Tampa Bay Area.
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Kartik, I would really love to see a Florida-centric Soccer blog from you and guys like you, covering Tampa, Orlando, Jax and FTL along with a Miami team if it ever happens. Just a thought =)
Also, FTL makes so much sense for MLS considering the easy convergence of the Turnpike, 95, and 75 connecting South Florida along with SW Florida. The future AAF trainstop would be great for it too.
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That was The Kartik Report which I had to fold when I took the NASL Communications job in late 2009. At the time we had one pro team in the state and one other announced. Time is right to bring it back which I will explore!
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Please do! Love the growth of American soccer coverage but it’s very Cascadia centric (for good reason) and needs more regional outlets.
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The corporate media has nothing to gain by reporting on climate change. Their clients have a lot to lose.
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I hope you guys don’t fall for the scam. Crist is a Rep posing as a Dem. Wolf in sheep clothing. It’s a plan by the Reps for a long time now. Stop and don’t be duped. The only option we have is voting for Adrian Wyllie. At least he will veto all the bills from the Reps. It’s our only alternative until next election. Spread the word and quick while we still have some time. You have been warned.
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Yeah… Wyllie is polling at 7% last I saw. Yeah, he’s not a viable candidate, simply playing spoiler and a vote for him is a complete waste.
Plus, I have no patience for Libertarians.
Sorry, not sorry.
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Beckham’s team is all but dead. It’s not happening.
They are grasping at straws, unless they are willing to play outside Miami.
As Kartik says Fort Lauderdale has ALWAYS been the better spot for soccer. Other sports may do better in Miami, but Browards ethnic mix with lots of immigrants from the English-speaking Caribbean and ex-pats from Britain are a big reason why. The stereotype about Hispanics doesn’t work in Miami because either they are Cubans (anti-soccer) or the rich upper class from soccer mad countries who don’t buy tickets to games to sit with the masses.
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I am not sure about other sports. I suppose they do better in Miami but I don’t really follow them. Soccer however has ALWAYS done better in Broward, at least the American professional game has. When national teams from Latin America or fancied club sides from Europe come to Miami they can draw well (though many of the fans are from Broward and Palm Beach I suspect) but the pro club game has always failed down there. Also Brazilians tend to live in Broward and Palm Beach and they are more likely to embrace the local club game than the rich Hispanics from Dade you speak of.
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