Byrnes & Neeld Revisited

Actually they visited and we are revisiting them on our blog. On January 26 both of these potential candidates for Congress in our 14th congressional district were at Shell Point to air their views to our Club members. Maybe we are naive but some of us were amazed at the difference between their in-person presentations and the written presentations which both men had published on their web sites. Whereas their web sites were relatively flat and uninspiring, they both gave talks that were outstanding attention-getters.

Larry Byrnes began with what is now a familiar mantra: change. He obviously advocates it and proposes that he be the catalyst to activate it so that our district represents the views of all the people and not just the special interests represented by Connie Mack IV. He enumerated Florida's ranking among other states in a variety of important issues like education and health care and Florida is at or near the bottom in a majority of them. Health care for poor children is at the top of his priorities as are a comprehensive health plan for all and lower drug prices. The proper rule of law has been usurped by the Bush administration and the quality of life in our country is disintegrating. He would approve an immediate end to the war in Iraq and apply the principles of the Hamilton-Baker Plan to stabilize the country. A solid "green" economy is the only way that we can save the planet and we must push industry to adopt it as quickly as it can. He also would advocate tax cuts for the working poor and middle class and not for the Bush preferred group: the rich.

Robert Neeld then spoke and presented some provocative ideas. First, he claims that the media is electing our president by its coverage of the early primaries which do not represent a balanced cross section of the U.S. Instead he proposes that the country be divided into four sections, each of which would take turns on a revolving four year basis for holding primary elections. That method would avoid a distorted picture being presented to the remainder of the country as occurs now when small, sparsely populated states like Iowa and New Hampshire hold their primaries in the media spotlight. He would also end the war in Iraq immediately. The deficit being accrued from continuing this war is killing not only our sons and daughters but also all of us economically. The estate tax should not be eliminated but a two million dollar tax-free allowance should be adopted after which a tax would be levied. By far the most provocative proposal involved univeral health coverage as an outgrowth of the present Medicare plan. Under such a plan eligibility for Medicare would be lowered in steps at the same time that eligibility would begin with birth and be raised in steps. A fuller discussion of this plan has been prepared by our Club member, Jack Dreyer, and it appears in the health care blog conducted by another Club member, Dr. Richard Curtin. To read his blog go to http://rrchealth.blogspot.com/

The primary election in which both these candidates will participate is not until August 26, so they both have plenty of time to put their views and proposals to prospective voters on their web sites with the same style and elan they showed in talking to our Club members.