Hydrogen Infrastructure and High Speed Trains

The following was provided to the Florida Whig Party by Steve Bacon, Candidate for the 7th Congressional District of Florida. The letter was originally sent to members of the Florida Legislature and has been slightly modified for Internet publication.

11/30/2009

The Sun Rail Deal

Steve Bacon, Candidate

7th Congressional District - Florida

Implementation of the 1.2 billion dollar plan plus the ad valorem involvement for infrastructure is not in the best deal for Central Floridians. There are issues that put riders at risk.

1. The CSX line will not be committed to passenger service. It will continue to operate as a freight service under a free right of way.

2. The CSX line is completely unprotected and accessible to the public.

3. CSX accident history is unacceptable. Review the CSX accident record on shared passenger freight service. If the State of Florida owns the line it will accept liability for the results of bodily injury and property damage. Also, review the Russian bullet train accident.

4. The maintenance issue is a problem, because the State of Florida will have the liability and expense.

There is better alternate plan to be considered, the hydrogen superhighway traveler concept car. Review http://www.interstatetraveler.us/ and take the six minute reality tour.

The benefits are in seriatim are as follows:

1. This project costs around 1/3 the cost of the current plan and would save eight billion dollars for Floridians for four hundred miles of structure and rail. The cost of structure under the alternate plan would be 1 billion per 100 miles versus 3 billion under the high speed Rail plan.

2. It would take only 200 days to complete at a rate of two miles a day. That would encompass Miami, Tampa, and Daytona (four hundred miles), rather than from Deland and Tampa (140 miles), at the same cost of approximately 4 billion.

3. This project has better security because it is raised over cross bridges, high above traffic and will not separate from track.

4. 150 million dollars of Volusia county money could be saved with the inclusion of the infrastructure in the request for tarp money, particularly when residents of the county are struggling financially.

I suggest, consideration be given to approve the building of two miles of test track based on a risk free agreement, built on Interstate 4 right of way, subject to DOT approval and supervision. The project is worth discussion as an alternative to the CSX deal.

Why build on purchased lands, using old technology, when government land is available?

Earmark the money spent thus far on CSX as research and development, and go forward with a train system that will draw world attention, enhance tourism, and improve the Florida economy.

/s/ Steve Bacon

The Florida Whig Party has taken several days to review hydrogen energy, combined with solar generation in regard to propulsion possibilities. The ideas and concepts are worthy of discussion and consideration. If the state and nation are headed towards mass rail transportation, then the Interstate Traveler Company of Detroit, Michigan presents an interesting concept worthy of legitimate consideration. Lastly, the emphasis on "high speed" will remain a concern in light of the recent terrorist attack on the Russian high speed train that caused several dozen fatalities (story). Congressional candidates such as Steve Bacon, who are willing to think outside the box, are a needed voice and deserving of a seat in Congress.

45 Murdered in One Day

"Words can hardly convey how vicious, how over the top, Mexico's drug war has become. So they invented some. The Mexican media now have a special expression for being lined up and shot, and another for being dumped in the trunk of a car (we'll get to these). There are also terms for mafia kidnappings, for drug-gang spies and for the hand-scrawled notes hit men leave with the bodies of their victims. The lingo is grim, but how else to portray such savagery as beheadings and bodies cut up and cooked in acid?"

Los Angeles Times: Click Here

Florida Whig Party Commentary: Click Here

Law Enforcement & Mr. Ponzi

Adderley didn't answer specific questions in his statement Wednesday, saying he is unable to do so now because of the open federal investigation into Rothstein. The investigation includes a look at the police department's dealings with Rothstein. Click here for the SunSentinel article. Click here for a Florida Whig audio about law enforcement and politics.

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RECENT UPDATES - DECEMBER 16, 2009

From the Northwest Florida Daily News: "Is it any wonder there are more people stepping forward to take on U.S. Reps. Jeff Miller and Allen Boyd in 2010? “If you look at the polls, pretty much across the board people are getting so disgusted with Congress,” said Wendell Griffith, a political science and history teacher at Northwest Florida State College. “A lot of people out there are saying ‘even our guys got to go”. For more information about Whig Coalitions in the Florida Panhandle, contact Professor Wendell Griffith.

RECENT UPDATES - DECEMBER 15, 2009

I Smell A Rat - SunRail, DOT, and CSX

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

Overrun By Politics

Aaron Deslatte of the Orlando Sentinel wrote an article titled "Is Florida retirement system overrun by politics?" The article should be read by everyone not once but twice. Read the article once from start to finish then read it a second time with pencil and paper. Take notes, then go online and begin putting the rest of a vast financial puzzle together involving the Florida State Retirement System, multiple state trust funds, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Chief Financial Officer.

The Florida Whig Party has been beating the drum for a year now that the oversight of billions of dollars in trust funds is inadequate, lacks full transparency, and is highly political. The problems have been going on for a long time and include family members and others of those who are politically connected are far too often being hired to perform consulting services and/or appointed as department or division heads. The fiduciary standards owed to the citizens of the State of Florida should be second to none.

In the article by Mr. Deslatte, it says: "We are the envy of the nation," McCollum explained, when it comes to how the pension fund has weathered the financial storm. "Any change we make to the system today should be done with great caution." This shows how ignorant, short-sighted, and/or political McCollum is. Florida is a state that has rapidly grown in the past several decades. As such, state employees covered under the Florida State Retirement System (FSRS) greatly outnumber retirees. In addition, many employees are second career transplants and have not established long-term residency or pension benefits. As time passes, the ratios will change. The number of FSRS pensioners will increase as will the number of high salary employees. The number of those who have enhanced pensions under the category of “special risk” is also dramatically increasing. This isn’t rocket science, it is simply actuarial fact.

As for Sink, the article states: "Since then, Sink has been pushing to reform oversight of the SBA's $129 billion in investments. She wants to add a public-employee representative and someone with financial and investment expertise." The Florida Whig party agrees with half of what Sink said, financial and investment expertise is needed, but putting a public-employee representative in a position of oversight is simply dead wrong. Instead, the Florida Whig Party has always encouraged the appointment of a member of the Florida Press Association with a broad and deep understanding of finance. We can think of no other organization better suited to have as a representative on a board that manages billions than a member of the press. Who better is there to represent the holistic interests of We the People?

Technical economic articles that discuss actuarial facts (the mathematical realities of life) are rarely written unless there is a blazing fire of misdeed as most people are simply not hardwired to focus on issues from a numbers point of view. Instead, emotions overwhelming guide the electronic and print media centered viewer, reader, and voter.

Congratulations to Aaron Deslatte and the Orlando Sentinel for a well written article that needs additional column inches devoted to a full and comprehensive financial investigative report as we roll into the 2010 election.

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"Next time you come to the ER, remember who you screwed."

If this story is accurate, the physician involved should have his medical license revoked. Click here for more details.

Supplemental Link - Florida Department of Health, Consumer Services Unit, Complaint Form. Mail complaints to 4052 Bld Cypress Way, Bin C75, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3275.

The law enforcement agency involved in the arrest has an obligation to notify the appropriate regulatory agency and forward the dashcam audio and video of the threat if caught on film if the administration remotely believes in the traditional law enforcement motto: "Serve, Protect, and Defend".

SunRail

A viable statewide passenger rail system is a worthy goal; however, the SunRail will cost the taxpayers of Florida dearly over the next three to four decades. Lofty goals and unrealistic funding of legislation is bad public policy in Washington and Tallahassee.

The Florida Department of Transportation is a state agency that is consumed with road-building. Now the agency has rail enterprises on its plate and an extra $60 in its budget.

Tri-Rail is the commuter line that serves Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade. Tri-Rail has an annual operating deficit of $15 million, which is off-set by state tax dollars. Gasoline taxes are also a subsidy source for Tri-Rail. Keep in mind that the density of the population in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade is one of the highest in the state and thus, everyone should question the overall financial feasibility of the SunRail; which should be called the Theme Park Rail.

The redirection of $60 million in documentary stamp taxes is nothing more than taking money from the left pocket, putting it in the right pocket, and then exclaiming that you’ve found new money. One word: Disgusting.

There are three winners as a result of the SunRail legislation, CSX, theme parks, and the State Legislators who have, are, and will continue to stuff their campaign coffers (and with some, the back pockets of family, friends, neighbors, and relatives besides their own).

While we wish the endeavor the best and hope for financial independence through ridership usage, we strongly recommend that you not hold your breath, despite the fact that this cannonball run is coming directly from the special interest colon of toxic ohhs and ahs.

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Henry Kelley - FL Congressional District 1

For more information about Henry Kelley, click here.

The following comes directly from the Henry Kelley campaign website; it makes sense:

I will follow the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida.

I will read all bills before voting on anything. I will ensure that legislation is within Constitutional frameworks. I will not support legislation that I believe violates the US Constitution or State of Florida Constitution. I will not pass unfunded mandates that cause an increase in taxes at the State of Florida level. I will work to ensure Congress is upholding its Constitutional authority as intended by the original framers of the Constitution.

Keep taxes low.

Congress alone has the Constitutional authority for taxes, I will sign on and support HR 25, the Fair Tax Bill, and I will work hard to pass this bill to reform our tax structure and return the tax power to individuals and away from Congress. The measure introduces a responsible way to provide transparent revenues to the Federal Government.

Spend responsibly.

The US government is borrowing 40% of its operating budget. Social Security and Medicare are going broke. I will not vote for new spending programs until we show an overall reduction in government spending. Congress has the Constitutional responsibility for fiscal policy, and I will work to ensure Congress works within a balanced budget with revenues generated from the Fairtax bill.

Promote and defend all freedom.

I believe that we traded freedom for security after 9/11 and will resist efforts to regulate the internet, or other forms of communication. I believe in the Bill of Rights, and will work to ensure all aspects of the Bill of Rights are kept free. As a veteran of Desert Storm, I support the military and efforts to protect as from terrorists. At the same time, I will be a zealous guard of my fellow Floridian’s privacy and rights under the 4th and 5th amendments.

Keep elected leaders accountable and demand transparency.

I will post any bills on my website for all to read. I will hold regular town hall meetings and conference calls with my constituents. I will post on my website any meetings I am invited to by lobbyists or other special interest groups. No exceptions for Congress – I will not vote for any legislation that excludes Congress from the provisions of the bill.

I will share my own faults – I have 2 divorces, had to declare bankruptcy and lost my home due to financial problems. I understand the pressures on the middle class, and will strive to improve the lives of that group. I have had 6 figure incomes and lost it due to a business deal gone badly because I didn’t research it well enough. I will not make that mistake again, either personally or with legislation that I will vote on. This is the level of transparency you should expect of me, and any elected official on all levels – Federal, State and Local.

Individual responsibility is the cornerstone of freedom.

We are responsible for our own actions. I faced my own mistakes and have decided to work hard to ensure that others have the most protection possible from special interests, but Americans also have a responsibility to be involved, be educated and stay informed. For too long I stood on the sidelines while both political parties took advantage of the taxpayers, and I have decided enough is enough. I have long read and studied legislation and will act in the best interest of the First District of Florida, and not a political party or special interest group.

Sliding Into The Abyss

It was only a few decades ago that nobody went to work for the government with the idea that they would make a bundle and retire to the finest retirement communities; that has all changed. Government employees earn an average of 21% more than those in the private sector and are vastly more likely to have health care.

For a year now, the Florida Whig Party has been talking about the importance of properly funding the Florida State Retirement System and the fraud that is taking place with many high ranking officials who enjoy special risk pensions while performing nothing close to special risk duties. There are many problems with the FSRS (such as a Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Financial Officer who all work part-time and are the trustees of the massive fund), but Florida is not alone.

Nationwide, 84% of all state and local government workers enjoy a defined benefit pension plan while a mere 21% of all private sector employees have such a plan. Defined benefit pension plans are similar to Social Security in that they guarantee a retirement income based upon years of service and a final average salary while 401(k) plans do not. The investment risk is on the shoulders of the employer with a defined benefit pension plan while a 401(k) [403(b) or 457 in the public sector] places the investment risk on the shoulders of the plan participant.

In California alone, the unfunded liabilities of retirement programs exceed $100 billion through 2015 by our calculations. In addition, retiree health programs could double debt.

A recently retired chief of police from Newport Beach has a pension of $221,554.56 a year, plus upcoming cost of living adjustments. Consider and compare this amount to the $217,400 annual salary paid to Chief Justice Roberts of the United States Supreme Court in 2008.

The working men and women across this nation in the private sector have got to begin paying attention, stop listening to sound bites, and start thinking for themselves. Nothing will ever change until We the People join forces, act intelligently and in unison. The Florida Whig Party invites you to join America’s third party (the Whigs). If you work and pay taxes, then begin by changing your voter registration to the Florida Whig Party, join as a delegate, contribute and work for Whig candidates, and recruit one person to the Party every two months. If you do not engage now, the political action committees, unions, urban community action groups, and multi-national corporations will continue to control the outcome of elections through advertising and influence peddling dollars. The nation is rapidly approaching the tipping point of no return; a slide into the abyss of government debt and indentured servitude to foreign investors and sovereign fund managers.

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