Topic: Election 2010
David Aronberg Wants To Be "The People's Attorney" The likable Senator recently announced his candidacy for Attorney General. So what's he like?by Larry Warrick
(libertarian)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Senator from Ft. Myers recently announced his run for Florida Attorney General under the banner:
"Special interests have their lawyers. Criminals and con artists have their lawyers. I want to be the people's attorney."
Hailed by the Ft. Myers News-Press as a consumer advocate, called 'the real deal' by the Naples Daily News, David Aronberg is in his second term as a Florida senator and is looking to follow in the footsteps of Governor Charlie Crist (who describes Aronberg as a 'rock star') as Attorney General of Florida.
"Senator Aronberg represents a challenging, diverse district that stretches from eastern Palm Beach County through Glades, Hendry and Charlotte Counties all the way to Lee County on Florida's gulf coast. Even though Democrats comprise only 38% of his district, Dave was re-elected in 2008 with 59% of the vote."
Also:
"In 1999, Dave became a Florida Assistant Attorney General for economic crimes. Among other cases, he headed the State's lawsuit against "Miss Cleo," the "Jamaican Shango Shaman psychic" who had become an international celebrity among late-night television viewers." No doubt his previous experience with the Florida AG's office, his qualifications as an attorney and his evident popularity has put his bid on solid ground for 2010.
Qualified beyond doubt, popular with the establishment, let's take a look at his record.
In true Democrat style, he voted against a balanced budget (SB2600) and reduced taxes (SJR4B, HB209), and voted for university tuition differentials (SB762) and expanded gambling (SB788).
On the abortion issue, he voted for a bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period before inducement (CS HB1497) but against a bill requiring a potential abortion patient to review her ultrasound with her medical provider before the procedure is carried out (SB2400). In both cases, he was with the majority.
On the environment, he voted against adopting a conference report that reduced FY2008-2009 appropriations by more than $1.2 billion, comprising $354.11 million in reductions for spending in natural resources, environment, growth management, and transportation, and $239.97 million in reductions to the Department of Environmental Protection. Most recently, according to Capitol News Service, he has "teamed with Senator Ted Deutch to file legislation to create a taskforce charged with investigating the economic impact of coastal drilling. The lawmakers say no one has put a price tag on an oil spill or how property values would be affected by drilling." Aronberg asserts the environmental costs need to be calculated before a possible House and Senate vote next spring. Effectively this is a delaying tactic. If a taskforce is formed, its report wouldn't be done until 2011, at least a year after the vote is expected. So much for energy independence.
A visit to votesmart.org reveals consistently improved ratings in all categories from the very large business and consumers category through environmental issues and, of course, in the labor category from 2004 to the present. Predictably, he rates lowest in the conservative category (there's a warning about partisan results in these ratings). He was awarded a 'C' in 2004 by the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund, the only year a rating is available.
Votesmart indicates no recent speeches by this candidate for Attorney General. In fact, a quick search indicates that they have no public statements available for this office.
Under the 'do it now' label (as opposed to 'drill here, now'), Senator Aronberg has called for Governor Crist to add the defective Chinese drywall issue to any special legislative session prior to the regular session in the spring. Taking the side of homeowners already underwater with their mortgages, he said "Florida is at the epicenter of the defective drywall plague. Florida's families are being driven from their homes and the prices of homes are plunging even deeper into the ground." According to news-press.com, "In anticipation of the special session being called, Aronberg is readying a bill to create a task force that would bring impacted parties and experts to the table to develop recommendations. That way, lawmakers can begin efforts to help afflicted residents immediately upon their return to Tallahassee for the 2010 legislative session."
Not so fast! Before making any decisions over the drywall issue, the state wants to see the results of lab tests under way and expected at some later date. But Senator Aronberg can't wait for all of the information to become available. So out comes the scare tactics and sensational language. In reviewing the Senator's statement, we find words such as 'epicenter', 'plague', 'plunging into the ground', 'driven from their homes', 'ability to assist now', 'hit the ground running', 'reduce uncertainty', 'expensive litigation'. Very scary stuff indeed!
High on the ensuing adrenalin rush, I did some searching:
According to rabbitair.com, "Chinese drywall is made with a coal byproduct called fly ash which contains silica and aluminum silica, hazardous only in dust form. Particle filters such as HEPA filters will help to remove these compounds from the air if they become airborne. Fly ash also contains a blend of heavy metals, including mercury and beryllium. These are toxic in dust form and also evaporate slowly to become toxic gasses. Charcoal-based activated arbon, found in the charcoal filters of new HEPA based air purifiers, can effectively absorb these toxins and also reduce the sulfurous odor in the air."
Not to detract from the ordeal homeowners face as a result of this substandard drywall issue, it is not the crisis the Senator is trying to make it seem. Likening the need to procure a HEPA air purifier to earthquakes, pandemics and airline disasters is clearly unnecessary and overdone (Note to self, buy shares in Florida HEPA manufacturers). Whether the State of Florida has the ability to assist homeowners in this drywall issue or not is necessarily a secondary consideration to the more fundamental question of whether the State should provide the assistance demanded by the Senator. The State of Florida already has sound legislation requiring that a product legally sold be fit for the purpose or use for which it is intended, and providing for legal recourse should said product be found lacking. I can find no law requiring legislative intervention in what is essentially a civil matter (of course, I'm not a lawyer, either). Indeed, litigation can be lengthy and expensive, and it will likely be so whether the Florida legislature weighs in on this issue or not. To 'hit the ground running' is all very well, but where is it that our representatives are supposed to 'run' to? What is the stated objective here? This couldn't possibly be about spending money we don't have, could it? What recommendations could this recommended 'task force that would bring impacted parties and experts to the table to develop recommendations', recommend, besides taxpayer subsidies of the building industry in cleaning up a mess that private insurance should cover and the existing legal system is well equipped to handle?
For all of the accolades and education, when it comes to spending other people's money, it seems that the Senator from a large chunk of southern and central Florida is still a free spending Democrat at heart. The Florida Attorney General's office is not a partisan position. The current AG is Bill McCollum. A visit to his official website outlines three current top priorities; mortgage fraud, cybercrime and enforcement of the Florida government transparency (Florida Sunshine) laws. Lesser priorities are street gang eradication, AG's most wanted and helping seniors find the lowest prices for prescription drugs (gotta love that last one). Nothing here about substandard drywall installations or beach litter being a top priority, or a priority at all.
In summary, we have a candidate for Attorney General who is duly qualified (being an attorney, in this instance, is a helpful condition); he has previous operational experience and gets along with most everybody. Though it may be argued that his actions as a Senator are occasionally misguided, there can be no question that his intentions are honorable. Spending other peoples' money is, after all, a time honored political pastime. Making the transition from lawmaker back to law enforcer, in my opinion, would not be a huge challenge.
As with most decisions in political life, the issue comes down to trust. Dave Aronberg is a likeable fellow who has been of useful service to his State in the past, but who is also an excitable, free spending democrat who values his environmental principles over the economic well-being of his constituents. Is he a good choice, or will you keep the less popular incumbent Republican, or go for the candidate with mildly questionable integrity? Florida's motto is "In God We Trust". Our politicians, well, not so much.
Once again, voters are presumably faced with a choice between two 'evils'. The old cliche 'a vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil' may be worn out but it still applies. Ladies and gentlemen, there is a revolution afoot, and you are at its center. It will be you who make the difference in 2010. Look around. Contact your local Constitution and Libertarian parties. Ask about third party local and State candidates, if they are involved, engaged and active. Where there is an opening, offer to help. If you're feeling lucky, throw your hat in the ring. Look for independents and if you agree with their views, support them, physically and financially, if you can. Or, if you're that weak, if you believe what the Republicrats spoon feed you through the mainstream media, or don't have the energy for real 'change', don't be a part of the problem; be a responsible adult and vote not at all, you'll be doing your State and your country a service.
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The views expressed in this
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