Time For Leaders

Clouds have moved into the Sunshine State

And unless a few leaders step forward, these clouds might just settle in and stay awhile.

With the election not yet a month behind us, the string of promises made to us has already begun to fade from the memory of those who made them.  And that all but guarantees another two years of the status quo, right at a time when that’s the last thing we need.

When our state representatives are ready to convene in Tallahassee to consider what to do about our $2 billion and growing budget deficit, we’ll hear a lot about cutting out inefficiency; we’ll hear about how in difficult economic times we have to tighten our belts.

Everyone, that is, except new House Speaker Sansom, whose belt has been let out a few notches, and not because of Thanksgiving turkey

And we’ll hear next to nothing about what filled this fall’s campaign trail, the talk of improving education, expanding health care and rebuilding our economy

That was just campaign talk

Florida may have voted for change in Washington but it voted for more of the same in Tallahassee, and that’s just what we’re going to get.

We sent back the same crew that has failed to solve either the property tax or property insurance crisis; the same crew that has watched our economy decline and job losses mount.  It’s a group that has gotten very good at describing the problems, but not so good at figuring out the answers

And that’s the biggest problem of all.  Because right now we really need some answers.

Take job creation.  Right now, Florida leads the nation in job losses, but no one in Tallahassee seems to have a plan for how to attract and create new jobs.

There wasn’t a single candidate who didn’t talk about creating new jobs during their campaign, and most talked about the “new energy economy” and how it would bring both jobs and greater national security

But where’s the plan?  How exactly do they intend to make Florida a leader in this new green economy, as so many promised to do?
And in education, we need to better prepare our students for a place in the global economy, green and otherwise.   We need more focus on math and science; we need to produce more engineers

But where’s the plan?  How’s it going to happen?

This is a time for bold thinkers.  For leaders who see beyond the short term.  For politicians motivated to get results, not just to get reelected next time.

This is the time for real leaders with real ideas.  It’s a time for plans not talk, for action not grandstanding.

A whole lot of folks live in Florida for the sunshine.  We need someone to step forward and do something about these clouds.

Posted by Bernie Campbell on Monday, December 1, 2008
Permalink: Time For Leaders