So, the title of this blog would make you believe that this is
a political blog. It is. But, voting with my feet has been a
life altering process; one that is teaching me an awful lot about myself and
even more about my family and friends.
As a result, this blog will reveal some personal, as well as political
reflections. After all, voting is
a very personal choice.
I hope that you will comment on my posts. I also hope that we can all avoid name calling and negativity. There is just too much nastiness in politics. I hope to learn from your views. I can't learn if you don't share them.
I hope that you will comment on my posts. I also hope that we can all avoid name calling and negativity. There is just too much nastiness in politics. I hope to learn from your views. I can't learn if you don't share them.
I’ll get to a political reflection first. As you read this, understand that my
overall philosophy is that government should leave me alone and refrain from
forcing me to pay for other people’s mistakes.
I really could not stomach spending any more of my life in
the State of New York because of the immense waste created by government inefficiencies. There are 690+ school
districts in New York while there are only 67 (that’s right – SIXTY-SEVEN) in
the entire state of Florida. The immense
size of NY government - the Triborough
Amendment, Wick’s law, property taxes and the associated “cap,” trans fats bans, property taxes, proposed
super size soft drink bans, salt shaker bans, the abysmal condition of state
and local Republican Committees, property taxes, the appalling apathy of many
public employees, property taxes, and the exceedingly liberal ideology of the
overwhelming majority of residents - are just a few of the reasons I voted with
my feet. New York is a Nanny
State. Oh, did I mention property
taxes?
We moved to Florida at the end of July. The kids started in their new school on
August 8th. While
Florida certainly is not perfect, my research and experiences in the State
convince me that it is a hell of a lot better than NY! When ranking states by Fiscal Policy, New
York is 50th while Florida is ranked 15th. For Regulatory Policy Rankings, New
York is 40th, Florida is 21st. For Economic Freedom Rankings, New York is 50th,
Florida is 14th. For
overall Personal Freedom Rankings, New York is 48th, Florida is 14th. These facts are all according to the
Mercatus Center.
It is not our lot in life to live in NY. We have choices. While the decision-making process has
been excruciatingly difficult at times, we have decided that we want our
children raised in an environment that encourages personal accountability,
rather than reliance on government.
We believe that Florida offers more opportunity in this regard.
Stay tuned for more on those darned property taxes and a bit
on the size of government, as well!
