Judges Gone Wild!

Posted 09/02/2010
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By Robert F. Sanchez, JMI Policy Director
“Let the people vote!” That was the media’s hue and cry when the Legislature rebuffed Governor Crist’s plea to pass a constitutional amendment barring oil drilling in Florida waters. As House Speaker Larry Cretul noted, calling an emergency special session was unnecessary. Florida law already bans offshore drilling, and …

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“Reading the Tea Leaves”

Posted 08/25/2010
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By J. Robert McClure III, PhD., JMI President & CEO
We have heard much about the Tea Party movement since its inception. Many credit Rick Santelli’s rant against bailouts, government spending and self-dealing politicians on CNBC from the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade as the spark for this influential movement. Since its inception, however, …

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Of Primary Interest

Posted 08/24/2010
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By Thomas Perrin, JMI Public Affairs Director
Today is the big day for candidates who have been scrapping it out in their respective primary races. There are still a lot of unknowns, but let’s look at some of the facts we do know:
-During this election cycle, voter registration has shifted slightly towards independents, who grew by …

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An Economics Encounter

Posted 08/23/2010

By Rachel Procaccini, JMI Volunteer & Chiles High School Senior
This past month I was invited to attend the Friedman Economics Luncheon for rising high school seniors hosted by the James Madison Institute. Given my interest in political functioning, I found the subject of economics very intriguing.
Florida State University Professor Dr. James Gwartney was interviewed and …

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Government Gambling with Voter Intent

Posted 08/18/2010
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By Robert F. Sanchez, JMI Policy Director
Voters can be forgiven if they think they’re getting mixed signals about the importance of going to the polls. Examples:
In Missouri earlier this month, 71 percent of the voters approved Proposition C, which would prohibit the government from enforcing any requirement that everyone purchase health insurance. The voters’ verdict …

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Green Energy Myths

Posted 08/12/2010
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By Dr. J. Robert McClure III, JMI President & CEO
Last month, Governor Crist called for a special session for the expressed purpose of putting an amendment on the November 2010 ballot to enshrine into our Constitution a ban on drilling in Florida waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s be clear: there is already a …

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Founding Fathers Fever . . . Again!

Posted 08/11/2010
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By Bill Mattox, JMI Resident Fellow
Everywhere you turn these days, Americans appear to be taking a renewed interest in the founding of our country and in the guiding principles included in the U.S. Constitution.  From new civics classes to grass-roots tea parties to TV shows about Constitutional principles, Founding Fathers Fever is definitely sweeping America.
Interestingly, …

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Laid Off? Join the Fun-Employed

Posted 08/10/2010
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 By Francisco Gonzalez, JMI Development Director
With an ailing economy, more and more people are out of work. Some are part of the 11 percent of Floridians looking for work. But many others don’t even factor into the unemployment numbers because they’ve simply stop looking for work. Maybe they aren’t unemployed. Maybe they are fun-employed.
This is …

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Gushing Jargon and Red Tape

Posted 08/09/2010
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By Ryan Gorham, State Policy Network Leadership Development Intern and former JMI Intern
Hundreds have been flocking to Panhandle beaches for photo-ops and a good wagging of their finger. Not the tourism Florida was looking for, but this is the sight that has graced our beaches recently.  As politicians and bureaucrats have postured and focused on …

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Shades of Greece or Japan?

Posted 08/05/2010
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By DJ Menz, JMI Intern and Florida State University Graduate in International Affairs with Economics Concentration
Much recent debate centers on our rising federal deficits. Fiscal conservatives urge austerity and point to Greece as the poster child for the disastrous effects of irresponsible government spending and unsustainable entitlements.
Meanwhile, political liberals echo Keynesian theories, suggesting that what we …

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  • Florida Transparency Summit
    Tampa (Aug 28)
  • American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Meeting
    San Diego, CA (Aug 6)
  • Friedman Day Celebration
    Tallahassee (Jul 30)
  • 4th Biennial Old-Fashioned Political Jamboree
    Delray Beach (Jul 17)
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