Politics powered by corporations, not just Disney
Scott Maxwell points out in his Sunday column (“Disney backs Uthmeier — and anyone else who can do Disney favors”) that Disney is making donations to political candidates who support Disney interests. Why is that surprising? This is what all corporations do, including medical centers and teachers unions. What is sad is that money influences politics so much. It occurs on both sides of the aisle and by all politicians who then preferentially serve those who make the large contributions. Until politicians (or the system) change, it will be necessary for Disney to continue these donations.
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— Alan Price, Winter Park
Donalds’ ‘hurricane tax’ accusation rings hollow
I believe the political ads accusing David Jolly of imposing a “$1,000 hurricane tax” on Florida families are misleading at best and a lie at worst.
Jolly said he has not proposed a $1,000 annual tax on Florida families. The $1,000 figure cited by those ads comes from an analysis of a different insurance proposal, not Jolly’s actual plan. The FSU study cited in the advertising examined a proposal to make all homeowners eligible for Citizens wind coverage — not Jolly’s proposal. Yet the advertisements present that number as though it is a cost Jolly has specifically proposed.
There is certainly a legitimate debate about how Florida should fund catastrophic hurricane losses and address our property-insurance crisis. Voters deserve to understand the costs and consequences of competing proposals. But that debate should be based on what the candidates actually propose.
If Donalds or his supporters believe Jolly’s plan would cost the average Florida family $1,000 a year, they should provide evidence that directly analyzes Jolly’s proposal and explains how that figure was calculated.
Political advertising is supposed to persuade voters, but that does not give campaigns or political action committees a license to misrepresent an opponent’s position.
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Florida voters deserve an honest debate. Calling something a “$1,000 hurricane tax” when Jolly says he has proposed no such tax is not an honest representation of his plan.
— Jeff Dolan, St. Cloud
Data centers benefit only corporations
Kam Shenai posed three excellent questions in his Friday guest commentary (“Who really pays for the AI boom?”) that voters should ask about all legislation: What are the benefits, costs, and risks of proposed legislation? Shenai summarized his commentary with something every voter should know: “America shouldn’t privatize the gains and socialize the risks.” Viewed through this voter’s lens, massive AI centers will temporarily benefit construction, investors, technology companies and power companies who are reaping profits while society bears the risks. This is not capitalism, but it is corporate socialism without regard to collateral harm to society.
When has a legislator or corporate promise of safeguards prevented higher costs for voters?
— Jim Armstrong, Winter Springs
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