Voter’s Guide for 2014 General Election – Palm Beach County, Florida – A Libertarian Perspective

I am often asked for my opinion as to who would make good choices for elected office and the 2014 General Election is no different. So here is the list of those I plan to vote. The person / issue I will vote for is in BOLD, sometimes with an explanation.

U.S. Representative, Dist. 22

PAUL SPAIN – I am voting for Paul Spain. He was my #2 pick during the primaries and am comfortable with him leading District 22. I wish he was more libertarian and perhaps in two years we will have a Libertarian Party challenger for this seat.
Lois Frankel
Write-In Candidate Raymond Schamis

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Rick Scott / Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Charlie Crist / Annette Taddeo
ADRIAN WYLLIE / GREG ROE
Farid Khavari / Lateresa A. Jones
Glenn Burkett / Jose Augusto Matos
Write-In Candidates

Attorney General
Pam Bondi
George Sheldon
BILL WOHLSIFER – no matter who wins the Governor’s race, it is imperative to supporters of Amendment 2 (medical marijuana) Bill Wohslifer win to be Florida’s next Attorney General so Amendment 2 will be implemented properly and go unchallenged.

Chief Financial Officer – It is unusual for me; however, I am skipping this race (and a couple more below). I can not in good faith vote for either of these candidates. Both are bad in my opinion.
Jeff Atwater
William “Will” Rankin

Commissioner of Agriculture
Adam H. Putnam – I am not a huge fan of Putnam and am tempted to skip this race as with the CFO race; however, Putnam is the better candidate and has helped Libertarians in the state move their agenda forward.
Thaddeus “Thad” Hamilton
Write-In Candidate – Jeffrey Obos

State Senator, Dist. 34 – I am sitting out this race as well. Sachs is awful and I do not believe she lives in this district which is required by our state constitution. If allegations are proven true (it is currently being officially investigated) it could lead to her going to jail for continually lying on official qualification forms and violating the state constitution. Bogdanoff is equally awful. Her record in the Florida legislature is terrible from a Libertarian point of view and is more interested in corporate welfare than offering small or big business a truly free market in Florida. As before, perhaps a Libertarian Party of Florida candidate will challenge the winner next time around.
Ellyn Bogdanoff
Maria Lorts Sachs

State Representative, Dist. 89 – I can not in good faith vote for either of these two. UGH! Both are nice people; however, I do not want either representing me in Tallahassee. I could get into the nitty and gritty details – but will spare you.
Bill Hager
David Ryan Silvers

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge Alan O. Forst of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge Mark W. Klingensmith of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge W. Matthew Stevenson of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge Martha C. Warner of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District Group 5 – 4 Year Term
Eva S. Webb
Karl Dickey – he is the OBVIOUS choice! 🙂

No. 1
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE X, SECTION 28
Water and Land Conservation – Dedicates funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands.

Although I am an environmentalist, the state has enough land AND it continually sells off land that was SUPPOSED to be held for conservation. The government has a horrible track record and cannot be trusted to keep this land preserved.

YES
NO

No. 2
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE X, SECTION 29
Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions
Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Increased costs from this amendment to state and local governments cannot be determined. There will be additional regulatory and enforcement activities associated with the production and sale of medical marijuana. Fees will offset at least a portion of the regulatory costs. While sales tax may apply to purchases, changes in revenue cannot reasonably be determined since the extent to which medical marijuana will be exempt from taxation is unclear without legislative or state administrative action.
YES – I will be voting YES for this amendment because we must end the absurd practice of jailing patients for using this tremendous resource.
NO

No. 3
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE V, SECTIONS 10, 11
Prospective Appointment of Certain Judicial Vacancies

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution requiring the Governor to prospectively fill vacancies in a judicial office to which election for retention applies resulting from the justice’s or judge’s reaching the mandatory retirement age or failure to qualify for a retention election; and allowing prospective appointments if a justice or judge is not retained at an election. Currently, the Governor may not fill an expected vacancy until the current justice’s or judge’s term expires.
YES
NO

COUNTYWIDE – QUESTION 1
REAUTHORIZATION OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

Shall the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, which provides early learning and reading skills, development, treatment, preventative and other children’s services in Palm Beach County, be reauthorized to continue in existence as a district with voter-approved taxing authority, with independent oversight and accountability as required by law, unless and until it is dissolved as specified in s.125.901 (4)(a), Florida Statutes?
YES
NO – this $100 million+ per year taxpayer funded agency should be abolished. They do great work; however, it can be done better privately.

COUNTYWIDE – QUESTION 2
REFERENDUM TO CONTINUE AN AD VALOREM LEVY FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONAL NEEDS

Shall the School Board of Palm Beach County have the authority to continue to levy 0.25 mills of ad valorem millage dedicated for operational needs of non-charter District schools to fund teachers, as well as arts, music, physical education, career and academic programs for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2019, with oversight by an independent finance committee of citizens and experts?
YES
NO – VOTE NO to end this ‘hidden’ unnecessary tax

Voter's Guide for 2014 General Election – Palm Beach County, Florida – A Libertarian Perspective

I am often asked for my opinion as to who would make good choices for elected office and the 2014 General Election is no different. So here is the list of those I plan to vote. The person / issue I will vote for is in BOLD, sometimes with an explanation.

U.S. Representative, Dist. 22

PAUL SPAIN – I am voting for Paul Spain. He was my #2 pick during the primaries and am comfortable with him leading District 22. I wish he was more libertarian and perhaps in two years we will have a Libertarian Party challenger for this seat.
Lois Frankel
Write-In Candidate Raymond Schamis

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Rick Scott / Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Charlie Crist / Annette Taddeo
ADRIAN WYLLIE / GREG ROE
Farid Khavari / Lateresa A. Jones
Glenn Burkett / Jose Augusto Matos
Write-In Candidates

Attorney General
Pam Bondi
George Sheldon
BILL WOHLSIFER – no matter who wins the Governor’s race, it is imperative to supporters of Amendment 2 (medical marijuana) Bill Wohslifer win to be Florida’s next Attorney General so Amendment 2 will be implemented properly and go unchallenged.

Chief Financial Officer – It is unusual for me; however, I am skipping this race (and a couple more below). I can not in good faith vote for either of these candidates. Both are bad in my opinion.
Jeff Atwater
William “Will” Rankin

Commissioner of Agriculture
Adam H. Putnam – I am not a huge fan of Putnam and am tempted to skip this race as with the CFO race; however, Putnam is the better candidate and has helped Libertarians in the state move their agenda forward.
Thaddeus “Thad” Hamilton
Write-In Candidate – Jeffrey Obos

State Senator, Dist. 34 – I am sitting out this race as well. Sachs is awful and I do not believe she lives in this district which is required by our state constitution. If allegations are proven true (it is currently being officially investigated) it could lead to her going to jail for continually lying on official qualification forms and violating the state constitution. Bogdanoff is equally awful. Her record in the Florida legislature is terrible from a Libertarian point of view and is more interested in corporate welfare than offering small or big business a truly free market in Florida. As before, perhaps a Libertarian Party of Florida candidate will challenge the winner next time around.
Ellyn Bogdanoff
Maria Lorts Sachs

State Representative, Dist. 89 – I can not in good faith vote for either of these two. UGH! Both are nice people; however, I do not want either representing me in Tallahassee. I could get into the nitty and gritty details – but will spare you.
Bill Hager
David Ryan Silvers

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge Alan O. Forst of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge Mark W. Klingensmith of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge W. Matthew Stevenson of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

District Court of Appeal
Shall Judge Martha C. Warner of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
YES
NO

Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District Group 5 – 4 Year Term
Eva S. Webb
Karl Dickey – he is the OBVIOUS choice! 🙂

No. 1
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE X, SECTION 28
Water and Land Conservation – Dedicates funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands.

Although I am an environmentalist, the state has enough land AND it continually sells off land that was SUPPOSED to be held for conservation. The government has a horrible track record and cannot be trusted to keep this land preserved.

YES
NO

No. 2
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE X, SECTION 29
Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions
Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Increased costs from this amendment to state and local governments cannot be determined. There will be additional regulatory and enforcement activities associated with the production and sale of medical marijuana. Fees will offset at least a portion of the regulatory costs. While sales tax may apply to purchases, changes in revenue cannot reasonably be determined since the extent to which medical marijuana will be exempt from taxation is unclear without legislative or state administrative action.
YES – I will be voting YES for this amendment because we must end the absurd practice of jailing patients for using this tremendous resource.
NO

No. 3
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE V, SECTIONS 10, 11
Prospective Appointment of Certain Judicial Vacancies

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution requiring the Governor to prospectively fill vacancies in a judicial office to which election for retention applies resulting from the justice’s or judge’s reaching the mandatory retirement age or failure to qualify for a retention election; and allowing prospective appointments if a justice or judge is not retained at an election. Currently, the Governor may not fill an expected vacancy until the current justice’s or judge’s term expires.
YES
NO

COUNTYWIDE – QUESTION 1
REAUTHORIZATION OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

Shall the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, which provides early learning and reading skills, development, treatment, preventative and other children’s services in Palm Beach County, be reauthorized to continue in existence as a district with voter-approved taxing authority, with independent oversight and accountability as required by law, unless and until it is dissolved as specified in s.125.901 (4)(a), Florida Statutes?
YES
NO – this $100 million+ per year taxpayer funded agency should be abolished. They do great work; however, it can be done better privately.

COUNTYWIDE – QUESTION 2
REFERENDUM TO CONTINUE AN AD VALOREM LEVY FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONAL NEEDS

Shall the School Board of Palm Beach County have the authority to continue to levy 0.25 mills of ad valorem millage dedicated for operational needs of non-charter District schools to fund teachers, as well as arts, music, physical education, career and academic programs for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2019, with oversight by an independent finance committee of citizens and experts?
YES
NO – VOTE NO to end this ‘hidden’ unnecessary tax

Florida Attorney General candidate rightfully accuses elections office of "steering" to certain candidates

Yesterday, July 21, 2014, Florida Attorney General candidate Bill Wohlsifer took to his campaign website blog to publicly shame the Collier County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office. Jennifer Edwards is the Supervisor of Elections in Collier County. Recently the (SOE) held a mock election at a public Candidate Forum at the Golden Gate Community Center, which purposely excluded Wohlsifer’s name, however included the three other candidates qualified to be in the race. Wohlsifer is the only Libertarian Party of Florida candidate in the race. The other three candidates in the race are two Democrats and one Republican.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Florida Attorney General candidate rightfully accuses elections office of “steering” to certain candidates

Yesterday, July 21, 2014, Florida Attorney General candidate Bill Wohlsifer took to his campaign website blog to publicly shame the Collier County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office. Jennifer Edwards is the Supervisor of Elections in Collier County. Recently the (SOE) held a mock election at a public Candidate Forum at the Golden Gate Community Center, which purposely excluded Wohlsifer’s name, however included the three other candidates qualified to be in the race. Wohlsifer is the only Libertarian Party of Florida candidate in the race. The other three candidates in the race are two Democrats and one Republican.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

NORML fails to endorse best candidate for their cause in Florida AG race

The NORML‘s Political Action Committee (NORML) has chosen to stay out of the Florida Attorney General’s race because they have “limited bandwith” according to NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri. The “limited bandwith” statement was an email sent by Mr. Altieri yesterday, July 16, 2014 to Bill Wohlsifer, Libertarian Party of Florida candidate for Attorney General. In one of the most pivotal states and most important positions within the Florida government concerning marijuana prosecutions. , NORML has bowed out rather than do easiest and most ethical thing–endorse and/or contribute to Bill Wohlsifer who is running for the position and was NORML of Florida’s 2013 registered lobbyist.

Read the rest of the story here.

BREAKING: Judge overturns Florida's ban on gay marriage in the Florida Keys

Libertarians and members of the LGBT community are celebrating today, July 17, 2014, as Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis M. Garcia ruled the 2008 referendum to ban same sex marriage unconstitutional, as it does not offer equal protection under the law. Although libertarians feel the government should not be forcing citizens to ask its permission to marry, for so long as the government does so, it should not be discriminatory. The Monroe County government is expected to begin granting its permission for same sex couples to marry this Tuesday, July 21, 2014.

Read the rest of the story here!

BREAKING: Judge overturns Florida’s ban on gay marriage in the Florida Keys

Libertarians and members of the LGBT community are celebrating today, July 17, 2014, as Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis M. Garcia ruled the 2008 referendum to ban same sex marriage unconstitutional, as it does not offer equal protection under the law. Although libertarians feel the government should not be forcing citizens to ask its permission to marry, for so long as the government does so, it should not be discriminatory. The Monroe County government is expected to begin granting its permission for same sex couples to marry this Tuesday, July 21, 2014.

Read the rest of the story here!

Pam Bondi's Attorney General office works against Second Amendment court ruling

The Florida Attorney General’s (AG) office is attempting to scuttle the appeal in the case of Norman v. State. The Norman case is the only viable case in the country arguing for recognition of the constitutional right to open carry firearms in the State of Florida. Today, June 19, 2014, Florida Carry is urging its membership and those in favor of preserving gun rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution to contact Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to end the state’s prosecution of Floridians exercising their rights.

The issue could bring voters away from Bondi and to pro-gun rights candidate, Bill Wohlsifer. Wohlsifer states on his campaign website, “While recognizing the evolution and mandate of present law, Bill is of the opinion that concealed carry law in Florida, particularly sections 790.06, 790.25 and 790.053, Florida Statutes, is vague and ambiguous. It defies logic that the mere brief or accidental exposure of an otherwise lawful carry subjects a peaceful armed citizen to arrest.”

Read the rest of the story.

Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney Angela Corey. Photo Credit http://www.nationalreview.com

Pam Bondi’s Attorney General office works against Second Amendment court ruling

The Florida Attorney General’s (AG) office is attempting to scuttle the appeal in the case of Norman v. State. The Norman case is the only viable case in the country arguing for recognition of the constitutional right to open carry firearms in the State of Florida. Today, June 19, 2014, Florida Carry is urging its membership and those in favor of preserving gun rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution to contact Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to end the state’s prosecution of Floridians exercising their rights.

The issue could bring voters away from Bondi and to pro-gun rights candidate, Bill Wohlsifer. Wohlsifer states on his campaign website, “While recognizing the evolution and mandate of present law, Bill is of the opinion that concealed carry law in Florida, particularly sections 790.06, 790.25 and 790.053, Florida Statutes, is vague and ambiguous. It defies logic that the mere brief or accidental exposure of an otherwise lawful carry subjects a peaceful armed citizen to arrest.”

Read the rest of the story.

Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney Angela Corey. Photo Credit http://www.nationalreview.com

New polling out today on Florida Governor, Attorney General races

A new poll out this morning, May 3, 2014, by Gravis Marketing and Human Events showed the Florida Gubernatorial race was very close between two of the candidates and the third has some catching up to do. It also showed in the Florida Attorney General race, the Republican has the lead, the Democrats would come in second and the Libertarian would come in third. The poll also revealed that Florida voters would favor the medical marijuana initiative to be on the ballot this November.

Read the rest of the story here.

Florida cannabis bill heads to Florida Senate Judiciary Committee this morning

Today, April 21, 2014, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 843 at 10:45 a.m. and will likely move along soon for a vote in the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives. SB 843 is the most restrictive of the cannabis bills floating around Tallahassee this 2014 legislative session and would offer relief to an estimated 400 patients in Florida.

Read the rest of the story here.

20 percent of Floridians want Wohlsifer or are unsure of Bondi or Sheldon

In a poll released yesterday, April 8, 2014, by Voter Service Survey commissioned by Sunshine State News found that 20% of Floridians are unsure if they want to vote for Attorney General candidates Pam Bondi or George Sheldon, and some are pledging their votes to another candidate, apparently Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer.

Read the rest of the story here.