This is another example of the Republican party in Florida. Dubya's brother Jeb is one of three members of the Board of Trustee's whose responsibility it is to oversee Florida's pension funds. Whether Bush is involved or not, the malfeisance was on his watch.

More to the point, under a Republican Governor and legislature, Florida is NOT doing a very good job in handling the social welfare of its citizens, especially the young. I will mention just a few examples. Florida is among the top 20 sptates in per-captia income, but ranks in the bottom 10 states when it comes to children's health, education and general welfare, for example:
percent of teen high school dropouts--Fl, 33; US 30
percent of children in poverty--Fl, 22; US 20
percent of families with single parent--Fl, 30; US 27
fourth graders below basic reading level--Fl, 46; US 39
arrests for violent crimes ages 10-17--Fl, 680; US 394
arrests for property crimes ages 10-17--Fl, 4,095; US 2,130
teen birth rate ages 15-17--Fl 33; US 30

This Republican led government just repealed the intangible tax on stocks and bonds that cut $130 million out of Florida's budget. The legislature then attempted to balance the budget by reducing funding to schools by $ 118 million and balance from other social programs.

It is not holding a gun to your head to require you pay a share of providing for the health and welfare of your society. To not pay your fair share is try and hitch a free ride in society. It is our obligation as citizens to defend our country in time of war, and to support our country and the programs that make our country strong--such as education. We are not doing this well in Florida.

The arrogant Republican leadership in this state also dropped the tax on country club memberships. Please explain how this serves the general benefit?

It may be just in Florida where the Republican leadership is engaged in making war on the poor, public education, health and welfare programs, and other social programs.