Questions for former Fort Lauderdale U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw

January 9, 2009

On Friday, Jan. 16, Kingsley Guy and I will "face off" with former Congressman E. Clay Shaw and former Senator Bob Graham at another of our luncheons at the Riverside Hotel. I've got three mega-questions for Shaw.

Recent columns

• Questions for former Fort Lauderdale U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw

  January 9, 2009

  On Friday, Jan. 16, Kingsley Guy and I will "face off" with former Congressman E. Clay Shaw and former Senator Bob Graham at another of our luncheons at the Riverside Hotel. I've got three mega-questions for Shaw.

• Smokers should pay a tax for their 'sins'

  January 2, 2009

  The governor and too many members of the Florida Legislature are hell-bent on putting tobacco-industry profits above the interests of 18-plus million Floridians. The state tax on cigarettes is the 46th lowest in the nation and hasn't been raised since 1990.

• Florida education: Principals know what works best

  December 21, 2008

  There's some great news about Florida public education. Two high schools zoomed to The Top 10 of The Top 100 Gold Medal High Schools ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

• With Jeb in the White House we'd be Bushwhacked again

  December 19, 2008

  The picture Bushophiles are channeling is: U.S. Sen. Jeb Bush on a white horse riding into Washington to burnish his family's lost luster, before reclaiming the White House. Then, he could resurrect the failed Republican right-wing agenda for America — and his mother could make history as the matriarch whose husband and two sons were president. What a guy!

• Post-election: Now is the time to start watching politicians

  December 7, 2008

  There's no rest for the politically weary.

• It's time for good government

  December 5, 2008

  The era of saying that "the era of big government is over" is over. Opportunist and double-talker Bill Clinton set out to beat Republicans at their own game. So, he parroted those exact words, echoing Ronald Reagan, who had a field day demonizing government. For eight years, George W. Bush has chanted the mantra.

• Republicans sank to deplorable lows

  November 21, 2008

  Some political candidates and radio and TV talk-show magpies need their mouths washed out with soap — or their lips permanently sealed. Political campaigns have always been nasty, especially in Florida, but I don't think we've ever endured anything as vicious as what we've seen this year.

• Decision 2008: Floridians strike out on amendments

  November 9, 2008

  The good news is: Florida turned progressive blue on Tuesday, on the national level.

• Dueling Columnists: Obama presents great opportunity. . .

  November 2, 2008

  Hold this thought: It's time for Floridians to become real mavericks. But first, let me give you some personal background to help you conclude that with me.

• We've still got much ground to cover.

  April 9, 2008

  Where do two white men come off dueling about racism in Florida?

• The Governor Scores a Passing Grade

  January 6, 2008

  It's time to administer the FGAT (The Florida Governor's Assessment Test). Charlie Crist has been governor for exactly a year. He positioned himself as "the people's governor."

• Keep Church and State separate

  December 23, 2007

  Religion belongs in pews and in private - in people's hearts and minds.If the Almighty came down to Earth today, she'd be appalled at how Floridians have taken her name in vain. Feckless finaglers of faith have led genuine believers by the nose for too long for personal gain and power grabs. It's high time for Floridians to reject Bible-thumping piety, get religion out of politics, and to stop its being wielded as a wedge issue à la Karl Rove.

• There's trouble in paradise

  December 9, 2007

  Florida could/would/should be the best state, but here are 10 of the worst things sabotaging us:1. The world at home and abroad is crumbling, but most Floridians choose to hear no evil, see no evil - unless it affects their golf game.

• Caps on spending alone won't cut it.

  November 11, 2007

  In theory, for quick-fix, self-deluders who want to "starve the government beast," spending limits are the perfect complement to reducing taxes. They want to curb perceived excesses by elected officials by tying their hands - tight, after limiting the money they get in the first place.

• It's the right fix

  October 28, 2007

  A state income tax: I'm all for it! Recent proposals for tax relief have sizzled/fizzled only on raising sales tax and/or lowering property tax. But income tax is the fix that should be added to the mix, 'cause it would be repentance for two of Florida's sins.Sin 1: Shafting the middle class to enrich the rich. Florida gives a free pass to people making big bucks. Oo lah lah, it's hallelujah for pooh-bahs with moolah : they enjoy their real financial gain up-front without paying the state a penny on their disproportionately high disposable income.

• Leasing is no option at all

  October 14, 2007

  It's supposed to get us out of a jam, but it's really a scam: privatizing toll roads. One of these days, drivers everywhere in Florida may have to pay a Dubai-based company, or its equivalent, to cruise down our current toll roads. Everyone knows in his gut that it's un-American to privatize public highways.