We should feel good about the successes my Democratic associates and I had with the election, but I feel more like a Roman who is watching a Christian entering into the arena to deal with the gladiators and animals. Times are really tough here in Florida. We are approaching a 10% unemployment rate and those who have jobs are not using their income for anything but life's essentials. One reporter noticed that retailers are seeing Christmas gift cards used only for families’ food and necessities. Without that cash flow from the sale of durable goods our retail businesses are closing right and left. The Republican’s state legislature is blind to the needs of Florida and has slashed 2.3 billion from the wrong areas within the state budget. In addition they have raided all the trust funds set aside for future needs instead of facing down some of the most powerful lobbyists in Tallahassee...those representing the tobacco, alcohol and gambling industries. A cry is being raised across Florida to raise taxes on products of those special interest groups, as well as, close the special interest loopholes in the state sales tax code. Meanwhile our legislature is more concerned with a good election result in 2010 than in the welfare of the State of Florida. They might be surprised by the reaction of the Florida voter in November 2010. Voters of Florida will remember how our Legislature mishandled tough times and budget decisions during the crucial days of 2009. Enough said about the depressing trends in our Nation's economy.

What heartens me is the style of leadership shown by the President Barrack Obama and the Democratic party as they form a new government. I really like the conciliatory tone being set by the new leaders of the federal government as they take on the challenges of this County's economy, war and social depression. A majority of the American public did not like the decisions made by the Republican administration over the last 8 years, but almost all of us believe in conciliation as power is passed from one administration to the next. It's a grand old American tradition. Don't punish people for making mistakes when you have asked them to make decisions for the benefit of the nation. Of course that doesn't include malfeasance! Instead we believe in taking on the challenge of correcting mistakes and mistaken programs and changing course toward a better future for all Americans. Well at least I hope we do... "Yes we can!".