Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Ronald Reagan Famous Speeches - Some Lessons Learned

Tavares, FL   -  May 12, 2012

by Vance Jochim

In 1981, Ronald Reagan took office for eight years as US President, and Netflix has a DVD "President Ronald Reagan: The Great Speeches" which I just watched.

- He took over from Jimmy Carter when interest rates had gone up to 21% due to Carter's liberal spending programs (Gee, sounds like Owebama, doesn't it).   We still had the huge welfare program that continued to pay funds to low income, non-working citizens for LIFE.   

- At the time, we still had a "cold war" with the Communists in Russia, and there was a wall between East & West Berlin.    Carter had launched a botched rescue of people in Cuba which failed.

- In an early April 18 speech, Reagan says "Our Government is too big, & spends too much".

- One 1982  speech talks how Reagan's administration has transferred liberal social programs down to State governments and how interest rates have dropped to 15%, and inflation has dropped from 12.4% to 8.9%.

- Reagan discusses the harmful ideas of communists, class war and Stalin's schemes to implement Soviet doctrine and "totalitarian power".

- Reagan talks to a national organization of "Evangelicals" and discusses the need for improved morality, prayer in schools and other social conservative issues.   You don't hear that today.

- In his 1984 Acceptance speech as the Republican nominee for his second Presidential term, he talks about the recent Democratic convention in San Francisco and tells the packed Republican convention "We didn't discover our values in a poll taken just before our election, and we didn't set a weather vane on top of the Golden Gate bridge before talking about the American family..."   "Their (Democrat's) Government only sees people as members of groups (i.e. socialism or communitarianism) ... ours sees them as individuals.  "  

"Inflation was not borne on the wind as some type of plague, but it was a deliberate part of their (Democrats) official economic policy they said was needed to maintain prosperity.  They didn't tell us that with inflation would come the highest interest rates since the Civil War.    Average monthly home payments nearly doubled and home building ground to a halt.  And, who controlled both houses of government and the executive branch ... not us (Republicans).  "  

"Farmers have to fight insects,  the weather and the marketplace and they shouldn't have to fight their own government..."

"Democrats never met a tax they didn't like..."

- There are numerous famous quotes and uplifting jokes and stories, so I suggest you get the DVD from Netflix and watch it also.   Or, try CSPAN's website and they might have many of the speeches also, but maybe not the ones to private groups.

- During Reagan's 8 years, they created 19-million new jobs.

- The US was regarded by the world as the savior of "Freedom because the Berlin wall fell and the Soviet Union collapsed into separate countries.  Fear from Russian violence or nuclear war dropped significantly.  Defenses were rebuilt to "carry a big stick".  Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan.    Nuclear fears were reduced through reductions in nuclear missiles on both sides of the Atlantic.    Tax rates were cut significantly.  Family income went up the last four years of his term.  "Our first principle is to believe in ourselves."  - not big government.'   "We the people tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us... We the people are free".   "Most other governments tell people what they can do, but in the US, "We The People" tell government what it is allowed to do...".    "As government expands, Liberty contracts...".  "We have to teach history not based upon what's popular now, but what's important."  

- The best single speech is his final Farewell Address to the Nation from the Oval Office on January 11, 1989 before leaving office.  Be sure to watch it, where he talks about "We the People", comparisons of Communism vs US lifestyles, the benefits of reduced governments, Freedom, etc.

Ronald Reagan was the original Hope and Change guy who actually did it with DEEDS, not PROMISES.

vj

FiscalRangers Call to Action: STOP Gov. Scott from Applying for SNEAKY, Liberal Federal Grant

Update 1pm Wed - added more details from Kathryn Sutherlin about the high amount used for administrative expenses and lying about budget numbers.  Also, the email for Gov Scott doesn't work, and you have to wait a long time for Scott's office to answer the phone.  Update 4pm:  We added the official press release from the California Office of Early Learning which says it was SIGNED yesterday, but another source says it might not be a done deal.  Keep tuned.

Tavares, FL - Oct. 19, 2011 - Today, Wednesday, is the SURPRISE Deadline for Florida State government to apply for A STEALTH, SNEAKY Federal Grant that will over regulate one Florida industry, Child Care. I am asking you, based upon the request of a credible Lake County volunteer and the inforamtion below, to CALL Florida Governor Rick Scott TODAY to HALT any action for Florida to APPLY for the grant.  Phone call and email details are below.

The $100-million grant proposal ( Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge ) from a Florida State agency, the Florida Office of Early Learning, is an application for a STEALTH grant using Nancy Pelosi type hidden agendas and lack of details to hide another liberal program in the Child Care area that creates excess bureacracy and restrictions that hurts small Child Care businesses in Florida and makes government bigger. 

Basically, it is a stealth move to over-regulate private child care businesses in Florida without regard to costs, and expand a Florida government agency due to excessive regulation oversight requirements, which sounds like SOCIALISM to me.

The funds come from President Obama's Federal Race to the Top "Early Learning Challenge" program, and details of the Child Care related grant were not released to the industry or public until THREE days ago, which is why there is so little notice for this action alert, and is the single biggest reason Governor Scott needs to refuse to sign the grant application today.

Here are some of the negative effects of the Grant proposal and why you should ask Governor Scott to reject the Grant proposal AND fire the Government employees who championed this absurd grant request without adequate notice to the public or child care industry:

- The Grant application is HERE (see bottom of page) and it is several hundred pages of gobbeldegook and regulatory nonsense - why allow this to continue - Kill the Bill (or Grant).   Just reading the grant application can make you go blind, and is reason enough ask Governor Scott to reject this stealth grant proposal that was hidden from the public and child care industry until this last weekend.  People at the Florida "Office of Early Learning" agency filing the grant application with such disregard for the public to know the details should be fired.

- The grant gives State Agencies the authority to define child care “quality”, increases government spending, government size, and government regulatory authority while completely disregarding the needs of families, children and childcare business.  (That is the opinion of local Lake County Child Care firms).

- The grant ignores market based solutions and implements government control at the State level over even minor details, which is a veiled attempt to roll out socialism by increasing the agency size with many regulations to replace work done by the private sector.  In some places, they call this nationalizing an industry.  By forcing small businesses out of business, they allow larger, favored  businesses and non-profit agencies take over the child care industry under government controls.

Scroll down further to read the specific effects of the grant proposal on the Child Care industry.

In summary,

- Do you want the Florida State government using Federal grant money to specify how a State agency dictates how private business operates?  Didn't Governor Scott just eliminate regulations over many businesses?  In this case, the grant would specify how Early Learning Coalition (ELC) groups would dictate how private Child Care facilities operate in Florida, including review of marketing programs, internal financial documents, etc?   This is a power grab using funds from the Federal government that grow State government and reduces state rights.

- The grant proposal details were hidden from the public and industry until three days ago, and the Grant application deadline is TODAY.  That is a Nancy Pelosi trick and is one big reason not to approve the grant.    Even Lake County provides their weekly meeting agenda one week before, with most details on their website (not all, but they are improving).

- Do you want Florida State to grab Federal funding which then requires excess regulations without recognizing ANY of the added cost of regulations.   Remind Governor Scott he is against regulations on business, which alone is a reason to turn down this Stealth grant.

- If you read the details of this grant, doesn't it frighten you about how the Federal government is trying to ignore State's rights and take over the economy, one business category at a time.   By putting small businesses out of business due to excess regulations, government will grow in power, which is what the liberals and socialists love.

Note:  We called the Florida Office of Early Learning and the manager who signed the proposal, Melody Jurado at 850-921-3180 (but had to leave a message for the "application lead" to call me back to discuss this.  No response was received as of 11am, Wednesday.

Florida Governor Rick Scott's office is asking providers, parents & citizens for their immediate input…contact the Governor’s Office – CALL TODAY:    850-488-5000   THE DEADLINE IS TODAY, Wednesay, Oct. 19!  CALL NOW TO OPPOSE  the "Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant"!!!!!  You can also EMAIL your comments or use our points above to a special email address for Governor Scott just for this issue:   OEL_comments@oel.myflorida.com (Note:  This email does NOT work - don't use it but return here for any updates) .   DO IT NOW - tomorrow is too late. 

Vance Jochim

Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Chief Fiscal Watchdog

Volunteers Searching for Ways to Improve Local Government Fiscal Management, Efficiency & Effectiveness

Tavares, FL 32778

Mobile:  352-638-3578

FiscalRangers@comcast.net

www.FiscalRangers.com   

Fiscal Ranger's page on Facebook

CLICK HERE to see recommended internet links related to Local Lake County government fiscal issues.

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Here is the original email I received on the issue yesterday, Tuesday from Kathryn Sutherin, a private Child Care business owner in South County.  Kathryn is also a CPA with Big-4 experience, and is on the Audit Committee of the Lake County School District, which is where I know her from.  She is very businesslike and very analytical, so this isn't a blind, emotional request.  Many people in South Lake County know her through volunteer activities.

From: Kathryn Sutherin <kathrynsutherin@aol.com>

Sent: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 9:48 am
Subject: NEW FEDERALGRANT IS INVASIVE TO ALL CHILDCARE BUSINESS OWNERS - ACT NOW

Most of this information was taken from this website: 

http://www.faccm.org/legislativeadvocacy/position-papers/   

The details of the actual Florida State grant proposal are linked at the bottom of the page.

The Florida State Office of Early Learning State Agency has developed a grant proposal for $100 million in funding provided by the Obama Administration's Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge; with a primary focus is on children that are supported by School Readiness funds. The grant will significantly change the way that ALL childcare businesses operate.  READ HIGHLIGHTS BELOW.  

Forida Governor Rick Scott's office is asking providers, parents & citizens for their immediate input…contact the Governor’s Office – CALL TODAY:    850-488-5000   THE DEADLINE IS TODAY, Wednesay, Oct. 19!  CALL NOW TO OPPOSE  the "Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant"!!!!!  You can also EMAIL your comments or use our points above to a special email address for Governor Scott just for this issue:   OEL_comments@oel.myflorida.com (Note:  This email does NOT work - don't use it but return here for any updates)  .   DO IT NOW - tomorrow is too late.

Invasive to ALL childcare business owners!

• ELC’s (Early Learning Coalitions) will have the authority to monitor ALL childcare businesses for compliance with a State Created Quality monitoring tool even though the majority of children attend private child care centers in this state and do not receive state subsidies
• Childcare business owners must submit Profit and Loss statements, marketing plans, a formal annual budget, and financial record-keeping systems so that Coalitions can grade our business and spending decisions or receive a lower rating for non-compliance.  
• Business owners will be required to track and report even more information to ELC's; to include employee pay rates, employee turnover, and reason for leaving.  ELC’s will establish “quality” level pay scales and acceptable turnover rates for childcare businesses as part of Quality Compliance Reviews
• VPK, Private Pay Only Centers and SR Centers will all be subject to Quality Monitoring mandates; to include curriculum selection.  “Quality” compliance reports will be posted on a database for consumer review, similar to DCF compliance reports. 
• Monitoring will include a 5 star rating for compliance with TQRIS.  Childcare Business Owners will not be given the option to seek private accreditation in lieu of TQRIS.  Participation is mandatory whether a center is accredited or not.  Accredited Centers will receive a 3 subject to passing on-going ELC quality compliance visits.

Childcare Businesses will no longer be able to design their business based on consumer needs.  Instead a State agency will "mandate" the definition of quality to business owners and to families/consumers.

Financial Burden placed on the Childcare Industry & Florida’s families.

• Grant Writers failed to recognize the financial burden the proposed changes will have on Childcare Business Owners already suffering from lower enrollment due to high unemployment rates.
• “Affordability” is not a priority.  The word “affordable” is used 3 times in 45,000 words Grant Writers failed to recognize financial burden the proposed changes will have on ALL families (private pay or subsidized care) when tuition rates go up because Centers can’t afford to meet new “Quality” requirements.
• The Grant grossly underestimates the financial burden on the State.   ELC’s/OEL spent almost $200 million dollars on administration/program support and quality initiatives in 2010-2011 BEFORE proposing massive expansion and quality monitoring of ALL childcare business.   The $100 million won’t cover 6 months of our CURRENT structure let alone all the additions.

Childcare business costs will increase, and family tuition costs will increase to fund increased government size, spending and regulatory control,

No Direct Benefit to Economically Disadvantaged Families – the one’s that need it most.

• Only 101,000 children of 228,000 qualifying children received SR benefits in 2010-2011.  The proposal disregards the intent of the grant and does not offer a solution for the 140,000 qualifying children that do not receive SR funds due to waitlists. Instead, the grant extends government authority over all 907,000 children in childcare statewide

• The Grant Writers disregard low SR Reimbursement Rates.  Only 70% of total SR funding (the bare minimum required by Federal Law) went to family childcare costs.  Statewide, working poor families pay an average of $90 per week in childcare care because SR reimbursement rates are 44.8% of the average market rate. 

The grant gives State Agencies the authority to define “quality”, increases government spending, government size, and government regulatory authority while completely disregarding the needs of families, children and childcare business

            VISIT FACCM.ORG TO READ GRANT DETAILS.

Your immediate feedback is required, as deadline for submission of the grant is October, 19, 2011.

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Here is a second email sent out by Kathryn Sutherin yesterday, which apparently responds to some "talking points" from the Florida State Office of Early Learning, which is the one that created the power grab proposal:

From: "Kathryn Sutherin" <kathrynsutherin@aol.com>

Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 4:53:10 PM
Subject: response to ELC talking points

The Question of Voluntary

In the 58 page document discussing the TQRIS quality compliance review, the word "voluntary" is only mentioned 1 time, under "current status".  In the 58 page document discussing the TQRIS quality rating system, the word "optional" is only mentioned 1 time.  Programs not participating will automatically be assigned a Star 1.  If programs participate, they may earn a Star 2.  There is no discussion of "N/A" for non-participating.

You state "Childcare Industry Professionals Stand to Benefit"

The grant budget allocates to $77 million dollars to Contractors for "products and professional services" to develop of assessments and systems, including expansion of ELIS and a Platinum data base and train Agency staff. 

The grant budget allocates $19 million to Coalitions for administration and oversight of the grant. (Note 11). 

The grant budget allocates $16 million to a public awareness campaign on high quality learning.

The grant allocates $800,000 (less than 10% of the total budget) to providing technical assistance to programs that participate. 

You state "Increase the numbers of children learning in high quality settings"

To my knowledge, is there NO allocation and/or a specific plan to increase the number of children enrolled in SR even through according to NACCRRA, only 101,000 of the 228,000 qualifying children actually received SR benefits.  That's a long wait list.

To my knowledge, is there NO allocation and/or a specific plan to increase reimbursement rates.  Statewide, reimbursement rates for children preschool age and under are less than 45% of actual market rate and that the average working poor family would make more on unemployment than they would based on the current childcare subsidy.

Florida allocated 70.5% of 2010-2011 SR Funding to direct slot dollars, just a half a percent above the bare minimum Federal requirement.  There is simply NO room for additional support/administration costs.

Make targeted investments to increase support for childcare businesses and streamline regulation and accountability

While I love these words, I found only an increase in regulation and accountability and an increase in reporting requirements; to include an added level of monitoring via TQRIS and the stigma of a "1 Star" if I choose not to participate. 

While the grant has been a work in process for months, private providers were not given any public access to the contents of the grant until literally days before it's required submittal and only through organizations other than OEL/ELC's.  Therefore, I'm sure you can understand the concern and frustration that providers like myself have.

As you know, I believe strongly that the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County is without question one of the most fiscally responsible Coalitions in Florida.  My issue is with the State level decisions with respect to this grant.

Thank you again for the talking point but without more specifics I must oppose this grant.

KS

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Update - another email with more details from Kathryn Sutherlin received today, Wed. the 19th at about 1pm:

I get your message.  I've been swamped with calls as you can imagine.  Coalitions and OEL keep saying it's already signed but we have no official confirmation.

Heres a little history: 

SR Funding is Federal money with State match requirements that is supposed to be used for subsidized childcare (working poor afford to work).  OEL is the Lead State Agency that oversees School Readiness Funding.   A few years ago, they created another layer - Early Learning Coalitions (ELC's) .  There are 31 of them across the state.  It started out that they were to administer funds to providers and do eligibility for children but they've grown and grown and grown.  The more they grow, more money shifts from direct childcare subsidies to administration.

The State has been overseeing (barely) the "State Match" but not paying attention to the federal dollars.  Federal government looks at the federal requirement which includes minimum 70% of federal/state combined funds going to direct childcare subsidies.  That's great except no one looked to see whether OEL/Coalitions were spending either part efficiently.   ( A hot button with us at FiscalRangers.com )

To complicate matters, the State has been relying on OEL to self report the total combined SR funds received and how it's allocated.  Well, turns out OEL has consistently left off about $33.5 million in their "total".  OEL sat in front of Senate committee last month and reported that they had received $629 million and that only $6 million went to administration and $623 million went to Coalitions.  Well in truth, the total funding was $666 million, not $630 million.  OEL really spent $44 million (not $6 million) on "lead agency" quality/suppor/administration (and a TON of consulting).  In addition Coalitions spent roughly $154 million (out of the $623 that went to them) on administration/support and "quality" initiatives.  

I've got the details to almost the penny and I've been forwarding to House/Senate.  I even went up last Friday and met with a few staffers.  They're all floored, dismayed, etc.  But staffers can't stop the grant.  I'm told I shouldn't be upset because even if the grant is signed, there's a ton of opportunity to correct OEL/Coalition mismanagement through legislation this year.   Apparently, when the word "child" is in a sentence, all logic goes out the window.

I don't like politics.  It seems "winning" is based on everything but logic and public opinion.

I'll send you the spending spreadsheets when I get home.  You might find them of interest.  It's insane.

Kathryn

==============================================

These are comments from others sent to Kathryn:

I thought you'd be interested in the below response.   While I've tried desperately in a day - because government withheld the details for months - I can't get the message out Statewide.  Coalitions are sending out vague "talking points" that dispute real quantifiable facts and offer no substance.  The private providers who are already reliant on these agencies for VPK and SR funding, are fearful to respond at a State level.

Again, I would greatly appreciate any support that you and/or the Tea Party can offer.   

Thanks,

Kathryn

--------------------------------------------------------------

From: ANTHONY & BRENDA LOPRESTO <istation@embarqmail.com>
10/18

Sent: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 7:54 pm
Subject: Re: response to ELC talking points

Based on Mrs. Sutherins observations about the percentages of funding and its allocation to recipients, it appears that the Government agencies stand to benefit the most and less so for the children. I believe we have seen this pattern several times over the past couple of years in a variety of sectors across the country. It is my opinion based on the allocations mentioned that more priority is given to the "agencies" and "contractors" than to the children who need it most. Throwing money to "agencies" has not worked so well in the past. More regulation has continued to stifle many industries nationwide. Recent examples of recipients of Govt. monies have been political contributors more than qualified entities.

Several questions come to mind regarding this plan. First, how does allowing private contractors and govt. agencies to receive the bulk of the funds translate to improving education at the earliest levels? Our public schools are an example of bureaucratic waste and inefficiency. Private schools operate on much less money per student while showing a huge improvement in academic achievement as evidenced by test scores and graduation rates. Private schools, much like any private industry or business, must show a superior product or they don't stay in business. The next question I must ask, is why is the sharing of the financial aspects of a private business a concern of a regulatory agency. The only reason I can see is an effort to standardize the compensation paid to employees of childcare centers. Where have you seen that before? Look at Unions across the country and their effects on private corporations such as the auto industry, teacher unions, Municipal employees, communication industries, airline companies, and on and on. Cost for such industries have increased to the point that many of these products are either too expensive to make here and the companies must go else where to make the same product. WE cannot move our businesses elsewhere. The average parent not receiving assistance for childcare will have to absorb the increase in the cost and I can't see that happening.

 The private sector is the best judge of how to govern itself. Customers choose where to spend their dollars on any product based on the quality of the product and the service they receive. Fail to provide a quality product or service and the company will not prosper. Government agencies mandating pay, performance, and increased regulation only contributes to more or the same.

This is just a few of my concerns.

My final thought is this. A grant for the improvement of the education of children, should go to children, not to increase the size of the agencies overseeing the process. Nor should it go for increasing the further intrusion of government in the private sector. We are all struggling to maintain our business. At some point all of us may soon experience the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back.

If a grant is available, why not give it to the providers to spend directly on the children by improving the facilities, education material, or specific needs based on its geographics and the population they serve.

Tony Lopresto   -    Imagination Station

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Press Release from the Florida Office of Early Learning"

Mel Jurado - - Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 19, 2011

CONTACT: JACKIE SCHUTZ (850) 488-5394

Florida to Submit Application for Race to the Top

Early Learning Challenge Grant

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the State of Florida will submit its application for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant and is one of four states eligible for the highest award amount totaling $100 million.  This grant is reflective of Florida’s vision in developing a world class education system and will help provide Florida’s children with a foundation to achieve valuable jobs in the global marketplace.

The Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge aligns with the commitment Governor Scott has made to education.  It is a plan that infuses resources into Florida’s early learning system, makes a positive investment in Florida business and prepares Florida’s children for school and life success.

How the Challenge Grant Works:

• Serving High Risk Children

The Challenge Grant partners with private businesses to meet the needs of high risk children. Utilizing demographic data, areas of historically high risk will be targeted.  Childcare providers serving high risk children will have the option of participating in the process. Childcare providers will also have access to mini-grants to build capacity for delivering services to high risk children. 

 

• Administration

Early Learning Coalitions will administer the process in local areas and will be held accountable for how funds are allocated and utilized. Childcare providers will receive funding through mini-block grants.

 

• Measurable Results

The Office of Early Learning will monitor progress towards desired outcomes and spending to ensure positive results for children and support to small businesses.

The Challenge grant is in line with Governor Scott’s Commitment:

• Participation is optional                                                                                                      

No childcare business in the State of Florida will be forced to participate in this process.   It’s an optional benefit to strengthen the valuation of businesses. 

• Conservative Principles at Work                                                                                       

Smaller government and localized solutions are the backbone of this approach.   This leverages the strength of the private sector to provide localized solutions to serve at risk children.

• No strings attached                                                                                                 

If the grant package comes back from the federal government with new required regulation or constraints with how Florida spends the money, we will not accept it. 

• No new business regulations                                                                                            

The grant application does not impose additional regulations on businesses, but will hold providers and Early Learning Coalitions accountable for spending grant dollars wisely. 

• Streamlining of existing regulations                                                                                 

The Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, Department of Children and Families, and Department of Health working collaboratively to eliminate duplicative, cumbersome approaches.

• No legacy spending

 There will be no commitment to additional state resources currently or in the future. 

• Smaller government and localized solutions

The grant will be implemented in local communities across the State of Florida, utilizing our existing framework.  State government will not grow.

The Office of Early Learning has garnered wide ranging support for this proposal. Business leaders including Publix, Walt Disney World, Fifth Third Bank, Northern Trust, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Baptist Health, Bank of America, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, as well as Florida’s Association for the Education of Young Children, Florida Family Child Care Home Association and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association realize a strong and vibrant early learning system serves as the foundation of our education system. 

###

 

FiscalRangers.com Agenda 21 Alert: Democrat Florida Senator Bill Nelson Lobbies to Spend $100-million in Fed Funds on "Re-wilding"

tavares, FL - August 12, 2011 -  The Florida Political Press tells us that our own liberal senator Bill Nelson is lobbying two US Federal Agencies to dump $100-million in buying more "public land" in Florida that would then be "re-wilded" and humans would be prohibited from visiting the lands.

This is all part of the UN's Agenda 21 pushed by socialists to reduce land available to humans.

Yes, if you are new to Agenda 21, it sounds like I am yelling "conspiracy" and you are right.  But it is part of the early communist agenda and new socialists are using environmentalism to REDUCE LAND OWNERSHIP BY PRIVATE OWNERS by using taxes to buy land and restrict it from human usage.

Even in Lake County, we have a "public lands" program with a small tax setaside to buy "public lands" and then NOT develop them for human recreation, but to restrict them from human use.  They also want to waste tax funds on "re-wilding" which means tear out all the "non-local" trees, critters, etc and restore the land to what it looked like 200 years ago.   I don't know about you, but to me, trees from 200 years ago probably look a lot like trees that are there now.

So, read the article and see how the socialista are still aggressively trying to use taxfunds (or borrowed, inflationary dollars) to buy more land.

This is another reason to dump Senator Nelson in 2012 and to watch local government activities regarding public land issues derived from UN and Communist agendas to reduce "Librerty" in the US.

http://www.floridapoliticalpress.com/2011/08/12/senator-nelson-throws-floridians-under-the-un-bus-and-backs-wildlands-project/   

 

An Open Letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Failure to Fight Foreclosure Fraud & Corruption

Update: Jul. 30, 2011 - Pam Bondi issued a statement on this issue HERE, but I found it to still be vague and not definitive on why two experienced foreclosure fraud investigators were fired earlier.

Original Article:

Tavares, FL - Jul 24, 2011 - As Attorney General for the State of Florida, I am disappointed in your apparent lack of interest in fighting Foreclosure fraud or corruption in Florida as evidenced by two issues:

- The article below from Scott Maxwell describing the unjustified firing of two top foreclosure fraud investigators without any solid explanation.

- The referenced Florida Grand Jury report issued by your office just before New Year's 2010 in an apparent attempt to avoid questions on the report, and your lack of action in "marketing" the recommendations to the Florida legislators.

 Below is a link to Scott Maxwell’s recent disturbing column in the Orlando Sentinel’s office about how Pam Bondi fired the two investigators who reported all the recent foreclosure fraud in Florida.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-scott-maxwell-ousted-investigators20110720,0,660118.column   

And, here is another op ed piece at "firedoglake.com on the same issue.

Additionally, we corresponded before about the Grand Jury report on Corruption being issued by Pam Bondi’s office just before New Years, and no action being taken by Ms. Bondi to publicize or initiate legislative actions on the recommendations to reduce corruption.  Here is the link to the article I wrote on

http://webworks.typepad.com/lakecountyfiscalrangers/2011/05/florida-grand-jury-report-recommendations-on-corruption.html 

Can you please provide me Ms. Bondi’s response about the firings and lack of action on the Corruption Grand Jury report?   Why isn’t Ms. Bondi apparently supportive of fraud and corruption detection and prosecution and improved legislation. 

A BALANCE is needed between PREVENTION of fraud and corruption, vs only prosecution.   As a former internal audit manager and anti-corruption adviser in Iraq, my experience is that prosecution oriented departments need to also take a lead in “selling” improvements in business systems to REDUCE fraud and corruption, not just prosecute the cases.   Thus, you should be involved in “marketing” the anti-corruption recommendations to the legislature as well as reinstating the foreclosure investigators mentioned above.

Update:  On 7/22, Ms Bondi distributed an "explanation" HERE to the media about the firings of the two investigators, which seems trumped up.  Here is an extract from another Scott Maxwell column following up on the issue:

Extract from Scott Maxwell's 7/21/2011 column HERE:

Bondi strikes back

In Wednesday's column, I detailed the case of two investigators with the attorney general's office who were making national headlines for cracking down on foreclosure fraud — right up until Bondi's office forced them out.

Investigators Theresa Edwards and June Clarkson said they were being thrown out because they ruffled the feathers of too many powerful people. They had unearthed thousands of examples of fraud — and helped earn taxpayers a record $2 million settlement with one firm. They were gunning for more in May when they were told they must either resign or be fired.

Previously, Bondi and her deputies had refused to explain themselves. But on Thursday, they changed their minds.

Bondi's office issued a statement saying the two were fired for "poor performance."

Although the statement said the two "had not engaged in deliberate misconduct," it accused them of having problems in a variety of areas, such as "professionalism to opposing counsel," "judgment in discussing matters related to pending" and "proper case file organization."

But the office offered no specifics or examples — nor any documentation of such criticism before their ouster. (The lone example was a memo criticizing their boss for having staffers with those problems … but not mentioning either Clarkson or Edwards by name.)

The claims of "poor performance" stand in stark contrast to the investigators' most recent job reviews.

Both received ratings of either "exceptional" or "above expectations" in 29 out of the collective 30 categories in which they were reviewed.

A review Edwards received just four weeks before she was forced out stated: "I cannot overstate the degree to which I respect Ms. Edwards and her work with this unit."

Apparently, these were two of the most highly rated poor performers Florida has ever employed.

More to come on this one — including details about the assistant attorney general and special counsel who recently left the office … to work for one of the foreclosure firms his office was investigating.

smaxwell@tribune.com or 407-420-6141

I will wait for Ms. Bondi’s response… and will post it on my FiscalRangers.com blog.   My background is on LinkedIn also, as well as the FiscalRangers.com blog. 

I am also sending this to the six Florida legislators for Lake County, Florida (and some of their staff).    These issues may be dull, but they NEED TO BE RESOLVED.  I would like to see several legislators inquire about this apparent lack of regard by your office related to foreclosure fraud or anti-corruption actions.

Note:  Readers are encouraged to post comments here or on Pam Bondi's Facebook page HERE:

https://www.facebook.com/pambondi 

Thank you,

Vance Jochim

Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Chief Fiscal Watchdog

Volunteers Searching for Ways to Improve Local Government Fiscal Management, Efficiency & Effectiveness

Tavares, FL 32778

Mobile:  352-638-3578

FiscalRangers@comcast.net

www.FiscalRangers.com   

Fiscal Ranger's page on Facebook

CLICK HERE to see recommended internet links related to Local Lake County government fiscal issues.

CLICK HERE to see my separate blog on Corruption in Iraq and the World.

 

Desperate Obama Finally Considers Action to Outshine Lake County Officials and Reduce Foreclosure Problems

Tavares, FL - July 23, 2003  -  We have hammered local officials about the lack of programs to fix the foreclosure problem in Lake County.   So, the local Republicans haven't acted, and now the Big Liberal, himself, might initiate an action that could reduce blight caused by foreclosed and empty homes.

Local officials could have at least passed ordnances forcing owners of foreclosed homes to pay homeowner association fees so other owners weren't stuck with the common ground costs.  But, no action has been initiated to my knowledge.   They also could have taken the initiative using Economic Development, CDBG or Tourism taxes to create a Realtor driven co-op marketing plan to snowbirds to buy local foreclosures in a streamlined process - but they haven't.   The County has staff organized Green FAIRS and conferences and literature, so why can't they used that "community building" and "program management" expertise to develop foreclosure fixing problems?

The Federal Government "owns" many foreclosed homes, so now they are considering RENTING them.

What a concept.  Local banks and investors who own homes should also consider doing that.

Here is the Wall St. Journal article, unfortunately they force you to "subscribe" to read the whole article, so see the second link.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904233404576458300001332210.html?mod=WSJ_article_forsub  

But, in this article, one person says renting foreclosed homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina didn't work because many tenants failed to pay the rent and the Feds didn't make them...

http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Foreclosures-for-rent/Hy0qbv1wP06CfGa4DzO5qg.cspx 

However, other articles say the Feds are considering restructuring foreclosure regulations to allow private (not Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) owners of foreclosures to SELL them to investors at a loss, and then the investors could modify the mortgage payments to a more "affordable" level.   However, this only affects privately owned mortgages and not Federally guaranteed mortgages...

AND, in this article, a homeowner's group is criticizing the Obama administration for being so ineffective in managing foreclosure or mortgage modification programs compared to privately owned mortgages.

http://agentgenius.com/real-estate-news-events/homeownership-advocates-suing-hud-and-criticizing-obama/  

At least they are trying some resolutions of the problem...

vj

 

Government Gone Wild Talk Held Recently in Lake County, FL

The local Lake County Republican Executive Committee (REC) recently hosted Blaise Intoglia who gave an hour presentation on "Government Gone Wild" or just how REALLY bad the Federal government's fiscal position will be now and in the future.

There were about seventy of us there, but notably missing were numerous local elected Republicans, even though this was publicized by the REC widely.

The only local elected officials present were

Corn Ethanol in Gasoline - not all it is "cracked up" to be & harmful to environment

The ethanol industry received huge subsidies from taxpayers for producing ethanol that is mixed in automotive gasoline.  Former Governor Charlie Crist decreed that WE in central Florida had to have gasoline with ethanol, which is less fuel efficient, runs hotter engines, and damages many small two cycle engines (lawnmowers, etc.).    As a car buff, and antique boat buff, I will never forgive Crist for that.  Ethanol fuel will not run well in my 1974 Mercruiser outboard engine, so I have to travel about 10 miles to get fuel that does not have ethanol and bring it back in five gallon cans for my boat.

We have written about it's harmful effects before, but here is more:

vj

From Roger Segelken :

Ethanol Fuel from Corn Faulted as ‘Unsustainable Subsidized Food Burning’

David Pimental, a leading Cornell University agricultural expert, has calculated that powering the average U.S. automobile for one year on ethanol (blended with gasoline) derived from corn would require 11 acres of farmland, the same space needed to grow a year's supply of food for seven people. Adding up the energy costs of corn production and its conversion into ethanol, 131,000 BTUs are needed to make one gallon of ethanol. One gallon of ethanol has an energy value of only 77,000 BTUS. Thus, 70 percent more energy is required to produce ethanol than the energy that actually is in it. Every time you make one gallon of ethanol, there is a net energy loss of 54,000 BTUs.

Mr. Pimentel concluded that "abusing our precious croplands to grow corn for an energy-inefficient process that yields low-grade automobile fuels amounts to unsustainable subsidized food burning".

Neither increases in government subsidies to corn-based ethanol fuel nor hikes in the price of petroleum can overcome what Cornell University agricultural scientist, David Pimentel, calls a fundamental input-yield problem: It takes more energy to make ethanol from grain than the combustion of ethanol produces.

At a time when ethanol-gasoline mixtures (gasohol) are touted as the American answer to fossil fuel shortages by corn producers, food processors and some lawmakers, Cornell’s David Pimentel, one of the world’s leading experts in issues relating to energy and agriculture, takes a longer range view.

"Abusing our precious croplands to grow corn for an energy-inefficient process that yields low-grade automobile fuel amounts to unsustainable, subsidized food burning", says the Cornell professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Pimentel, who chaired a U.S. Department of Energy panel that investigated the energetics, economics and environmental aspects of ethanol production several years ago, subsequently conducted a detailed analysis of the corn-to-car fuel process. His findings are published in the September, 2001 issue of the Encyclopedia of Physical Sciences and Technology .

Among his findings are:   An acre of U.S. corn yields about 7,110 pounds of corn for processing into 328 gallons of ethanol. But planting, growing and harvesting that much corn requires about 140 gallons of fossil fuels and costs $347 per acre, according to Pimentel’s analysis. Thus, even before corn is converted to ethanol, the feedstock costs $1.05 per gallon of ethanol.  The energy economics worse at the processing plants, where the grain is crushed and fermented. As many as three distillation steps are needed to separate the 8 percent get   ethanol from the 92 percent water. Additional treatment and energy are required to produce the 99.8 percent pure ethanol for mixing with gasoline.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Adding up the energy costs of corn production and its conversion to ethanol, 131,000 BTUs are needed to make 1 gallon of ethanol. One gallon of ethanol has an energy value of only 77,000 BTU. "Put another way", Pimentel says, "about 70 percent more energy is required to produce ethanol than the energy that actually is in ethanol. Every time you make 1 gallon of ethanol, there is a net energy loss of 54,000 BTU".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Ethanol from corn costs about $1.74 per gallon to produce, compared with about 95 cents to produce a gallon of gasoline. "That helps explain why fossil fuels-not ethanol-are used to produce ethanol", Pimentel says. "The growers and processors can’t afford to burn ethanol to make ethanol. U.S. drivers couldn’t afford it, either, if it weren’t for government subsidies to artificially lower the price".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Most economic analyses of corn-to-ethanol production overlook the costs of environmental damages, which Pimentel says should add another 23 cents per gallon. "Corn production in the U.S. erodes soil about 12 times faster than the soil can be reformed, and irrigating corn mines groundwater 25 percent faster than the natural recharge rate of ground water. The environmental system in which corn is being produced is being rapidly degraded. Corn should not be considered a renewable resource for ethanol energy production, especially when human food is being converted into ethanol".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The approximately $1 billion a year in current federal and state subsidies (mainly to large corporations) for ethanol production are not the only costs to consumers, the Cornell scientist observes. Subsidized corn results in higher prices for meat, milk and eggs because about 70 percent of corn grain is fed to livestock and poultry in the United States. Increasing ethanol production would further inflate corn prices, Pimentel says, noting: "In addition to paying tax dollars for ethanol subsidies, consumers would be paying significantly higher food prices in the marketplace".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Nickels and dimes aside, some drivers still would rather see their cars fueled by farms in the Midwest than by oil wells in the Middle East, Pimentel acknowledges, so he calculated the amount of corn needed to power an automobile:The average U.S. automobile, traveling 10,000 miles a year on pure ethanol (not a gasoline-ethanol mix) would need about 852 gallons of the corn-based fuel. This would take 11 acres to grow, based on net ethanol production. This is the same amount of cropland required to feed seven Americans.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    If all the automobiles in the United States were fueled with 100 percent ethanol, a total of about 97 percent of U.S. land area would be needed to grow the corn feedstock. Corn would cover nearly the total land area of the United States. 

For further information, contact:  Roger Segelken 

Phone: 607-255-9736 

E-Mail: hrs2@cornell.edu

 

 

 

We Launch Campaign to Get Serono Labs officers Prosecuted

We normally focus on Lake County or related local government issues.

This issue doesn't really affect most regular Lake County Fiscal Rangers readers, but if you want to see details of what can be done with social media to get government to actually prosecute wrongdoers, instead of just paying a fine, read on.

I am separately involved in research related to a new "CCSVI" treatment for multiple sclerosis - MS (I don't have it).   This week, the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) posted a press release about a drug company Serono Labs, that had paid unreported bribes and other expenses for many doctors to market an MS drug called Rebif. The press release said bribery, money laundering and kickbacks were involved to get doctors to push Rebif to MS patients.   Most MS drugs are REALLY expensive and many prescriptions are paid by Medicare or Medicaid, thus the Federal involvement.

DOJ issued a press release that they had settled with Serano paying a fine of $40-million, but NO officers were prosecuted.   This has upset the MS "community" evidenced by many postings on MS related Facebook pages around the world, especially since Serono was the subject of an earlier prosecution that resulted in them paying a $705-million fine.  So, they weren't naive.

Since I understand the Federal investigations systems, I have launched a campaign via Facebook to generate MS community, public and Federal Congressional pressure to have an investigation why DOJ did not prosecute anyone.   I even called the specific US Attorney's office that settled the case, and they would not explain why there were no prosecutions.  I am learning more details, and the US Dept of Health & Human Services Inspector General's office told us that the CEO and other officers may be subject to being added to an "exclusion" list which means they cannot be affiliated with any organization that receives Federal payments for Health services (i.e. Medicare reimbursements to clinics, etc.).  Another wrist slap - they can still collect parachute funds and retire without problem.

So, if you have further interest, you can visit my separate Facebook page "CCSVIUSA" and in the Notes will be a document containing the Serano Labs case details as it unfolds.   The interesting thing is that using Facebook Page Notes, you can post an article on Facebook that goes out to selected groups and pages, and mine went to about 130,000 MS patients.

Read the note here:

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=160462850683248  

vj

Dick Morris: Inflation is Coming, and I Agree Obama & Democrats Should be Blamed

The Federal government now borrows $40-BILLION per week to pay interest on all the debt they have approved.  When someone says there is a $13-TRILLION or so deficit, that means the Feds have sold debt and agreed to pay interest to GET all that money.  OR, they PRINTED new money which increases the money supply, which causes inflation.  Obama and the Democrats have done both.  And, as interest goes up, I am betting much of the debt has cost of living escalators, so interest due to China and other buyers of US bonds and debt instruments will rise as interest rates rise.

I lived through the last great inflation bubble when President Jimmy Carter ran up costs and implemented all those liberal programs that run up inflation.  That was when I thought I had a GOOD DEAL buying a house at 9.5% interest rates, and then the rates went up to almost 20% due to inflation.

Recently, I have watched Obama implementing many inflation causing practices, including "printing money", and excessive borrowing money to fund all his social programs.  Now, inflation is starting to hit us, not only due to unrest in oil producing countries, but subsidizing food crops like corn to be used for subsidized fuel like Ethanol.  Af, food prices are leaping.

To be fair, however, if you do research, you will find that Republicans, including Ronald Reagan also ran up debt - but he did it to finance defense spending so as to bankrupt the soviets, which he did, thus Russia's economy  collapsed, the Berlin wall came down, and the cold war ended.  Then Bill Clinton came into office, and he apparently understood economics, and reduced the federal deficit to almost nothing.  Then it started going up again and Obama has hit new heights in deficit spending which creates debt.

So, below is one of many emails generated by political pundit Dick Morris on the coming inflation.  So, each time you pay more for goods and services, be sure to thank the current Democrats and Republicans who also voted for the spending programs for ignoring economics.

Several inflation aspects will hit local governments.  One is

Guest Editorial: Are Taxpayer Subsidized Commuter Railroads Justified?

(Note:  This subject of subsidizing rail lines is auspicious, because Lake County Governments recently voted to spend over $16.5-million in taxpayer funds to repair CSX privately owned rail lines in Lake County to facilitate commuter and freight rail operations without any reports showing facts to justify the expense - see our separate posts on this. VJ)

From Richard Riker   3/21/2011

In December of 2009 Florida Legislature passed legislation by 27-10 establishing Sun Rail. This was done in a special session in an Obama-Pelosi hush and rush style. Why was this done in the “dead of night” without public disclosure? Simple, it would not have passed in the light of day. An initial impact of the passage was, as in most cases, financial, the legislature paid CSX Rail $10.5 million for track. This total is far more that the national average cost for track at $500,000 per mile.

What are some of the other overall deterrents to rail transit? Ones that our legislatures should have considered before they voted for it. To begin with, and maybe foremost, only