October 16, 2002

10 Reason Why Jeb Bush MUST NOT Be Reelected

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Randy Natalino

Dear BuzzFlash,

1) Class Size

My granddaughter is in the second grade in a school near Homestead Florida. There is one teacher and 32 students. Last week Jeb said told his friends he had a "devious plan" to subvert the wills of the voters, even if they vote for smaller classes. If he is reelected, my granddaughter’s class sizes will never get smaller!

2) Seniors

My mother is a senior in the Tampa area. Her health is pretty good, but she is prescribed over $300 in prescription costs per month by her doctor. Costs of prescriptions go up monthly, and she and her friends are faced with difficult choices. She tells me some seniors cut pills in half, or simply do without needed but unaffordable drugs. Jeb runs ads about his supposed support for seniors. Such hypocrisy! Neither she nor any of her friends have seen one dime in help from Jeb and his supposed programs.

3) FCAT

A friend where I work has a son in the 4th grade in Broward County. She is furious over the FCAT test. "He's not learning anything-he's just studying for that test all the time". That FCAT test has gotten way too big. Teachers have a really tough and complex job, and I have a lot of respect for their dedication and hard work with our kids. Jeb simply does not understand that. Instead of providing more resources to help teachers, pupils, and schools, Jeb just punishes teachers and kids!!

4) Environment

Jeb protecting the environment?? Oh please, let's not even get started there. He hasn't done squat to protect our Florida environment in the past 4 years!

5) Public Corruption

Recent articles about Jeb’s business dealings look awfully suspicious. Some of his past business partners have done jail time and even fled the country to avoid prosecution. In every instance Jeb claims he "didn't know" or "wasn't responsible". (Sort of like how he runs state government.) Do we want a governor who is apparently so oblivious to corruption around him?

6) An Opportunity Wasted

Florida has been a politician's dream for Jeb for the past 4 years, with full Republican control of state government. He could have done all kinds of great things for Florida. What has he done for Florida? Better schools? Better roads and infrastructure? Help for our seniors?? Protect the environment?? Well, he did run an ad about a new traffic light in a little North Florida town. He has so few accomplishments to brag about that he has to create some hokum about a traffic light for a small town!

7) Tax Breaks for the Wealthy

He has done one thing…..BIG tax breaks for the very wealthy in Florida. We went from a healthy budget surplus in this state 4 years ago to a major deficit today. He took billions of dollars belonging to the people of Florida and just gave it away. Did we get something in return, like attracting new industry and jobs to the state? Dream on -- we got nothing!

8) Deteriorating Financial Situation

Florida is in even more serious condition than we thought. In fact Jeb is not even willing to reveal the true financial picture of the state. A court case was filed in Tallahassee this week to force him to "open the books" to the public. Why not just show us??

9) Department of Child and Family Services

DCFS is one big mess. 4 years ago Jeb promised to fix it, and has done zip. Little Rilya Wilson is still missing, and Jeb seems uninterested. His only interest is in snickering to his buddies about how her caretakers are lesbians!

10) 2000 Election Debacle

In 2000 Jeb was the facilitator of the election debacle here in Florida. As governor, he was responsible to hold a free and fair election that accurately reflected the will of the people. His partisan, one-sided actions pre- and post-election disqualify him to be governor of this state. If you love democracy (regardless of your party affiliation) you must kick him out!

The Republicans have millions of dollars to spend on TV ads on the next few weeks. They will try to make Jeb seem like the second coming of Mother Theresa. Don't get fooled. A vote for Jeb is a vote for 4 more years of the same lousy performance!

Vote AGAINST Jeb Bush on Nov. 5th. Send him back to wherever he came from!

*Remember that if you don't vote…..that's just like a vote for Jeb.

Pass this on to your friends, and encourage them to pass it on to their friends. Show them that all that TV money can't buy the election!!!

Thank you!

Randy Natalino
A citizen of Florida

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