Howard Troxler: Appeal to people of Florida to stop direct bribery of Legislature

[seafan]

Troxler:


April 24, 2011

Let the record and the history books show that no matter what else the 2011 Florida Legislature does, wise or unwise, it has done one thing utterly and morally despicable, and beyond any excuse or redemption.

With greed and lust and arrogance, on March 24, 2011, the Florida Legislature voted to legalize the direct bribery of the Legislature itself.

.....

As of that date — for legislators rushed to make it the law immediately — it is legal for the leaders of the Democratic and the Republican parties in our Legislature to run so-called leadership funds to accept direct, unlimited payoffs from those seeking favorable treatment.

Such payoffs were part of Florida's corrupt past as late as 1989. They have been outlawed in this state for more than two decades.

Until now.

.....

The people with the sacred power of writing the laws of our democracy with one hand now can legally hold out a money sack with the other.

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Troxler on March 29:

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The bill in question is House Bill 1207, passed in the 2010 legislative session.

Then-Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed it. (On March 24, 2011) the Legislature overrode the veto.

The House vote was 81-39. The Senate vote was 30-9.

.....

True to his word, Mr. Troxler, in his final few weeks with the St. Petersburg Times, is appealing for our help in countering these criminals holding our Legislature hostage to their greed.


He is calling on editorial pages, radio hosts, bloggers, church groups, neighbors, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, and all citizens of Florida to engage their Legislators, especially those who voted for this criminal legislation and demand that they repeal it before they adjourn this Legislative session and leave Tallahassee in the coming days.


Or, as Howard Troxler puts it, 'don't come home at all.'

[Festivito]

1. Incredible. From the season: They know not what they do.

At least it's nicer to think they don't.