Charlie Crist is No Good Neighbor

BREAKING!

I hope all Florida voters got a chance to watch tonight's gubernatorial debate between Crist, Davis, and the third party candidate, Max Linn, who was allowed to participate by the courts ten minutes before air time...and what an asset Linn was this evening...between he and Chris Matthews, the debate was the best I believe I have ever seen. Crist looked off balance and Davis, with Linn's help, went for the jugular. Best line of tonight's debate-asked by Chris Matthews how much money the Florida teacher's lobbies were throwing his way...Davis replied, "Teachers don't have any money..." Ha ha!

"Most in the blogosphere agree the debate was a hoot to watch. Smashed Frog attaches a bit of commentary to a longer post in which the writer opens up a can of whoop-frog on Crist and the insurance crisis. That’s some harsh blogging - er, flogging - er, frogging."

--The Political Safari with Laura Fiorilli

Republican Charlie Crist is quick to point fingers at Florida gubernatorial challenger Jim Davis' attendance record as a U.S. Congressman.

Crist has definitely been in attendance as former Florida Education Commissioner and presently, as the Sunshine State's Attorney General.

So, explain to me, like I'm four years old, why home insurance rates have skyrocketed Florida homeowners out of....well, out of house and home?

On Charlie Crist's watch.

The answer is simple.

Just follow the money.

As reported by Florida Today (10/29/06), the insurance industry threw $19, 000,000 at the Republican controlled Florida legislature from 2002-2004.

The resulting "reform" delivered by Florida legislators, gifted insurance companies with a bill that allows a "reasonable rate of return" to insurers.

Floridian's wallets were pick pocketed through legislative highway robbery.

Charlie Crist was there in Tallahassee.

And remember, Charlie doesn't own a home, so he hasn't been impacted by rising insurance costs.

Florida insurance companies have kicked $15.3 million in additional dollars to political campaigns since 2004.

Charlie Crist received $763,507.

And Crist plans to keep accepting dollars from the insurance companies, indicating, "I want all the support I can get. I want to win so I can fight for the people even harder."

Crist's plan for fighting harder for Floridians includes waiting four more years before lowering insurance rates.

Four more years.

In comparison, Jim Davis received $74,450 from state insurers, most likely because the Davis plan calls to lower rate by 40%...next year.

That's bad news-and less profits- for insurance companies.

Florida homeowner Dick Cybulski witnessed a 50% spike in his homeowner's insurance rates this past July. "Get rid of the lobbyists. Get ride of people making money off us," Cybulski said. "Get me out of this state."

Chain Gang Charlie did nothing to help Floridians while a member of the Jeb Bush Tallahassee Syndicate.

Floridians can't wait four more years.

The times are a'changing. Reach out for the new.

Vote November 7th. Take ten friends with you to the polls.

"This is not a race," Jim Davis recently told a Brevard County crowd. "This...is a battle."

"History shows private insurance companies have repeatedly threatened to pull the rug out from under the state economy, dumping risk, raising rates and abandoning policy holders, freely intimidating lawmakers and regulators and creating an atmosphere of crisis to promote its legislative agenda."

---Insurance consumer advocate Bob Hunter, former Texas insurance commissioner co-founder of American for Insurance Reform and author, "At the Tipping Point: The Homeowner Mess in Florida and How to Fix It"