Myopic viewpoint

Tunnel vision is the simplest way to describe Commission James Atkins view of Hernando County. Atkins' myopic viewpoint of taking the keys out of the THE bus only serves to illustrate his poor understanding of the funding the county receives from the state of Florida, and the federal government.

Atkins answer to everything is throwing out sarcastic one-liners to make a point. His reference to THE Bus ridership and that of the Space Shuttle is really wearing on the public patience. Maybe its time he educates himself to how our local government really works, in conjunction with the state, and the federal government. His lack of intelligence on the issues becomes more apparent with each commission meeting. Maybe if he had spend a little time attending MPO meetings, and regional planning meetings, before he ran for office he would understand the scope of the problems Hernando County faces with "just parking THE bus".

Atkins indicated that he had positive response for his statements concerning THE Bus. He attributed them to 28 to 30 emails about the topic. Someone should ask him if these emails were from the dwindling membership of the HCREC.

Thank goodness Commissioner David Russell is so astute on transportation funding from his days in the Florida Legislature. Russell stood up to the plate, and asked for help, from TBARTA and the FDOT, for the THE bus system in Hernando County. He knows that millions of dollars of transportation funds are at stake with the survival of the THE Bus. Russell also knows that the bus system needs to be radically changed in our tough economic times.

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Congratulations go out the RNC for electing Michael Steele as the new chairman of the Republican Party!

Twice the jobs

Below is a press release from Congresswoman Brown-Waite's press secretary concerning the House GOP Economic Recovery Plan:

Good afternoon,
I wanted to make sure you all had the opportunity to check out this new website that was created to detail the House GOP Economic Recovery plan, http://republicanwhip.house.gov/jobs. There is a breakdown of the legislation below.
As you saw during the debate on the House floor over the Republican alternative to President Obama’s massive spending bill, the alternative offered by GOP Reps. Camp and Cantor will create twice the jobs at half the price of the economic package than the bill Democrats forced through the House despite bipartisan opposition.
There is also an interesting breakdown done by congressional district detailing how much President Obama’s spending plan will cost constituents living in the 5th District. You may find that information at http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=prsh62-jMU9QD87fK92bobQ.
If you have any questions about the Republican plan to stimulate the economy, please feel free to give me a call. Be sure to check out the new website though at http://republicanwhip.house.gov/jobs.
Thanks, and have a great weekend,
Charlie

Memorial of David Sturgess

Friday, January 30th

Brewer Memorial Funeral Homes
7-Hills Chapel
280 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill

5 pm to 7 pm Gathering in Memory of David.
There will be a Time of Tribute beginning at 7pm to share the memories & stories of how David touched our lives.

Saturday, January 31st

Northcliffe Baptist Church
10515 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill

4pm Service with reception immediately following at the churches Fellowship Hall.

David’s wishes are that in lieu of flowers we each make a contribution to our favorite local charity.

As we gather together to bid farewell to our “Friend”, may we all remember with a smile that he is now in heaven dancing with Theresa, the love of his life.

May God Bless You & Keep You,

Respectfully,


Marilyn Pearson-Adams, CRP,CRS,GMS,GRI
President
Hernando County Association of REALTORS®
7321 Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville, FL 34613

Good-riddance???

State Farm announced that their homeowner, and property insurance lines, are pulling out of the state of Florida and all Gov. Charlie Crist could say was good-riddance???

Hello, has anyone been paying attention to this issue? State Farm lost their bid to increase property insurance rates almost 50% with state regulator's so they decided it would be more cost-efficient for them to pull out of Florida. Governor Crist's response should have been good-ridden to all lines of insurance at State Farm. The Florida Legislature and the Governor should make it mandatory that insurance carriers offer all their lines of coverage or be barred from the state.

It will only be a matter of time before the only property insurance carrier left in Florida will be Citizen's Insurance. When that happens, no one in this state will have a choice of carriers. We will be stuck with a socialist system, having to buy our insurance from the state of Florida. What happened to the free market economy?

Did you forget about your campaign promise to fix the home owner's insurance in Florida, Charlie? Maybe everyone that has had their insurance canceled might say good-riddance to you on your next election!

Pork

Excerpts from a press release from the office of Ginny Brown-Waite just prior to the House vote on Democrat's $819 billion economic stimulus package yesterday:

“There is no doubt that our economy needs a kick start to put us back on the path to prosperity,” said Rep. Brown-Waite. “What we do not need, however, is yet another pork ridden bailout that produces few jobs, sends billions of your money to corrupt organizations like ACORN, and does nothing to put money back in the hands of American taxpayers.

“The best way to stimulate the economy and create jobs is to cut personal tax rates across the board, reduce the corporate tax rate, and better fund organizations like the Small Business Administration and the Federal Housing Administration. These concrete steps would stimulate job growth, put money into consumers’ hands quickly, and help prevent future home foreclosures.

“The bill before us today does virtually nothing to promote immediate job growth or help struggling businesses. American’s strength is based on the hard work and ingenuity of its citizens, not throwing taxpayer funds into yet another bureaucratic black hole. A real stimulus package should return tax dollars back to the people that paid them, provide real incentives for American businesses to hire new employees, and help people stay in their homes.


Congratulations to all the Republicans in Congress that rejected Obama's $819 billion pork-laden spending project in the House yesterday.

Standing Committees

Below is an article that I submitted as a paper in my journalism class at USF St. Pete. I wanted to say thanks to David Hamilton, county administrator and to Commissioners Russell and Rocco for all their assistance in this article.

Local government officials are taking a pro-active approach to provide more transparency with the public by establishing standing committees.

“The standing committee structures will be similar to those in the Florida Legislature,” County Commission Chairman David Russell said. As a former state representative, Russell suggested that the county-level committees will carry considerable weight even though their decisions will require full board of county commission concurrence.

“Staff and I are still working out the details,” said Russell when asked what his first priority would be for the budget and finance standing committee. “The committees will focus on line-item budget issues, purchases, acquisitions, audit recommendations and budget compliance.”

Commissioner Rose Rocco was appointed by the chairman to lead the budget and finance standing committee. Rocco pointed out that priorities will be needed to establish guidelines for community needs, without losing sight of budget constraints by unnecessary spending practices.

“I believe that I was chosen to lead this committee because our chairman has confidence in my abilities, and understands that I have a good feel for the needs of the community,” Rocco said. “My first priority is to come back with a balanced budget that is affordable, and accountable, to the citizens of Hernando County.”

“Including members of the public, with a background in each area related to the proposed committees brings the benefit of inclusion to consider public business,” Hernando County Administrator David Hamilton said. With the inclusion of county residents on these standing committees, Hamilton sees this method as a way to connect with the community.

“The objective of these standing committees will establish a transparent structure for commissioners to work with the public,” Hamilton said. It is his opinion that this structure will allow commissioners to work at a deeper policy level. “These standing committees should provide selected members of the public, and the general public, yet another opportunity to become engaged in their government,” said Hamilton.

A public workshop was conducted by the Hernando County Board of Commissioners in December where goals were established to form these standing committees. The standing committees will be made up of two county commissioners and three members of the public, according to public records.

Discussion at this workshop indicated the standing committees will review and make recommendations, to the commissioners at-large, on major issues facing the county. County government has specified that these committees will operate under the Florida Sunshine Law to provide recommendations but the final decision-making authority will remain with the sole discretion of the entire Hernando County Board of Commissioners.

This workshop provided the opportunity for county commissioners to direct county staff to develop concepts for two standing committees, a budget and finance standing committee, and an economic development standing committee, for their January agenda.

The Hernando County Board of Commissioners will review a packet of duties, and appointment options for these standing committees, at their January 27 meeting. According to public records, specific criteria will be used to screen members of the public for these committees. These records indicate that applicants for the budget and finance standing committee will be given consideration based on their background in banking or finance, and their senior management experience.

Each committee will consist of two county commissioners, and three members of the public, based on prior county commission discussions. The county staff is recommending a two-year appointment but stressed that members would need to have computer access because the county government is a paper-less system, with all their agendas digitally prepared and distributed by county staff.

While the final details are still under consideration for the county commissioners at their Jan. 27 meeting, all signs are favorable for the formation of these standing committees to include members of the public, government officials said.

“I believe that by bringing the expertise from the public, the process will be enhanced to a great degree,” Hernando County Commission Chairman David Russell said. “Doing so will provide more transparency, and objectivity, with private sector ideas and efficiencies.”

GBW press release

REP. BROWN-WAITE URGES FLORIDA SENATORS TO OPPOSE GEITHNER NOMINATION

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) today released the following statement and attached letter that was sent to Florida Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson regarding the nomination of Timothy Geithner to be the next Secretary of the Treasury. Over the past several weeks Rep. Brown-Waite’s office has been flooded with calls from constituents upset that one of the main architects of the financial industry meltdown has been nominated to head the United States Treasury Department, someone who cannot even manage his own taxes.

“If I were a Senator, I could not in good conscience vote for Timothy Geithner to be confirmed as Treasury Secretary,” said Rep. Brown-Waite. “Asking the American people to support someone who sat idly by while major Wall Street executives ran their companies into the ground is positively ridiculous. Instead of bringing oversight and much needed change to the New York Fed, it looks like Mr. Geithner went along with the status quo. His nomination is nothing more than a continuation of the failed bailout policies of the Bush Administration. This is not the change America is hoping for, but rather more of the same.

“Furthermore, it is past time for the parties in Washington, D.C. to take responsibility for their actions and admit that when you are in public office you should be held to a higher standard than the rest of America. President Obama called for an Era of Responsibility, and responsibility should begin with his appointees being accountable for their own actions. I would hope that Senators Martinez and Nelson will listen to Floridians and oppose his nomination when it comes up for a vote.”

One-stop source for veterans

REP. BROWN-WAITE TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL VETERAN BENEFIT RESOURCE FAIR

One-Stop Resource Fair for All Veteran Related Needs

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) will host her second annual veteran benefit resource fair Saturday, January 31st at the Nature Coast Technical High School in Brooksville. This year’s fair will feature representatives from local and national veteran agencies, and provide information and assistance, including: Veteran Claims services, Education Benefits, Employment Services, Housing/Social Services and Medical/Dental Services. Some of the highlights at this year’s fair will be the Blood Mobile to make a donation, as well as taping opportunities for the Veterans History Project.

“5th District veterans will once again have an opportunity to participate in a great event that provides a wealth of information about the services and benefits available to veterans,” said Rep. Brown-Waite. “Area residents, whether they are a veteran or know someone who served our country with honor and distinction, are invited to come out to the fair and get some information about resources available to veterans and their families.”

The veteran resource fair will feature officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs, local VSO officers and members of Rep. Brown-Waite’s staff, all in one place to support America’s heroes. Veterans are invited to join their friends and neighbors Saturday, January 31st at the Nature Coast Technical High School, located at 4057 California Street in Brooksville, just off Spring Hill Drive.

As a leading advocate for veterans, Rep. Brown-Waite wants to ensure all 5th District veterans have information about claims services, education, employment and housing resources, as well as medical and dental benefits. Also, if veterans are interested in giving their videotaped story for the Veterans History Project, please contact the Congresswoman’s office toll-free at (866) 492-4835.

DATE: Saturday, January 31, 2009

TIME: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

LOCATION: Nature Coast Technical High School
4057 California Street
Brooksville, FL

WHO: Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite
*Invited Groups and Organizations Listed Below are Subject to Change*

Scheduled to Attend:

James A. Haley VA Hospital
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. – Blood Mobile
Alzheimer’s Association – Memory Mobile
Veterans History Project – Taping Available by Appointment
CERT
DAV Post 67
Property Appraisers Office
Hernando County Veteran Service Office
Health and Human Services – will be doing Canned Food Drive
Lighthouse for the Blind
NSVA Seabees Island X6
FL National Cemetery
Central High School – Color Guard and Drill Teams
Springstead High School – AF Jr. ROTC Color Guard
Griffith Family Dental Group
West Central Chapter – Military Officers Association of America
NCTHS – Video Production Dept
Hernando Pasco Hospice
Gifts from Home

Invited to Attend but Not Yet Confirmed:

VFW Post 10209
Department of Veterans Affairs
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
EMT – Hernando County Fire and Rescue
Hernando County Health Department
Nature Coast Korean War Veterans Chapter 174
WWII Re-enactors
WWJB Radio
Career Central
Christian Contractors
Hernando County Veterans Roundtable
Marine Corps League Detachment
Lea’s Prayers and Postage
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association (WACS) – Chapter 97
Gulf Coast WAVES Unit 27
Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 – Military Order of the Purple Heart
Haley House
Sons of the Confederate Veterans
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
The Harbor
VFW Post – County Line Road (Pasco County)
Powell Middle School - Girl’s Chorus (45-60) to perform National Anthem and Armed Forces Medley
Family Readiness Group
Treats for the Troops
Red Shirt Friday
Young Marines – Marine Corps League Detachment 708

Questioning property interests

On Tuesday, the Hernando County Board of Commissioners voted on an issue of Waiver of Conflict for their bond council Nabor, Giblin and Nickerson of Tallahassee. This law firm represents the county government and the school board on issues relating to certain outstanding bonds. This firm requested Hernando County waive any potential conflict that might occur with their firm (Nabor, Giblin and Nickerson) representing the Hernando County School Board against HMA concerning a tax liability. Hernando County government is currently in a long-term lease agreement with HMA for their Brooksville Regional Hospital facility. The county commissioners approved this waiver for Nabor, Giblin and Nickerson after being assured that the county would not become a party to any future, potential litigation between the school board and HMA Hernando, Inc. / Brooksville Regional Hospital.

According their correspondence with the Hernando County Legal Department, Nabors, Giblin and Nickerson are questioning the property interests of Hernando HMA, Inc. under its lease agreement with Hernando County and whether HMA is subject to Ad Valorem taxation under applicable provisions of the Florida Constitution. They (Nabor, Giblin and Nickerson) anticipate the Hernando County School Board will be retaining their firm to seek a judicial declaration as to the taxability of HMA, as lessee under lease agreements with the county. Also in their letter to the county attorney, it was Nabors, Giblin and Nickerson's opinion that the leasehold improvements of HMA are subject to Ad Valorem taxation since they are used for a proprietary function.

Selected to serve

Representative Ginny Brown-Waite was selected to serve on the powerful House Ways & Means Committee for the 111th session of Congress.

“Our country faces many challenges today, none bigger than the pressing need for health care and entitlement reform,” said Rep. Brown-Waite. “As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I will work to protect Social Security benefits, find comprehensive solutions to the health care crisis facing our nation, fight to keep taxes low and stimulate job creation. I am excited to join Chairman Rangel, Ranking Member Camp and the other members of the Committee as we tackle the vital issues that affect the daily lives of all Americans.”

As our state senator, Ginny chaired the Florida Senate Health Committee. She also taught college-level health care policy and worked as a health care consultant. With the highest number of Medicare and Social Security recipients in any House district, Ginny comes well prepared to tackle the job before her on the House Ways & Means Committee.

Way to go, Ginny!

Merry Christmas!

The following is a re-run of a holiday message but I think it best conveys the message of Christmas. Please enjoy this transcript of Ronald Reagan's radio message from 1978:

Christmas-

Meaning no disrespect to the religious convictions of others, I still can’t help wondering how we can explain away what to me is the greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history. No one denies there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death by crucifixion.Where….is the miracle I spoke of? Well consider this and let your imagination translate the story into our own time-----possibly to your own home town.

A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his father’s shop. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his father’s shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside, walking from place to place, preaching all the while, even though he is not an ordained minister. He never gets farther that an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most.He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal, so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing---the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place for him so he is interred in a borrowed tomb.

End of story? No, the uneducated, property-less young man who…..left no written word has, for 2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the conquerors, general and admirals; all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived---all of them put together.How do we explain that? ......unless he really was what he said he was.

-Ronald Reagan / Daily Radio Commentary (syndicated) December, 1978

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
to your family from ours!

Hospital buy-in

Last Tuesday, the CEO of Brooksville Regional Hospital conducted a meeting at Silverthorn Country Club with approximately fifty local physicians. The topic of this meeting was to offer these doctors the opportunity to purchase ownership interest in Brooksville and Spring Hill Regional Hospitals.

These facilities are currently under a long term lease agreement with Hernando County government. Below is an email I sent to the county administrator to ask several questions about this proposed agreement:

From: A.L. Covell

Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 4:47 PM

To: David Hamilton

Cc: Dave Russell; John Druzbick; Jeff Stabins; Larry Jennings; Kent Weissinger; Garth Coller

Subject: Question, please

Mr. Hamilton,
Last Tuesday, the CEO of Brooksville Regional Hospital Kathy Burke had a meeting with approximately 50 local physicians. From what I understand this meeting was to propose a future buy-in of interested doctors into the Brooksville Regional/Spring Hill Regional facilities through HMA. At this meeting, it was indicated that the lease for these facilities, with the county, was worth approximately $214 million.

The questions that I have pertain to their lease agreement with Hernando County:

1. Is there an option to add doctors to this lease with HMA, in the event this agreement moves forward?

2. Would this lease agreement with HMA have to be completely re-written to include new tenants? If so, would this lease be constructed like the existing one? The existing contract has the lease payment, with a not to exceed number, that does not even come close to covering the lost Ad Valorem revenue on the property, for the term of the lease, which is a substantial loss to the taxpayers.

3. How would this affect the taxpayers in the event HMA defaults on this lease to Hernando County?

With the current state of the economy, this proposed buy-in at Brooksville Regional/HMA will open up many questions from the public on this lease agreement. HMA stock has slipped from over $25.00 a share to just $1.00 a share in the past year. HMA has laid off over 40 people and is currently working with a limited staff.

Apparently this proposed buy-in is moving forward because a number of confidentiality agreements have been signed by local physicians and the principals will begin to determine the net worth of this deal.

This was a hot button issue in the county when the original lease was written and I don't assume that the future deal will be any less controversial to the public in this slow economy.

Anna Liisa Covell

Her concerns

The following is a newsletter from Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite. She clearly expresses her concerns on the recent bail-out of the automobile industry by the Bush administration. Ginny needs to be commended for her staunch approach to this economy, in relationship to the taxpayers of this country.

VOLUME 6, NUMBER 41

December 23, 2008

Detroit Needs a New Business Model, Not a Taxpayer Funded Bailout

As you may know, the Detroit automobile industry – Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford – recently came before Congress to request $34 billion in loans and lines of credit. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I had the opportunity to hear first-hand from the CEOs of the three companies, as well as United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ron Gettlefinger.

No one doubts the Big Three are in trouble. Chrysler, by their own admission, will only have $2.5 billion in cash on hand by January 1, 2009, but has $11.6 billion in liabilities that need immediate payment during the first three months of 2009 alone. General Motors is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Ford, which is in the best health of the three, is worried that a failure of either Chrysler or General Motors will have severe detrimental effects to its supply chain.

While the financial crisis has exacerbated these problems, it did not create them. Lack of foresight made them vulnerable to the dramatic increase in gas prices between 2003 and 2008, and poor corporate governance led to a series of bad decisions stretching back thirty years. As a result, nearly one million American jobs may now be at risk.

Many commentators say a loss of the domestic automobile industry will have a severe impact on the economy, and I agree. However, the recent history of taxpayer funded bailouts calls into question whether a bailout of the Detroit Big Three will work. Two months ago, Congress passed a $700 billion bailout. The money spent under this program has not gone into the economy as planned, but instead is sitting in bank vaults across the country. In September, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) stepped in to bailout AIG to the tune of $85 billion. A month later, the Fed increased that to $122.4 billion. A month after that, the number grew to $152 billion.

The bailouts of the financial industry, which I have consistently opposed, have put taxpayers in debt for $8 trillion. Similar to AIG, I doubt this will be the last time the automobile industry comes before Congress to ask for money. Giving the industry $34 billion now will simply be a beginning rather than an end. The loan does not solve their long-term liquidity issues, overcapacity in the market, and poor corporate governance.

However, at the same time, millions of retirees rely on their pensions from Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford for their well-being. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, though, protects these pensions. The Big 3 auto-makers have also indicated their pension systems are currently fully funded.

I have carefully weighed the arguments for and against a bailout of the Detroit automobile industry. I have consulted with car dealers in my district, retirees, and financial experts. After much deliberation, I voted against a financial bailout for the automakers when it came before Congress on December 10, 2008. The bill, H.R. 7321 introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D – MA), would have provided $14 billion in loans to carry the automakers through the first three months of next year. However, the bill did nothing to protect the American taxpayer in case of a default, which is a very real possibility. Moreover, the bill allowed the automakers to ignore the dire problem that is facing them; merely sweeping the problem under the rug will not solve the situation.

One also cannot expect the federal government to invest in a privately owned entity such as Chrysler, which is managed by a very large New York hedge fund called Cerberus Capital. Cerberus Capital has been unwilling to invest even one extra dime in Chrysler, which begs the question: if the owners of Chrysler are unwilling to invest in it, why should the American taxpayer?

Sincere apologies

My sincere apologies go out to Bob and Mary Ann DeWitt. My earlier post about Bob's demise was absolutely incorrect and based on misinformation supplied to me by the Hernando County Planning Department. Bob is alive, and well, on his road to recovery. The previous information was provided to me through the Hernando County Planning Department was obviously well intended to notify Bob's friends, unfortunately it was not verified before it was released to the public.

Long over due

I couldn't believe my eyes when I drove down Martin Luther King Boulevard in Brooksville this morning. The construction of sidewalks along MLK Boulevard has begun and they are really an added improvement for this area. This sidewalk construction project is long over due and will provide safety for residents in this community. By the way, these sidewalks are being added on the Hernando County side of Martin Luther King Boulevard. Hopefully, the city of Brooksville will follow the county's lead, with additional improvements for these residents...

Semper Fi

Local attorney Frank Miller of Caglianone, Miller & Anthony in Brooksville deserves a great, big atta-boy! Mr. Miller is providing storage space at his office complex on Lamar Avenue for the Marine Corp League "Toys for Tots" program. I'm sure everyone remembers the problems that arose from the Marine Corp League with the Hernando County Fair Association for toy storage. My husband, who is a former Marine from the Vietnam Era, sends out a special Semper Fi for Caglianone, Miller & Anthony. Thanks for stepping up to the plate for kids and the Marines, Mr. Miller!

Shoe

It just wasn't a bizarre moment when a reporter threw his shoes at President Bush. It was a symbolic gesture to Mr. Bush from this muslin reporter. Does anyone remember the Iraqi people beating the fallen statute of Saddam Hussein with their shoes? The sole of the foot is considered to be the dirtiest part of one's body in the Islamic faith. Throwing, or beating someone, with a shoe is symbolic as the highest form of insult a person can deliver to another person in that region. The Iraqi government immediately demanded an on air apology for this incident from media outlet that employed this reporter. Time will tell if an apology will be offered by this media outlet. This "shoe" incident should not be brushed under the carpet as a bizarre moment. It was a direct insult to our President and our country...

Ginny votes No!

The following excerpt is from Congresswoman Ginny Brown Waite. This is the actual text of our congresswoman's presentation in the House just prior to the vote on the bailout for the automobile industry last night:

Brown-Waite, G. (R-FL): “I thank the Gentleman and I thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's an old saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. “And I think today we realize that the well-intentioned road may lead to bankruptcy. Not just for the automakers, but perhaps for the U.S. Treasury. Today we've heard from well-meaning Members of this House that unless we send $15 billion to the Big Three, the American economy will fail. I don't doubt their sincerity but do I disagree with their conclusions. Some of my constituents support the bailout, but most of them don't. As you can see from the picture next to me, the American citizens are hurting right now. The car in this picture is a Dodge Dynasty and by the way, this car has not been produced since 1993. So you can understand the angst of the car owner who realizes that his hard-earned tax dollars and those of his children and grandchildren are going for these bailouts. His message is very clear. Where’s my bailout? The bill before us today does nothing to address the real pain being felt by American citizens. Nothing helps to lower health care costs or protect the mortgages on their home. I’d also like to say that we had again a rush to judgment, a rush to bringing the bill to the floor and we need to be concerned about that process. Please remember that Chrysler is a privately-owned entity by a massive hedge fund firm in New York City. This hedge fund firm is not willing to invest one cent more in Chrysler. And yet we are asking our cash-strapped taxpayers back home to do it for them. Like we saw with the last bailout boondoggle, there are not enough safeguards here. We have to remember, too, that the loan and the conditions that are attached to it do not correct the structural weaknesses at these companies. It merely postpones the consequences for a short while. They’ll be back for more and more and more. This loan policy also continues the tragically flawed policy –