The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: Hazcat on May 27, 2009, 09:20:49 AM
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TALLAHASSEE — The $66.5 billion state budget Gov. Charlie Crist will sign Wednesday is likely to appease at least one vocal Florida constituency: gun owners.
Crist will sign a budget balanced with $2 billion in tax and fee increases, including a dollar-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax, the first such tax hike since 1990. But he plans to veto a $6 million transfer, or what critics call a raid, on a fund backed by fees that people pay to seek or renew their concealed weapons permits, which are valid for seven years.
"I'm inclined that way," said Crist, noting that he met last week with Marion Hammer, the longtime lobbyist for the National Rifle Association who led a well-organized, grass roots effort to oppose the transfer. "She is a tremendous advocate, and I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment."
Hammer said the money is needed to repair and improve computers and add more temporary workers to process an unprecedented backlog of permit applications. The Legislature siphoned the money as part of $600 million in similar transfers to avoid higher tax increases or deeper budget cuts.
By vetoing the transfer, Crist can reinforce political support among gun owners at a pivotal time: He has just begun a U.S. Senate campaign in which his Republican rival, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, openly questions Crist's conservatism.
The NRA bought radio ads in support of Crist's 2006 candidacy for governor, citing his support for a law that clarified the right of private citizens to defend themselves when attacked in their homes.
More than 30,000 people have flooded the governor's e-mail inbox in support of a veto. Some drew a blunt connection between gun ownership and Crist's senatorial ambitions.
"I realize you are busy preparing for a run in the Senate, but you need to start listening to your voters," wrote Dwight Cooke of Largo, a retired police detective who said he did not own a firearm. "Without your assistance, I'm afraid I see no reason to vote for you or recommend others to vote for you in the future."
The demand for gun permits is at an all-time high in Florida. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, whose agency issues gun permits, has added dozens of temporary employees to reduce a backlog of applications.
By law, the state must issue a permit within 90 days of receipt of a complete application. Otherwise, the applicant can demand a license even if a criminal background check is not complete.
The director of the state licensing division, Connie Crawford, said 88,084 applications for permits or renewals were awaiting review Tuesday. That number included applications by private investigators, security guards and others who may carry firearms.
Crawford said the average processing time is 12 to 14 weeks, which is slightly more than 90 days, and she said "it is conceivable" that some applicants may wait up to six months for their permits. But she added it's not unusual for applications to be incomplete, such as by not being notarized or missing a required photo.
Rep. Jim Frishe, a St. Petersburg Republican, defended the $6 million budget transfer in a May 21 e-mail to a constituent. He said the fund would still have $18 million next year and that trust fund transfers were unavoidable to help pay for "the core missions of state government: education, health care and public safety."
Hammer, the NRA lobbyist, disagreed. "In an economy where gun ownership is growing," she said, "this is an area of government that is growing."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/article1004559.ece
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That is good news.
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Yea...good news but I doubt it changes the Cat's opinion of old Chuckie Crist...
BTW....how cool is that to have Charles Bronson issuing permits?... ;D ;D
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Yea...good news but I doubt it changes the Cat's opinion of old Chuckie Crist...
BTW....how cool is that to have Charles Bronson issuing permits?... ;D ;D
Yeah, his signature is on the permit. I am hoping I don't have to turn it in when I renew, so I can say my original FL permit was issued by Charles Bronson! ;D
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Chuckies sucking up outstanding keep it UP but watch the BAST@*%.
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Even though Crist is part RINO, he knows, like a consumate politician, where the majority of the state leans, center/right....., and when not to so something totally stupid when running for a higher office.
A large property insurance measure is hiding in that budget also, that would allow Ins. Co.'s to raise premiums, but the Insurance Commissioner and Crist are going to "remove" that one also.
All the New York, New England transplants down on my end of the state, have their "blue" (Dem) colors showing, but thankfully the rest of the state has their heads on straighter.
Chuckies sucking up outstanding keep it UP but watch the BAST@*%.
Amen! Watch ALL the BAST^%$#!
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Chuckies sucking up outstanding keep it UP but watch the BAST@*%.
I second that. Charlie "Political Expediency" Crist is one to watch out for.
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Let's see what he will say about Obama's proposed appointment to the SCOTUS........My hunch is he would vote for her confirmation if he was a senator......
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Let's see what he will say about Obama's proposed appointment to the SCOTUS........My hunch is he would vote for her confirmation if he was a senator......
My hunch is that evey GOP vote against her (barring some X factor showing up) will be very carefully calculated. They know they can't lose the blacks AND the hispanics AND the well educated AND the young and ever get out of the corner. I'll bet you a box of ammo (.50 BMG excluded) that every no vote will have a reason for it that can be explained by the base back home. BO wins either way on this one (again assuming she paid her taxes) either he gets his nominee or the GOP shoots down the first hispanic nominated for the court. Either way, its all good for the Dems. I have no idea how she will vote so I don't know what to expect (aside from a very troubling 2A case) but I think politically the GOP is screwed on this one. Expect much sound and fury signifying not very much.
FQ13
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Let's see what he will say about Obama's proposed appointment to the SCOTUS........My hunch is he would vote for her confirmation if he was a senator......
Absolutely!
He is the perfect model for 'RINO' and 'DINO' (or maybe I should say 'modern politician'). This is because his only goal id to be elected to the next office or term. Zero principles.
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Even though Crist is part RINO, he knows, like a consumate politician, where the majority of the state leans, center/right....., and when not to so something totally stupid when running for a higher office.
A large property insurance measure is hiding in that budget also, that would allow Ins. Co.'s to raise premiums, but the Insurance Commissioner and Crist are going to "remove" that one also.
All the New York, New England transplants down on my end of the state, have their "blue" (Dem) colors showing, but thankfully the rest of the state has their heads on straighter.
Amen! Watch ALL the BAST^%$#!
Dammit, it's only the liberals from Boston and NYC that are giving all of us a bad name !
A TRUE Yankee can buy from a Jew and sell to a Scotsman and still make a profit.
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My hunch is that evey GOP vote against her (barring some X factor showing up) will be very carefully calculated. They know they can't lose the blacks AND the hispanics AND the well educated AND the young and ever get out of the corner. I'll bet you a box of ammo (.50 BMG excluded) that every no vote will have a reason for it that can be explained by the base back home. BO wins either way on this one (again assuming she paid her taxes) either he gets his nominee or the GOP shoots down the first hispanic nominated for the court. Either way, its all good for the Dems. I have no idea how she will vote so I don't know what to expect (aside from a very troubling 2A case) but I think politically the GOP is screwed on this one. Expect much sound and fury signifying not very much.
FQ13
Identity politics is a Democrat game. This last election was a clear example. McCain was the quintessential moderate candidate. He was firing people from his campaign for saying our feckless leader's middle name. He followed all the "rules" that have been set forth here so that the Rep. don't lose the (fill in the blank) vote, and he got his ass handed to him (reminds me of a joke*).
I feel like a broken record, but people will vote for someone who articulates conservative principles. It's as simple as that. When you break down the electorate into small special interest groups in order to garner their votes you insult those groups intelligence. I don't have to have cancer to realize that it's no picnic. The same applies here.
Justice Thomas represents a conservative voice on the court. He and I share nothing but conservative principles. Does he represent still represent me or does he do his job and interpret the Constitution?
Sotomayor is a poor choice for the SCOTUS. She, like Obama, feels the need to "even the score". She doesn't rule on the Law but legislates from the bench. I believe if you look at her actual record** and judge her on that (her character) instead of the "color of her skin you will see the true reason any and all Rep. that wish to stand on principle should vote no (Crist aside).
A stand on principle will contrast greatly with what presently passes as leadership on both sides of the isle.
* What do Obama, W., and the North Vietnamese have in common?
They all beat McCain.
** I believe her decisions have been overturned more times than they have been confirmed. That equals poor law. We've had enough of that for an epoch.
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Sorry Broso,.....that takes too much common sense to comprehend! ;)
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from tombogan:
Dammit, it's only the liberals from Boston and NYC that are giving all of us a bad name !
A TRUE Yankee can buy from a Jew and sell to a Scotsman and still make a profit.
Sorry to lump you in there Tom. We don't have any problems from the Yanks from NH, or VT. or even Maine, can't find anyone from Rhode Island either. They keep to themselves and are easy to get along with.
However, the CT, NY, NJ, MA, MD, crowd, move here, whine, complain, about almost everything, are 100% of a liberal mindset, and have corrupted a portion of S. Florida into "mini" burbs similar to the ones they bit**ed about leaving the North to come down here for.
From now on, I'll make the distinction between Damn Yankees, and Good ol' Northerners. ::)
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TW....
Please understand that just because I live in MA, does'nt mean I want to.....
I grew up in the midwest and lived all over the country.....I just had the misfortune of finding a wonderful woman when I moved out east from my beloved MI. Blame it on the last bailout of an auto maker.....there wasn't any work there and my bride ain't moving anywhere...
I do apologize for all the liberal asshats that moved south but at least I don't have to deal with them anymore! ;D
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from tombogan:
Dammit, it's only the liberals from Boston and NYC that are giving all of us a bad name !
A TRUE Yankee can buy from a Jew and sell to a Scotsman and still make a profit.
Sorry to lump you in there Tom. We don't have any problems from the Yanks from NH, or VT. or even Maine, can't find anyone from Rhode Island either. They keep to themselves and are easy to get along with.
However, the CT, NY, NJ, MA, MD, crowd, move here, whine, complain, about almost everything, are 100% of a liberal mindset, and have corrupted a portion of S. Florida into "mini" burbs similar to the ones they bit**ed about leaving the North to come down here for.
From now on, I'll make the distinction between Damn Yankees, and Good ol' Northerners. ::)
Corrections,
1) NY, NJ, and Md ARE NOT YANKEES.
2) Me sucks as bad as Ma. the only 2 Republican Senators to vote for the Porkulus were Maine's Olympia Snowe (Wife of Clinton's Sec Def William Cohen) and that other RINO Susan Collins, the rural areas are American but the cities are socialist as hell.
Thank you for the distinction ;D
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from tombogan:
Dammit, it's only the liberals from Boston and NYC that are giving all of us a bad name !
A TRUE Yankee can buy from a Jew and sell to a Scotsman and still make a profit.
Sorry to lump you in there Tom. We don't have any problems from the Yanks from NH, or VT. or even Maine, can't find anyone from Rhode Island either. They keep to themselves and are easy to get along with.
However, the CT, NY, NJ, MA, MD, crowd, move here, whine, complain, about almost everything, are 100% of a liberal mindset, and have corrupted a portion of S. Florida into "mini" burbs similar to the ones they bit**ed about leaving the North to come down here for.
From now on, I'll make the distinction between Damn Yankees, and Good ol' Northerners. ::)
I sympathize with you and they are still procreating the mindless up here. Hunkered down in the democratic socialist state of Connecticut. :-X