Sometimes referred to as Hometown Democracy, this law means to take the power from corrupt politicians, and the developers who line their pockets, and put it back in the hands of the people. We must stop overbuilders from bankrupting our state through sprawl, speculation, and sell outs.
Anyone who’s driven through northern Hillsborough and Pasco counties has inevitably looked around at a red light and thought to themselves, “God damn. Who built this shit?”
Our elected officials, throughout the state, have allowed businesses to overdevelop our most precious rural areas and create traffic jams, overpriced housing and financial ruin. Year after year, they destroy our landscape with strip malls, car lots and subdivisions, creating an epidemic of foreclosures and abandoned businesses.
Great going, guys.
Amendment 4 will change that, requiring voter support when councils and commissions approve yet another “growth opportunity.” Not surprisingly, corporations that stand to lose the most are upset over the idea of a powerful electorate. After all, they can’t take that many people out to bars and give away that many resort vacations. Likewise, politicians are upset because they can’t possibly be expected to pay for drinks and hookers out of their own pockets.
Powerful interests want to defeat Amendment 4 because they like the way the system works. Even if it only works for them.
Expect the usual arguments and scare tactics. Voters must dig to find the truth behind sinister motives. Developers have helped to destroy our economy and now want to make it right. They are akin to rapists suing for custody of the child that was created. If we couldn’t trust these people to do the right thing before, we sure as hell can’t trust them now.
Some people will say, “Throw the bums out.” We have voted corrupt politicians out of office, but we can’t reverse their decisions. Have you tried to turn a car lot into a conservation area?
Our commissioners and councilmembers know this. That’s why they are trying to push through shoddy deals and improper measures, before Amendment 4 would go into effect.
Spearheading the campaign against Amendment 4 is Citizens for Lower Taxes & A Stronger Economy. Great name. Let me guess, Citizens for Mom and Apple Pie was taken?
Do not be fooled.
Check the background of those who are adamantly against this amendment and spending millions to defeat it. The list of opponents is mostly construction companies, real estate speculators and the politicians who benefit from their influence. Messages airing on Florida television and radio stations are demeaning and insulting.
They tell us that voters cannot be trusted to understand such complex issues. Really? What’s so complex about looking at miles of car dealerships and thrift stores and pawn shops and throwing up?
Who thought that was a good idea?
Let me and my neighbors take a stab at it. I’m betting we’ll make better decisions about the area surrounding our homes than those who live far away on a beach somewhere.
They tell us we will lose jobs and our economy will suffer. These are the same companies that benefited from the federal bailout and lobbied against environmental safeguards. In short, they are lying. These businesses and their partnering politicians created this sluggish economy. They, too, drive by thousands of abandoned homes and businesses and try to pretend their irresponsibility isn’t to blame.
Stop them from creating a bigger mess. Vote yes on Amendment 4.
You can find Catherine Durkin Robinson Out in Left Field. Her first novel, Olivia's Kiss, is available on Kindle.
