Yes I know the Republicans will not be happy with me again, but I don’t care. Last time I looked. The people are my boss, not the Republicans.

A news article from Charlie Justice who is running against C.W. Bill Young reports some hard facts that I’ve been saying since September. Here’s the article: Charlie Justice says the Legislature raised $2 billion in new taxes and fees
(Source: St. Pete Times)

In his statement he claims the state raised taxes for 2009 by $2.2 billion. Which is very true. Here are the numbers.

• $935 million from a $1-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes.
• $797 million from sharp fee increases to get a driver’s license or new car tags.
• $304 million in higher business taxes to replenish Florida’s bankrupt unemployment compensation trust fund.
• $195 million from fee increases for filing various types of court motions.

The part he doesn’t mention is he (Justice) voted for these increases too. (I looked at the voting record.) So to me he’s just as guilty. The other part is: he never mentions these tax increases are charged to the people.

• Cigarettes – people.
• Driver’s license – people
• Higher business taxes – forces companies to raise fee’s to customers or close their doors.
• Court motions – charged to the people who file them. (marriage licenses, divorces, simple court procedures)

As I am looking at the current bills filed in the house. I can see a new pattern they are doing. The state needs to raise or cut billions on the budget. So they have bills that raise taxes on the factory/business level. Which means you pay for the taxes by means of wholesale cost.  There is a bill to place a tax on bottle water at the factory level. That way you’ll think the factory raised the price but the truth is, they tax the water before it got to you.

This isn’t a “new” thing. It’s something they have done in the past. By means of cutting tax breaks to farmers, raising fee’s on shipping companies. Remember when diesel was cheaper than gas? (tax increase on making diesel)

We really need politicians who will do the un-popular thing in the state. Like make those choices to cut spending, kill the “buying your love” special deals, deregulate businesses, closes government offices that are deigned to hurt the people.
We need politicians who will commit to “political suicide” to fix this state.

I think it’s great that the EPA will listen to the people of Florida before they punish us with over $1 billion fines.

This is what I am talking about, “EPA to provide pollution limits for Florida waters.” Then you need to read this “EPA agrees to hear more comments on new water regulations.”

I am really getting tired of self governing offices punishing and taxing us to feed the federal government. Our law makers need to put their foots down on this issues and say “No More!”

Let’s call this what it really is, it’s a “water tax.” It punishes our cities, businesses and farms. Of course that means the “people” will finally have to pay the bill. Here’s another thought. Why are we allowing the federal government to intervene in how we run our state? As I look at the constitution, we control them, they don’t control us.

Tallahassee, grow a set and put the EPA in their place! Here’s a better thought. Close the DEP that will send a message to Washington. Floridians will take care of Florida, Washington, worry about the military.

If you didn’t get a chance to hear me on WJTK 96.5 The Jet (FM) here are 2 audio clips from my interview. (link to radio station)

Rauch1 Rauch2

I would like to invite everybody to come to the Rally for Truth this Saturday February 27th from Noon to 3PM. You can read about this event here. (link)

This is a great and cheep way for you to meet many candidates and politicians to share your thoughts and voice your ideas. I truly hope everybody can make it.