Posted March 9th, 2010by Javier Manjarres3 Comments »
Today the Shark Tank spotlights Whilly Bermudez who is a candidate for Florida House seat #116 in Miami-Dade County. Bermudez is a small business owner who seems to understand the importance of growing business in order to create jobs. Aside from being a tax hawk, Bermudez also believes that diversifying Florida’s job portfolio is key to obtaining, and sustaining economic growth.
Posted March 9th, 2010by Javier Manjarres5 Comments »
This past week I met for lunch with my ol’ pal, the ever animated and colorful political heavyweight Roger Stone. One topic that had Roger particularly peeved was the recent leaking of Marco Rubio’s American Express credit card statement. For many of you that do not know, Roger is a long time GOP consultant and insider that is ‘in the know’. Roger and many others, including myself, feel that the leak could not have come from anyone other than the disgraced and recently booted Chairman of the state GOP, Jim Greer. Chairman Greer was appointed to the position of Chairman by his long time friend and Governor of Florida, Charlie ‘Chuckles’ Crist. When I first heard of the leak, I thought that Governor would step up and denounce the leak as a dirty trick that would hurt the party. But staying true to his selfish form, Charlie did not denounce the leak, and instead decided to use the leak for political expediency. And given Charlie’s long track record of political stunts in his contested primaries, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone that Charlie is simply resorting to what he knows best- political hackery in order to protect and advance his political career. Too bad he didn’t fight this hard for property tax reform!
Posted March 8th, 2010by Javier ManjarresNo Comments »
This being an election year and all, there are several contested primary races with great candidates running in them. I have chosen to stay out of most for this particular reason. The race in Florida’s State house district 115 is one of the few exceptions. Jose Felix Diaz impressed me from the very beginning and I will do my best to help him win this race.
I sat down with Jose Diaz last week in his Downtown Miami office where we sat back like old pals and discussed family and politicos. Neither of us was surprised to find out that we knew a lot of the same politics in Miami-Dade County. I got a kick out of it when Jose greeted me wearing a black long sleeve Guayabera shirt!
The clincher for me was when Jose invited me to celebrate one of his co-workers birthday’s in the meeting. I never pass up an offer or opportunity to eat birthday cake, ever!
Posted March 8th, 2010by Javier Manjarres6 Comments »
Senator George LeMieux( a regular reader of the Shark Tank) held a town hall meeting to speak to concerned citizens about the controversial ‘Obamacare’ bill that is being mulled over in Washington, D.C. About a hundred or so people attended the event, included local elected officials, as well as representatives from the local, state and national Republican Party. Senator LeMieux made a compelling case as to why this current healthcare bill ‘The Messiah’ is trying to jam down our throats is wrong for the country. LeMieux spoke of making healthcare more affordable to Florida’s citizens by allowing interstate competition. He also said that he was dead set on tackling the issue of medical fraud that has plagued the healthcare industry in Florida.
Attendees were allowed to ask healthcare related questions to the Senator, as well as share their personal experiences and ordeals. Because the meeting ran so long, only a few questions were allowed to the press after the event. Normally, I am ‘Javi on the spot’ and am ready for the opportunity to ask the question, but I fumbled the question I posed to the Senator. However, being that I am calm, cool collected, charismatic and your ever humble correspondent, I was able to recover the fumble and finish the play. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted March 4th, 2010by Javier Manjarres22 Comments »
Robert Lowry is also running to become the Republican candidate in Congressional District 20 that will ultimately square off against uber-liberal Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Lowry’s hard work since formally declaring his candidacy is evident, as he has greatly improved his knowledge of public policy as well as having improved his delivery and public speaking. Lowry’s early entry into the race perhaps gives him an advantage in his primary, and we shall soon see if Lowry’s command of the issues and his real world business experience will be enough to convince primary voters that he is the right man to take on Wasserman-Schultz.’
When you visit his website, go to the issue page and read about Lowry’s positions on several of these key issues that are impacting our country as we speak. Lowry makes the case for being a true conservative and formidable opponent to anyone that he may face.
‘I believe that America’s best years are ahead of us, but only if we take the steps necessary to stop the insanity. These steps are very simple, if we are willing to put in the effort: First, by electing Representatives and Senators who represent what we think and how we would vote. This is why I am running. Second, by telling those we elect what we think, and what we want them to do. Finally, by encouraging them when they stand up for us, or holding them accountable at the ballot box when they do not. Click on the logo to visit the website.
Posted March 4th, 2010by Javier Manjarres32 Comments »
I am following up, as promised, to the ‘Tea Party debate brews up’piece I posted back on January 26 of this year. To refresh your memories, here is the opening to the post.
‘The public’s growing dissent with both the Democratic and Republican parties has revived the call for a third political party to break the present two-party monopoly in American politics. In Florida, the “Tea Party” has officially formed and registered a political party that in our opinion will only bleed votes from the Republican Party and ensure future Democrat victories. Opponents of the official “Tea Party” have begun to make the case why the “Tea Party” lacks the infrastructure, a coherent platform, money, or the leaders at this juncture to become a credible force in electoral politics that has the ability to get its candidates elected.’
The Shark Tank’s view on this issue is unwavering. We continue to think the Tea ‘Political” Party is a detriment to the Republican party. But in all fairness, we are posting a letter sent to us by Nick Egoroff of Orlando, Florida. Egoroff is the Communications Director for the Tea ‘Political’ Party.
I welcome everyone to let us know how they feel about this issue by leaving a comment. Thanks.
The Shark Tank’s objective is to provide an open forum for a wide variety of perspectives on this topic, as we will encourage guest authors to publish their viewpoints.
Posted March 4th, 2010by Javier Manjarres2 Comments »
My good friend Bernard Sansaricq has decided to run for Congress in Florida’s District 23 against the ‘dis’-honorable ex-con, Congressman Alcee Hastings. To be perfectly honest with you all, I really don’t know where to begin when it came to writing about Bernard. Bernard is a dedicated family man whose passion for politics cannot be measured.
Bernard Sansaricq speaks from the heart when he articulates the reason why he is running for Congress, and why Hastings needs to be defeated. He has been been traveling and meeting with residents throughout the district since 2009 and has garnered the respect and support from many local leaders.
We need to make a consorted effort to help Bernard defeat Hastings this year. District 23 is the poorest district in the entire state. I ask you all to donate to the Bernard Sansaricq campaign and get involved by volunteering.
Posted March 2nd, 2010by Javier Manjarres3 Comments »
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, candidate for Florida Attorney General, has just put this position statement regarding the corruption that has affected all levels of government.
Now more than ever we need transparency and accountability in our government. Over the last year is has become readily apparent that too many politicians are conducting business in a way that puts their self-interest ahead of the interest of the people they were elected to serve. Numerous local officials have even been arrested for breaking the very laws they have sworn to uphold.
Since 2007 more than 30 public officials have been removed from office by the Governor. Only a few months ago the FBI arrested three Broward County Commissioners for accepting millions of dollars in trade for illegal favors. This rash of public corruption lead the Governor to petition the Florida Supreme Court to empanel a grand jury to investigate corruption in South Florida. I support this effort as a necessary first step to restore public confidence in government. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted March 2nd, 2010by Javier Manjarres24 Comments »
Florida’s Congressional seat in district 20 is considered by many to be a very safe seat for the Democrat Party. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has held this seat safe for the Democrats since winning in 2004. There is no mistaking the fact that Wasserman-Schultz is one of the most liberal members of Congress and is lock-step with the Socialist agenda of President Barack Hussein Obama.
Just recently, local businesswoman Karen Harrington(R) decided that she would take a stab at unseating Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz when she announced that she would run for Congress on January 26th of this year.
In my opinion, Harrington has all the tools to pull off an upset in District 20. Karen speaks about her beliefs and principles with confidence and conviction. Her campaign is already off and running at a blistering pace with a team of dedicated volunteers and very supportive family. Harrington understands that she has a large task at hand, but believes that this aggressive and dangerous agenda the Democrat Party and Wasserman- Schultz have subscribed to,and are imposing on the country, needs to be stopped.Read the rest of this entry »
Posted March 2nd, 2010by Javier Manjarres11 Comments »
Today marks the first day of the 2010 Florida legislative session up in Tallahassee. Aside from the monumental challenge of balancing the state budget, the issue of energy independence- most notably, the issue of off-shore oil drilling- must be addressed.
Groups such as EnergyFla, are out promoting the fact that Florida needs to become more both diversified and independent as it pertains to energy. EnergyFla is a strong proponent of the safe exploration and extraction of oil off the coast of Florida.
I tend to agree with them when they state that off-shore oil drilling can be done safely and efficiently, in addition to the fact that exploration will create many needed jobs for the citizens of Florida.
On EnergyFla’s website, they effectively make the case for off-shore oil drilling and the economic crisis that the state finds itself in.
