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Friday, January 15, 2021

The Biden American Recovery Plan

FLORIDA
WEST COAST

Opinion by:
E. Eugene Webb PhD

President elect Joe Biden introduced his first phase of the American Recovery Plan Thursday evening January 14^th, 2021 in an early evening nationwide address.

The plan, put together by Biden and his aides, includes stimulus checks for about $1400 for individuals, rent subsidy support, an eviction moratorium, increased food stamp benefits, childcare credits, child tax credits, emergency paid leave support, extended unemployment support, small business support, additional funding for vaccinations, state and local government support, and support for a nationwide 15-hour minimum wage.

In Biden’s address, there is no mention of where the money to fund all this is going to come from, instead a reasoning that a massive 1.9 trillion-dollar investment will ultimately pay for itself in a renewed and invigorated economy.

Metaphorically speaking, given the current state of the economy, the continued spread of the coronavirus and an uncertain Congress, even though the Democrats hold a slim majority, it's difficult to be sure if there are enough pots or enough chickens.

President elect Biden’s calls for coming together, unity, and working across party lines, are going to be difficult for a lot of Americans to digest as they watch an inauguration which is going to take place in what will look like an armed fortress.

It almost raises the question: who is really trying to take over this government by force The Democrats or the Republicans?

The pundits are preaching armed attack and insurrection; the President-elect is calling for calm and contrition as Democrats have finally managed to accomplish their greatest goal of the Trump presidency: impeaching him for a second time. The US Senate will likely take up the impeachment trial a short time after the president's inauguration.

We haven't heard much from the far left of the Democratic Party as they prepare to inaugurate the new president, but rest assured the far left have not abandoned their socialistic views, and their desire to move this country in that direction.

In many ways, Biden’s America Recovery Plan has hints of a socialistic approach to managing a domestic disaster. We need to approach the future cautiously.

It's going to be a very difficult first 100 days for president elect Biden. With the massive issues on the domestic front and our friends and adversaries abroad viewing us as severely weakened, the Biden administration is certain to have its hands full.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Rick Kriseman and BAIT GATE

FLORIDA
WEST COAST

Opinion by:
E. Eugene Webb PhD

It all started out quite innocently.

Saint Pete City Council member Robert Blackman wanted to refurbish the historic bait shop that was part of the Saint Pete pier which they originally constructed for the 1926-million-dollar pier.

Blackman wanted to refurbish the old bait house and put it on the new Pier. Blackman’s concept was to restore the old bait house and lease it out. He saw both a historical value and a revenue value from the rents.

The old bait house was kind of a throwback to pier history.

Once mayor Kriseman and his inner circle discovered that the Councilman was serious about renovating the Bait House they sprang into action.

Follow the trail of intrigue with Tampa Bay Times Josh Solomon: With discussion looming, Kriseman ordered nearly century-old bait house destroyed.

Tampa Bay Times Josh Solomon: St. Pete Council member accuses mayor of ‘illegal activity’ in bait house demolition.

This isn't the first time that the mayor has taken a fairly aggressive action to get his way with his priceless waterfront and his special pier. Just for the record, let me recall for you in the following posts some of the actions that went on that led to the concrete box on the Bay and a park at or near sea level, which is destined to flood in the very near future if you listen to Kriseman's own climate-change rhetoric.

The Pier – who got us here

The New Pier a Project out of control

Funding St. Pete’s new pier

The good mayor invoked everything from the coronavirus to the city budget as an excuse for not wanting to do the restoration, but I think the real reason is poop.

Yep, just poop. Actually, Pelican poop.

Kriseman holds his creation of the new Saint Pete pier as a holy mission. And I'm pretty sure the thought of an antique bait shop provisioned like the old one where the Pelicans walked around eating and pooping on the sidewalk is not exactly part of the mayor's concept. Some of the Pelicans took up almost permanent residence at the old bait shop. There are a lot of locals and winter visitors who came back to the pier and specifically the old bait house just to see their Pelican friends.

Just hard to understand what the mayor has against Pelicans.

Kriseman has never been afraid to walk the line of legality and good taste when it comes to getting his way with his Pier.

Quoting from the Josh Solomon article, “But email records show Kriseman knew about Blackmon’s initiative before demolition occurred.”

Kriseman has also never been one to let facts stand in the way of a decision he thinks needs to be made.

I think it's time to draw the line. Council member Blackman, and the rest of his fellow council members should proceed quickly with a project to design and construct a replica of the old bait house.

So where is the money going to come from?

The first effort should be to put out a go fund me request and see if the people of Saint Pete would like to see the old bait house back on the pier. Who knows, you might be able to raise enough money to do the whole thing and not affect the city budget one little bit.