Yearly Archives: 2014
Legislative Democrats beginning to score policy successes
Last week, my colleague Justin Snyder called out the Florida Democratic Party for a lack of policy ideas. While we have seen the party itself slow to embrace the type of progressive agenda that moved voters strongly towards Florida Democrats in the 1970s, 1980s and to a lesser extent in the 1990s, many Democratic legislators […]
Is it morning again for Jeb Bush?
Jeb Bush is taking a page out of the Ronald Reagan playbook and, unlike other Republicans who cite the late President ad nauseum, the former Florida Governor is making some sense politically in both what he is saying and how he is articulating it. My view of Jeb Bush, particularly on education issues, are well-documented. As […]
The controversial past of big GOP donor Mel Sembler
Last week, Governor Rick Scott held a fundraiser at the home of Pinellas County based developer Mel Sembler. Over the course of the past two decades Sembler, his family and his companies have donated over a $1,000,000 to the coffers of various Florida Republicans or the RPOF. Sembler has long been one of the go-to […]
New comment policy on TFS
In the past several weeks while our readership has increased dramatically, we have also been forced to delete about a dozen comments which have been nasty and personal in nature about members of the legislature, activists, FDP staff and even our writers. This will not be tolerated in the future. Today we are instituting a new […]
Flashback Friday: Reagan Tax Cuts and Florida
Perhaps no piece of legislation has been more damaging to the ideal of the American dream than Ronald Reagan’s irresponsible tax cuts passed in 1981. These tax cuts sent the US economy into a deep recession and allowed Reagan to build up a bigger Federal deficit than the every previous President combined. Much of the […]
Michael Lewis’ Flash Boys and Discount Brokers Selling Out Customers
Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt A new book from Michael Lewis, “Flash Boys,” has set off a firestorm on Wall Street. Lewis, a former bond trader, has taken aim at sacred cows, vested interests and deep pocketed institutions that have gamed the system for buying and selling U.S. stocks. The primary charge in the […]
Thursday Bookshelf: New TFS Bookstore Section IPE and First Two Sumbissions: The Stock Market Is Rigged and Inequality is Result of Under-Regulated Capitalism
As we continue to grow here at The Florida Squeeze, we’ll continually be adding new features to our website. There is no question that the number one issue on the minds of Floridians, Americans and most people across the planet is the economy. If you’ve been following my work here and in other mediums and/or not […]
Bill Nelson for Governor? Always a fantasy.
In recent weeks discussion of a possible Bill Nelson candidacy for Governor has continued despite the unqualified “no” he has repeatedly given, most recently last week. The idea of a Nelson candidacy was always a fantasy though rumors of the possibility were fueled by some of the most influential voices within a desperate Democratic Party […]
Saving Florida’s springs must be a legislative priority
Few things about North Central Florida and the Panhandle are more unique and precious than the springs that populate the regions. Florida’s springs are famous around the country and not only are critical to our water supply but help stimulate the economy with ecotourism in the region. The natural beauty of the region is unique […]
The Pulp: An Open Letter To Florida Democratic Party- Where Are The Policy Ideas? Where Is The Grassroots Organization?
Dear Florida Democratic Party, I really can’t anymore. Day after day, my Twitter feed, email inbox, and Facebook newsfeed are covered with constant attacks from you against our Republican Governor Rick Scott. Whether it’s bashing him for a weak economic recovery in Florida spearheaded by the creation of minimum wage jobs, his lengthy list of […]
The Florida Squeeze 