Guest Author, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 18, 2013

Thirty-five years ago, I found myself, notebook in hand, sitting across a large desk from a man named Jim Crosby as he told me how his company, Resorts International, was going to revive Atlantic City. Back then, Atlantic City was a faded, sad, down-at-the-heels coastal town with nothing but the blue sea to attract visitors […]

Guest AuthorNovember 18, 2013

Natural disasters strike often. We Floridians understand this fact of life. Our schools periodically conduct hurricane drills, radio stations test emergency broadcast systems, and our meteorologists frequently use the words “tropical storm” or “hurricane.” Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado or flood, like we have in Florida, or whether it’s a blizzard, earthquake or wildfire, natural […]

Guest AuthorNovember 17, 2013

Some years from now, perhaps sooner, perhaps later, the Affordable Care Act will be a universally accepted part of our health-care system, and decent, affordable medical insurance for all citizens living in the richest country in the world will be woven into the American fabric. Most certainly, the law will not be the same as […]

Guest AuthorNovember 17, 2013

If there is one thing to be learned from the growing debacle that is Obamacare, it is that experience and competence matter, especially in large-scale endeavors. It does seem, especially in politics and elections, that these intrinsic elements, competence and experience, have lately been left by the wayside. The reactions of this current administration to […]

Guest AuthorNovember 17, 2013

We’re heading into the time of year when payday lenders see the highest volume of business. That’s not a good thing for Floridians. Payday loans are infamous for creating a spiral of debt among people in already difficult financial situations. BMG Money has an alternative option for people in a pinch — one that has […]

Guest AuthorNovember 14, 2013

One of the great wonders in the study of history is how things so remote can still hold valuable lessons for us today. Such is the case with the presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy, whose brief but energizing administration came to a shocking and tragic end 50 years ago this month. To the […]

Guest AuthorNovember 14, 2013

We are a little more than 11 months away from mid-term elections, but the presidential sweepstakes continue to heat up. Hillary Clinton seems to have the inside track for the Democratic nomination while Gov. Chris Christie seems to be gaining attention after his big reelection win in New Jersey on a pretty poor night for […]

Guest AuthorNovember 14, 2013

The recent city elections in Lakeland appear to demonstrate the principle that if people are embarrassed or disgusted about something in their community, the guy at the top will get the ax, even if he’s not to blame. In the wake of an appalling string of scandals at the Lakeland Police Department this year – […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2013

Somebody needs to grab Sen. Lindsey Graham by the scruff of the neck and give him a shake or two. In the ideal, it would be one of his Republican colleagues but that’s not likely, given the party’s weapon of choice — extortion. Last month the party nearly shut down the government and pushed the […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2013

The Florida Legislature is looking at rewriting our laws regulating gambling. The Florida Senate Gaming Committee is holding hearings around the state gathering public input. Some feel that the lawmakers will be enticed to open the door for Las Vegas-style casinos to come into the state. For decades, Florida had only three legal forms of […]

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Aleksandar Vucic Image via AP

Steve Robinson: Are we a nation of croupiers and cocktail waitresses?

Dennis Ross: Encourage property owners to better prepare for disasters

Steve Robinson: Obamacare will survive, but bungled rollout will take toll

Ed Moore: We must start to elect statesmen rather than salesmen

Karen Cyphers: LoansAtWork program a socially responsible alternative to payday lenders

George L. Hanbury II: JFK’s dynamic skills hold a good example for today’s leaders

Jamie Miller: Is there a ‘reasonable Republican’ to win in 2016?

Cary McMullen: Reflections on Lakeland’s mayoral election

Doug Clifton: Lindsey Graham needs to stop playing the crazy card

Rick Outzen: I hear a singing pig if legislators pass new gambling laws