Marco Rubio's Money Tree. By Geniusofdespair

This represents all the money that Stop-O Marco Rubio has collected through the end of the year according to the Federal Election Commission. I previously looked at some of his individual donations in October. He had over $3 million, as of last year, of individual donations. (hit on all images to enlarge them)


All of you who worship Norman Braman, should know he and his wife gave $10,000 to the Club for Growth. (I included Braman's Federal campaign donations at the very end, e.g. DeMint, Coleman and Rubio...ick!)


Here are other Committees that gave to Rubio I left out a whole pile of The Senate Conservative Fund which is an affiliate of James W. DeMint (R-SC). They are giving to two candidates, DeMint and Rubio. The Republican National Coalition for Life PAC only gave to 3 candidates in 2010: Rubio, Michelle Bachmann and Steven King. Prosperity PAC is an affiliate of Paul Ryan (R-Wis) and they gave to 3 candidates: Rubio, Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Pat Toomey(R-PA). The Huck PAC is Mike Huckabee's and they only gave to one Senate Candidate: Rubio. The Gin-Pac is an affiliate of Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and only gave to Rubio and Blunt in the Senate race.


Press read more to see donors to Prosperity PAC, Rid U.S., Senate Conservative Fund (where these PAC's get their money):

(2010) Propserity PAC Corporate Donors:
1 Blue Cross/Blue Shield $7,500
2 KKR & Co $7,000 $7,000
3 American Institute of CPAs $5,000
3 AT&T Inc $5,000
3 Automotive Free International Trade PAC $5,000
3 Federal Express Corp $5,000
3 General Electric $5,000
3 Home Depot $5,000
3 Indep Insurance Agents & Brokers/America $5,000
3 Investment Co Institute $5,000
3 Koch Industries $5,000
3 KPMG LLP $5,000
3 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance $5,000
3 National Assn of Home Builders $5,000
3 National Beer Wholesalers Assn $5,000
3 National Electrical Contractors Assn $5,000
3 New York Life Insurance $5,000
3 Northwestern Mutual Life $5,000
3 PricewaterhouseCoopers $5,000
3 UBS Americas $5,000
3 United Parcel Service $5,000

(2010) Prosperity Pac Individual Donors:
KIES, KENNETH J MR
MCLEAN, VA 22101 11/06/09 $2,500
BURNS, ELISE A
ARLINGTON, VA 22207 HEALTH DIALOG/GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 09/28/09 $2,000
LIPSCHULTZ, MARC S
NEW YORK, NY 10019 KOHLBERG, KRAVIS, ROBERTS & CO/EXEC 08/17/09 $2,000
MEHLMAN, KENNETH B
WASHINGTON, DC 20007 KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO/GLOBAL 07/24/09 $2,000
GRASSO, STEVEN
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 STUART FRANKEL & CO./DIRECTOR 03/23/09 $1,500
SIPPRELLE, SCOTT M
PRINCETON, NJ 08540 SELF EMPLOYED/INVESTOR 08/31/09 $1,500
SMIDT, JONATHAN
NEW YORK, NY 10012 KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO/INVEST 07/24/09 $1,000
STEEL, ROBERT K
GREENWICH, CT 06830 ASPEN INSTITUTE/CHAIRMAN OF THE BOA 07/24/09 $1,000
UGER, THOMAS C
NEW YORK, NY 10012 KOHLBERG, KRAVIS, ROBERTS & CO/EXEC 08/03/09 $1,000
WEEMS, KERRY N
FAIRFAX, VA 22032 11/06/09 $1,000
EISENBERG, LEWIS M
NEW YORK, NY 10022 GRANITE CAPITAL GROUP/PARTNER 07/24/09 $1,000
ROBERTS, GEORGE R
SAN MATEO, CA 94403 KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO/INVEST 07/24/09 $1,000
GERSON, MARK
SUMMIT, NJ 07901 GERSON LEHRMAN GROUP/EXECUTIVE CHAI 07/24/09 $1,000
KAPLAN, THOMAS
NEW YORK, NY 10011 TIGRIS FINANCIAL GROUP/INVESTOR 07/24/09 $1,000
KO, STEPHEN
NEW YORK, NY 10003 KOHLBERG, KRAVIS, ROBERTS & CO/INVE 08/03/09 $1,000
GARVIN, TRAVERS
WASHINGTON, DC 20003 KOHLBERG, KRAVIS, ROBERTS & CO/GLOB 09/11/09 $500
KUTLER, EDWARD
COLUMBIA, MD 21045 CLARK & WEINSTOCK/PARTNER 03/27/09 $500
HANFORD, TIMOTHY L MR
BETHESDA, MD 20817 ADC STRATEGIES/CONSULTANT 10/23/09 $500
SORKIN, DAVID
NEW YORK, NY 10024 KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO/GENERA 07/24/09 $500
ELLIS, PEGGY JEAN MS
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22305

(2006) Prosperity Pac Corporate Donors:
1 Credit Suisse Securities $20,500
2 Ernst & Young $15,581
3 Corsair Capital $15,000
4 AT&T Inc $14,000
5 Securities Industry & Financial Mkt Assn $12,000
6 Case New Holland $10,000
6 Credit Union National Assn $10,000
6 DaimlerChrysler $10,000 $0 $10,000
6 Northwestern Mutual Life $10,000
6 Qwest Communications $10,000
11 Clark Consulting $7,552
12 American Institute of CPAs $7,500
12 General Electric $7,500
14 Assurant Inc $7,000 $0 $7,000
14 Natl Assn Real Estate Investment Trusts $7,000
16 Club for Growth $6,000
16 General Motors $6,000
18 Barbour, Griffith & Rogers $5,329
19 America's Health Insurance Plans $5,000
19 American Staffing Assn $5,000
19 Carpenters & Joiners Union $5,000
19 DaVita Inc $5,000 $2,500 $2,500
19 Every Republican is Crucial PAC $5,000
19 Gerson Lehrman Group $5,000
19 Home Depot $5,000
19 ING Funds Distributor $5,000
19 Investment Co Institute $5,000
19 JW Childs Assoc $5,000 $5,000
19 Keep Our Majority PAC $5,000
19 Koch Industries $5,000 $5,000
19 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance $5,000
19 MBI Inc $5,000 $5,000
19 Medco Health Solutions $5,000
19 Mortgage Bankers Assn $5,000
19 National Franchisee Assn $5,000
19 Northern Trust Global Investments $5,000
19 OSI Restaurant Partners $5,000
19 Peter Island Resort $5,000
19 Prudential Financial $5,000
19 Regent Books $5,000 $5,000
19 Sears Holdings Corp $5,000
19 Sutton Capital Assoc $5,000 $5,000
19 Wausau-Mosinee Paper $5,000 $5,000
19 Wellpoint Inc $5,000 $0 $5,000
19 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America $5,000

Rid U.S. Pac Top Individual Donors:

WHISENHUNT, CONNIE
CONWAY, AR 72034 NONE/HOMEMAKER 12/23/09 $5,000
WHISENHUNT, JOE
CONWAY, AR 72034 WHISENHUNT INVESTMENTS/EXECUTIVE 12/23/09 $5,000
WILLDEN, DAVID
LAS VEGAS, NV 89117 WILLDEN PRIDE DODGE/AUTO DEALER 05/14/09 $2,000
SPENCE, CORINNE
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95062 09/14/09 $2,000
SPRAGUE, R
NEW CANAAN, CT 06840 08/26/09 $2,000
KATZ, CURTIS
GREAT NECK, NY 11021 10/27/09 $1,800
CAVENEY, JACK
TINLEY PARK, IL 60477 PANDUIT CORP/DIR OF TECHNOLOGY 11/25/09 $1,000
BEASLEY, BETTY
INCLINE VILLAGE, NV 89450 07/02/09 $1,000
BLAKE, NORMAN
CARMEL, IN 46032 08/20/09 $1,000
BLAKE, NORMAN
CARMEL, IN 46032 08/21/09 $1,000
ROBINSON, RON
LAS VEGAS, NV 89120 SELF EMPLOYED/REAL ESTATE 06/16/09 $1,000
COBB, RHODA
BOCA RATON, FL 33432 NONE/RETIRED 04/22/09 $1,000
GAY, WW
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32204 SELF EMPLOYED/CONTRACTOR 04/22/09 $1,000
HALEY, EVETTS
MIDLAND, TX 79702 NONE/RETIRED 06/18/09 $1,000

Senate Conservatives Fund Corporate Contributors (2010):

1 American Bankers Assn $5,000 $0 $5,000
1 Ariel Corp $5,000 $5,000 $0
1 AT&T Inc $5,000 $0 $5,000
1 Credit Union National Assn $5,000 $0 $5,000
1 Federal Express Corp $5,000 $0 $5,000
1 Hawthorne Ranch $5,000 $5,000 $0
1 Koch Industries $5,000 $0 $5,000
1 Legacy Capital Group $5,000 $5,000 $0
1 Milliken Co $5,000 $5,000 $0
1 Union Pacific Corp $5,000 $0 $5,000
11 Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn $3,000 $0 $3,000
11 CSX Corp $3,000 $0 $3,000
11 Investment Co Institute $3,000 $0 $3,000
14 American Optometric Assn $2,500 $0 $2,500
14 Indep Insurance Agents & Brokers/America $2,500 $0 $2,500
14 National Assn of Health Underwriters $2,500 $0 $2,500
14 Wells Fargo $2,500 $2,500 $0
18 American Assn of Clinical Urologists $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 American Dental Assn $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 American Institute of CPAs $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 Dickstein Shapiro LLP $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 Eagle Forum $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 Experian Information Solutions $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 HSBC North America $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 KPMG LLP $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 National Assn of Convenience Stores $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 National Community Pharmacists Assn $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 Nelson, Mullins et al $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 Panduit Corp $2,000 $2,000 $0
18 Pfizer Inc $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 PricewaterhouseCoopers $2,000 $0 $2,000
18 RJ Reynolds Tobacco $2,000 $0 $2,000

Individual Donors Senate Conservative Fund:

MILLIKEN, ROGER
SPARTANBURG, SC 29304 MILLIKEN & CO./CHAIRMAN 05/28/09 $5,000
WEISS, MARY BETH
HINSDALE, IL 60521 HAWTHORNE RANCH/RANCH MANAGER 09/22/09 $5,000
WILLIAMS, EDGAR
CLEARWATER, FL 33760 LEGACY CAPITAL GROUP/INVESTOR 11/02/09 $5,000
ROGERS, NORMAN
MIAMI, FL 33133 NONE/RETIRED 09/25/09 $3,000
WRIGHT, KAREN
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050 ARIEL CORPORATION/EXECUTIVE 09/11/09 $2,500
WEISS, RICHARD
HINSDALE, IL 60521 WELLS FARGO/INVESTMENT MANAGER 06/29/09 $2,000
ROGERS, NORMAN
MIAMI, FL 33133 NONE/RETIRED 07/08/09 $2,000
CAVENEY, JACK E MR
NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33408 RETIRED/RETIRED 09/21/09 $2,000
CARNALL, MERRY
DALLAS, TX 75205 SELF/HOMEMAKER 08/06/09 $1,500
RICHARDSON, LUSFORD
NORWALK, CT 06850 SELF/DIRECTOR 04/07/09 $1,400
KLEINER, WALTER MR
CLYDE HILL, WA 98004 RETIRED 05/18/09 $1,250
KORTH, TODD
SPRING, TX 77382 SELF/HEALTHCARE 07/03/09 $1,100
HILLERSON, ARLENE
POTOMAC, MD 20854 SELF/MARKETING 06/29/09 $1,000
DAVIS, MARJORIE MRS
AUGUSTA, ME 04330 RETIRED/RETIRED 07/16/09 $1,000
BOBBITT, KATHRYN
PARKERSBURG, WV 26104 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 07/22/09 $1,000
STAFFORD, DOUG
FAIRFAX, VA 22033 NRTW/VP 07/22/09 $1,000
VASAPOLI, JOSEPH
ARLINGTON, VA 22207 RYAN PHILLIPS UTRECHT/ATTORNEY 08/14/09 $1,000
BRYAN, JOHN D MR
LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97035 RETIRED/RETIRED 05/22/09 $1,000
HAYDEN, JERRY MR
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 RETIRED/RETIRED 05/01/09 $1,000
CORNELL, DELOR
WOODBURY, NJ 08096 CORNELL & CO/STEEL CONSTRUCTION 06/08/09 $1,000
WRIGHT, KAREN A MS
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050 ARIEL CORP./PRESIDENT 05/26/09 $1,000
GLENNON, ROBERT
WASHINGTON, DC 20037 MAYER BROWN LLP/CONSULTING 06/10/09 $1,000
NESBITT, QUENTIN MR
CINCINNATI, OH 45242 RETIRED/RETIRED 04/07/09 $1,000
MURPHY, FRANICIS P MR
PEARLAND, TX 77581 OP MURPHY PRO.CO INC/CONSULTANT 03/27/09 $1,000
HILLMAN, TATNALL LEA CAPT
ASPEN, CO 81611 RETIRED 04/08/09 $1,000
WOODHOUSE, JOHN
HOUSTON, TX 77079 RETIRED/RETIRED 04/08/09 $1,000
BANDI, ELSA
GLENVIEW, IL 60025 RETIRED 04/13/09 $1,000
ODEN, RAY MR JR
SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 RETIRED/RETIRED 03/12/09 $1,000
HAYDEN, JERRY
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 RETIRED/RETIRED 03/12/09 $1,000
HILLMAN, TATNALL LEA CAPT
ASPEN, CO 81611 RETIRED 03/12/09 $1,000
LANIER, J II
LANETT, AL 36863 RETIRED 03/16/09 $1,000
WRIGHT, KAREN A MS
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050 ARIEL CORP./PRESIDENT 04/15/09 $1,000
WRIGHT, KAREN A MS
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050 ARIEL CORP./PRESIDENT 02/17/09 $1,000
CALVANESE, DENNIS
NAPLES, FL 34108 RETIRED/RETIRED 02/18/09 $1,000
GRIFFITH, RICHARD MR
LAFAYETTE, LA 70509 SELF/INVESTOR 02/24/09 $1,000
COOPER, BENJAMIN Y
FALLS CHURCH, VA 22044 GATF/EXECUTIVE 09/23/09 $1,000
CALVANESE, DENNIS MR
NAPLES, FL 34108 RETIRED/RETIRED 09/28/09 $1,000
MITCHELL, CLETA D
WASHINGTON, DC 20016 FOLEY & LARDNER/ATTORNEY 10/20/09 $1,000
REDMAN, ERIC
RATHDRUM, ID 83858 REDMAN & COMPANY INSURANCE/INSURANC 10/30/09 $1,000
JENKS, MARGARET
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63144 RETIRED 03/17/09 $750
HOBBS, NANCY E MRS
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87123 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 07/13/09 $600
COLE, CHARIS P MRS
BRYN ATHYN, PA 19009 RETIRED/RETIRED 10/26/09 $520
ALLEN, KEVIN
HERNDON, VA 20171 RICHARD NORMAN COMPANY/VICE PRESIDE 10/20/09 $500
STADLER, JAMES R MRS
NASHVILLE, TN 37205 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 10/19/09 $500
COWLES, RYAN
NEW YORK, NY 10001 WARBURG PINCUS LLC/PRIVATE EQUITY 10/06/09 $500
GUMPERTZ, DONALD
TOLUCA LAKE, CA 91610 RETIRED/RETIRED 09/20/09 $500
COLE, CHARIS P MRS
BRYN ATHYN, PA 19009 RETIRED/RETIRED 09/21/09 $500
POWELL, PETER MR
HOUSTON, TX 77027 RETIRED/RETIRED 07/14/09 $500
SWAIM, WILLIAM MR
TUCSON, AZ 85742 RETIRED/RETIRED 07/15/09 $500
RAVEGLIA, RAYMOND MR
CANONSBURG, PA 15317 RETIRED/RETIRED 07/13/09 $500
FITZHUGH, GRAYSON
LOVELAND, OH 45140 MT. NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL/COACH 07/13/09 $500
MORLEY, WILLIAM
WASHINGTON, DC 20003 ALTRIUS GROUP LLC/CONSULTANT 07/08/09 $500
KHOWAYLO, ALEX MR
UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ 07458 RETIRED/RETIRED 07/03/09 $500
BROWN, RAYFORD
TEMPLE, TX 76504 SELF/CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR 08/27/09 $500
FEASTER, JAY
BRANDON, FL 33511 SELF/ATTORNEY 08/28/09 $500
LAKE, CHRISTINE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84108 SELF/CPA 09/14/09 $500
CARR, JULIE HERSHEY
ARLINGTON, VA 22205 KOUNTOUPES CONSULTING/CONSULTING 07/16/09 $500
FROSCHER, CLARENCE T MR
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL 32034 RETIRED/RETIRED 07/27/09 $500
BURDETTE, WILLIAM C MR
STUART, FL 34995 SUNCOAST SUPPLY/MANAGER 07/29/09 $500
GRISSOM, JANET M
WASHINGTON, DC 20016 PECK MADIGAN JONES & STEWART/CONSUL 06/10/09 $500
MADIGAN, PETER T
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302 PECK MADIGAN JONES & STEWART/PARTNE 06/10/09 $500
LOCKE, W TIMOTHY
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22307 THE SMITH GROUP/VICE PRESIDENT 06/10/09 $500
WAY, STEPHEN
HOUSTON, TX 77024 06/11/09 $500
ALLISON, DONALD MR
BUELLTON, CA 93427 RETIRED/SYSTEMS ENGINEER 06/16/09 $500
RAINONE, TERESA
SETAUKET, NY 11733 MMH/PHYSICIAN 06/22/09 $500
O''NEIL, LARRY MR
NEW KENSINGTON, PA 15068 RETIRED 06/23/09 $500
CANTOR, ANDREW
WASHINGTON, DC 20036 PECK MADIGAN JONES & STEWART/CONSUL 06/10/09 $500
GRISWOLD, LINCOLN T DR
LANSDALE, PA 19446 SPECIAL CARE INC/CHAIRMAN 06/01/09 $500
HAYDEN, LOVELL III
MONROE, LA 71207 SELF/ATTORNEY 02/23/09 $500
CLEVELAND, IRA MR BAKERSFIELD, CA 93309 RETIRED

Braman and Wife:
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL BRAMAN AUTO DEALER/CAR SALES 11/18/09 $10,000 Republican Party of Miami Dade County (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 12/1/09 $5,000 Club for Growth
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 NONE/HOMEMAKER 3/15/07 $5,000 New Jersey First (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 NONE/HOMEMAKER 9/16/08 $5,000 New Jersey First (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 11/25/09 $2,400 DeMint, James W (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 11/25/09 $2,400 DeMint, James W (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 NONE/HOMEMAKER 4/17/09 $2,400 Wyden, Ron (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33133 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 10/15/07 $2,300 Coleman, Norm (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 4/28/08 $2,300 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 5/1/08 $2,300 Diaz-Balart, Mario (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 5/1/08 $2,300 Diaz-Balart, Mario (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 NONE/HOMEMAKER 3/15/07 $2,300 Lautenberg, Frank R (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 NONE/HOMEMAKER 3/15/07 $2,300 Lautenberg, Frank R (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 N/A/HOMEMAKER 10/16/08 $2,300 Feeney, Tom (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER 4/24/07 $2,300 Schultz, Debbie Wasserman (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER 4/24/07 $2,300 Schultz, Debbie Wasserman (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 BRAMAN MOTORS/OWNER 12/13/07 $1,150 Mahoney, Tim (D)
BRAMAN, IRMA
MIAMI,FL 33137 N/A/HOMEMAKER 2/25/08 $1,000 Republican Party of Florida (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
MIAMI,FL 33137 SELF EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER 11/10/09 $4,800 Toomey, Pat (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
MIAMI,FL 33137 SELF EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER 11/10/09 $2,400 Toomey, Pat (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
MIAMI,FL 33137 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 8/29/09 $2,400 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 3/10/09 $2,400 Rubio, Marco (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 9/1/09 $2,400 Rubio, Marco (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 9/8/09 $2,400 Rubio, Marco (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER 1/30/08 $2,300 McCain, John (R)
Braman, Irma Mrs
Indian Creek,FL 33154 Homemaker/Homemaker 7/31/08 $2,300 Republican National Cmte (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
MIAMI,FL 33131 SELF-EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER 9/18/07 $2,300 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
MIAMI,FL 33131 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 4/25/08 $2,300 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 9/8/09 $-2,400 Rubio, Marco (R)
BRAMAN, IRMA MRS
MIAMI,FL 33137 SELF EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER 11/10/09 $-2,400 Toomey, Pat (R)
Braman, Norman
Miami,FL 33137 5/29/08 $28,500 Republican National Cmte (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 SELF-EMPLOYED/CAR DEALER 5/25/07 $10,000 Republican Party of Florida (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL BRAMAN AUTO DEALER/CAR SALES 11/18/09 $10,000 Republican Party of Miami Dade County (R)
Braman, Norman
Miami,FL 33137 Braman Cadillac 12/31/09 $10,000 Republican Federal Cmte of Pennsylvania (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MANAGEMENT CO./OWNS AUTO DEA 12/1/09 $5,000 Club for Growth
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN ENTERPRISES/OWNER 3/15/07 $5,000 New Jersey First (D)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN ENTERPRISES/OWNER 9/16/08 $5,000 New Jersey First (D)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MOTORS/PRESIDENT 4/26/07 $5,000 Democracy Believers PAC (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33154 BRAMAN MOTORS/OWNER 11/25/09 $2,400 DeMint, James W (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33154 BRAMAN MOTORS/OWNER 11/25/09 $2,400 DeMint, James W (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN AUTOMOTIVE/EXECUTIVE 4/6/09 $2,400 Gelber, Daniel (D)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MANAGEMENT/OWNER AUTO DEALER 4/17/09 $2,400 Wyden, Ron (D)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MGT. ASSOC./CAR DEALER 10/15/07 $2,300 Coleman, Norm (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MANAGEMENT/PRESIDENT 4/28/08 $2,300 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 VICTOR PARTNERS/CEO 3/15/07 $2,300 Lautenberg, Frank R (D)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 VICTOR PARTNERS/CEO 3/15/07 $2,300 Lautenberg, Frank R (D)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MANAGEMENT ASSOC./AUTOMOTIVE 5/1/08 $2,300 Diaz-Balart, Mario (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
MIAMI,FL 33137 BRAMAN MANAGEMENT ASSOC./AUTOMOTIVE 11/13/07 $2,300 Diaz-Balart, Mario (R)
BRAMAN, NORMAN
INDIAN CREEK VILLA,FL 33154 BRAMAN MOTOR CARS/AUTO DEALER 10/16/08 $2,300 Feeney, Tom (R)

PAC INFO FROM: Center for Responsive Politics.

South Florida Cancer Cluster? By Genius of Despair

The Palm Beach Post reports on a suspected South Florida cancer cluster. According to the article, in 2006 and 2007, Southern Florida had more than twice as many childhood brain tumors and cancers as would be expected in that size population: 52 cases instead of 24. Miami Dade County is included in the analysis.

The study is scheduled for publication next month in the journal Pediatric Blood & Cancer.

Tracking Marco Rubio: New Committee Filed With the FEC. By Geniusofdespair

I found this on the Federal Election Committee website: On February 22, 2010 the Secretary of the Senate stamped the Friends of DeMint & Rubio Organization. Two peas in a pod. Do they have any friends? The designated agent is Keith Davis. Lisa Lisker is the Treasurer. It is a joint fund raising committee.

President Obama recently said - quoting DeMint on healthcare reform:

“Just the other day, one Republican senator said – and I'm quoting him now – ‘If we’re able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him'". DeMint and Rubio belong together.

Live the Lie with a Spokesjerk on Health Care. By Geniusofdespair

Private health insurance rocks...or does it, the myth dispelled by a paid health insurance spokesman.

Money in Campaigns for House District 116 and 117. By Geniusofdespair

This was all I could find on the FEC website, through Sept. 30th. Carlos Manrique is leading the pack of 7 candidates in District 116. He collected $49,445. In District 117, Michael Bileca is leading 7 candidates with $46,950. Lisa Lesperance is not that far behind. I am not counting loans to their campaigns, just what they raised.

Note, this is through September (old). Will have to look at State records.

Looked at State records through the end of year, Manrique collected $70,475.00 and Bileca raised $131,415. Michael is overloaded with dental interests. He collected $55,000 from himself. Lesparance collected $50,000 through the end of the year. The State records are awful. I can't be bothered wasting my time.

Fairchild Garden: More on Term Limits for Trustees and Turmoil... by gimleteye

Our blog has written about the turmoil at Fairchild Garden in Coral Gables. At the end of last year, I joined a group of members whose efforts to introduce term limits to the By-Laws of the organization are being stiffly opposed by long-time trustees.

The group of members had coalesced around the firing of the head of education at the Garden, Caroline Lewis. Ms. Lewis was dismissed without cause by Bruce Greer, the president of the Garden. Greer worked around a chain of command to remove her for reasons that do not add up. The contortions that ensued to protect Garden management from criticism have wrapped up the Garden board, demoralized staff and volunteers, and shaken a Miami institution.

After Ms. Lewis was fired (she had innovated and built an environmental education program called the Fairchild Challenge that served, last year, more than 50,000 students in Miami-Dade and provided a model for an important national purpose. She was fired on a pretext-- see our archive for more), the members tried to organize a Special Meeting, provided by the institution's By-Laws, to support Ms. Lewis and to recommend term limits for directors. A protest demonstration was held outside the Garden walls. The board, shocked that opposition had developed for the first time and that members would actually resort to requiring compliance with the Garden's By-Laws, rejected the members' request. Protests continued, including a banner plane flying, "Term Limits for Fairchild". The members also proposed to introduce term limits to the organization at a forthcoming annual meeting. The board refused this request, too, rescheduling the annual meeting. At a board meeting last week, the Fairchild trustees passed a hastily organized, paranoid response: they voted to change the By-Laws to require that any further amendment (ie. term limits) must be approved by a supermajority vote of the board.

In its reaction to criticism, the Garden's politburo-style management-- defending a $20 million endowment-- proves the point of the term limit proposal. The more Garden management papers over divisions it alone created, the more clearly it makes the case itself for change. But Garden managers, with access and use of Garden financial resources, are gambling that the opposition will dissipate over time; to that end, the Garden refused to provide access to the membership mailing list by members as also provided by By-Laws.

Fairchild leadership is convinced that they deserve nothing but praise for dedicated service to the garden and the community. These contortions have been described more fully in the blog, "Term Limits for Fairchild".

Wood Stork Resting. By Geniusofdespair

I always wondered how wading bird sat down with those long legs they need for standing in shallow water to catch fish.

Well, I guess this photo I took in the Everglades last week has answered my question...they bend them. You can tell I had a lot to write about today -- read my column below from last night...pretty big news.

White Guy is Running for the Meek Seat in Congress. By Geniusofdespair

Here is a shocker for you: North Miami Councilman Scott Galvin told Eyeonmiami that he is running for Congress - in the 17th District. He said: "I know I can continue the tradition of public service and leadership we deserve in Washington and that partisan bickering has blocked real progress in Washington. The result is a government that is over-committed overseas and under-serves us here at home." You will remember that Scott was Eyeonmiami's first 'Elected Official Beauty Contest Winner' in 2007.

Scott is running as a Democrat in Florida's 17th District, the Kendrick Meek seat. You might argue that this seat can only be won by a black/African American/Haitian American. But I checked the demographics (Washington Post 2006):
White: 32.9%, Hispanic/Latino (of any race): 21.2%, Black of African American: 56.9%, There are about 5% of other races, mixed.

If Scott can pull together the Whites and Hispanics, he has a chance.

Also running in this race: One Republican, Corey Poitier (R) a Teacher. There are 11 Black Democratic candidates, which gives Scott Galvin a big edge as the Black numbers will be diluted. To see the district map and the other Democratic candidates running hit 'read more':

* Leroy Adam (D)
Realtor
* Marleine Bastien (D)
Non-Profit Group Executive & Haitian-American Community Activist
* Phillip Brutus (D)
State Rep. & Attorney
* James Bush III (D)
State Rep. & Teacher
* Shirley Gibson (D)
Miami Gardens Mayor, Minister, Retired Police Officer & Ex-Businesswoman
* Joe Kelley (D)
Opa Locka Mayor, Ex-City Parks Supervisor & Baptist Pastor
* Rudy Moise (D)
Physician, Radio Station Owner & Community Activist
* Yolly Roberson (D)
State Rep. & Attorney
* Roderick Vereen (D)
Attorney
* André Williams (D)
Miami Gardens City Commissioner, Attorney & Real Estate Investor
* Frederica Wilson (D)
State Sen., Ex-State Rep. & Non-Profit Group Executive Director

Some of you had better drop out if you want to win this thing.

Bilked: another story from South Florida ... by gimleteye

"Miami's little Madoff" is how one Cuban American investor described a prominent businessman and his wife, Gaston and Teresita Cantens (Trust turns to crisis for older investors, Miami Herald, March 4, 2010) . The Cantenses, a politically influential family, were charged with a $135 million real estate related investment fraud, or, Ponzi scheme.

It is inevitable the housing boom and crash, whose political origins were in Miami, would reach into the ranks of elderly Cuban and Latin American investors. This one is particularly redolent: "The Cantenses, said SEC officials, told investors that Jesuit priests and other well-known leaders in the Cuban American community had invested with Royal West. They 'targeted' investors at charitable and religious gatherings and at parties at their Miami home." According to the Herald, the Cantenses also exploited their relationship with members of the prominent Cuban American bastion and feeder of political leadership, Belen Jesuit Prep.

Of the master-strokes facilitating the housing boom, one was a new law passed by the Florida legislature in 2002. It was sponsored by then state representative Gaston I. Cantens, a rising star in the Growth Machine. The measure, called the Everglades Bill or HB 813, helped also to divide and conquer the environmental community. The bill provided $100 million for the Everglades at the same time as eroding citizen rights to protest ill-advised developments, such as those promoted in West Dade suburbs. (Audubon supported the bill, and many other environmental groups blasted it, leading to mistrust in Florida that continues to this day.)

The Cantens bill helped along the process of so much crappy, fetid overdevelopment that fit the needs of Wall Street finance -- and continuous pressure by big, special interests. Today's sad news about "Miami's Little Madoff" is just another blip on a radar screen filled with the static of trillion dollar bailouts by taxpayers and concessions to the flattened homebuilders. In the 2002, the bill Cantens, the son, pushed through raised the threshold for community groups to challenge changes to growth plans. It was a delightful resume builder: eventually Cantens left to the legislature to take on the job as vice president for public relations for Fanjul family sugar barons.) The Herald notes that the son is not named in the SEC complaint.

In 2002, the St. Pete Times editorial board, along with every editorial board in the state, weighed in against the Cantens measure, calling it an "unwarranted assault" against citizen standing: "Now, if a developer seeks a permit on a project that threatens to degrade the environment, Florida residents have a reasonable opportunity to oppose the permit. There is no indication that the right is being abused or that developers are thwarted if their projects are responsible. Yet a fair hearing for the environment is too much to ask of some legislators." (April 3, 2002)

The housing boom in West Dade farmland and wetlands minted South Florida millionaires by the barrel full. The SEC charges that the Cantenses used "$20 million from investors to pay themselves exorbitant salaries, to invest in other projects and to divert some $1 million to their children and grandchildren in the form of alleged 'consulting fees'. The website, Condo Vultures, paints the background of crashed real estate empires: "Delinquent real estate loans at Florida-based banks spiked by 47 percent in 2009 compared to a year earlier as the number of financial institutions in the state decreased by 21, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com."

The Miami Herald doesn't specify what investments, exactly, comprise the failed Cantenses' portfolio called Royal West Properties, but Condo Vultures provides context to the overall market for suburban sprawl that was triggered by the housing boom and its political origins in West Dade suburbs: ""Residential real estate prices have tumbled significantly since the peak of the market in the fourth quarter of 2005," said Peter Zalewski, a principal with the Bal Harbour, Fla.-based real estate consultancy Condo Vultures® LLC. "The challenge for many buyers is the under-$250,000 properties are increasingly located west of Interstate 95 in the suburban areas of South Florida."

Those ghost suburbs aren't filling with happy and gullible new buyers any time soon. Still the stories of personal devastation, of families ripped apart, and dreams dashed are only just beginning to be told. How it all ties back to "The Ownership Society" and its political origins in Miami is still nowhere to be found in the mainstream media.

Should there be an Oversight Board Over the Public Health Trust? By Geniusofdespair

The current Board of Trustees of the Public Health Trust consists of the following members:

Chairperson John H. Copeland III (pictured), Vice Chairperson Angel Medina, Jr., Secretary Georgena D. Ford, R.N., Treasurer Marcos Jose Lapciuc. Trustees: Stanley H. Arkin, Jorge L. Arrizurieta, Gladys Ayala, Esq., Rosy Cancela, Ernesto A. de la Fè, Joaquin del Cueto, Abraham A. Galbut, Saif Y. Ishoof, Esq., Dorrin D. Rolle, County Commissioner, Judy Rosenbaum, Ed.D., Sen. Javier D. Souto, County Commissioner, Martin Zilber, Esq.

Did I care if the County Commission replaced or put an oversight board over these men and women yesterday? Nope, I didn't care one iota. A new bad board to replace an old bad board is a neutral move. I wrote about Jackson in June 2008 raising some yellow flags. The Commission rejected the idea put forth by the Vile Natacha and the Mayor to appoint a new Board probably in a vote of confidence to Rolle and Souto. The Herald said. The Commissioners rejected it mostly because they saw it as a power grab by the Mayor, who would have made the appointments.

The Winner of My Ethically Challenged Beauty Contest is Charged...Again! By Geniusofdespair

Michelle Spence-Jones has some new charges against her, bribery of a developer -- Armando Codina of all people. She was indicted today by a grand jury. She was recently the winner of a beauty contest on this blog for public officials that have been arrested. Grand theft and now bribery, she is a two time winner. The Miami Herald said of the most current charge:

"At a March 23, 2006 commission meeting, project supporters asked elected officials to extend the designation for "Brickell Avenue" north across the Miami River -- a prominent address that would provide a potential boon in marketing the complex, now almost complete. The hotly debated item was delayed until April's commission meeting. But in between the meetings, prosecutors allege, Spence-Jones or a representative solicited $25,000 from Miami developer Armando Codina, whose company was handling the leasing of the project.

Codina agreed and paid $12,500 to a nonprofit organization later created by Spence-Jones, prosecutors say. He asked Ricardo Glas, of MDM Hotel Group, the project's chief builder, to pay another $12,500."

Since Codina didn't report it right away (if at all), the paper said prosecutors "stumbled upon it", you could surmise that political bribes are business as usual to a developer. Or, was it just a case of a developer giving to a 'worthy' cause, writing a check to a non-profit not yet established. The whole thing sucks.

Update: 3/6 -According to the Miami Herald, Armando Codina said he did not pay a bribe. He said he was donating to a gala for Carey Shuler and expected nothing in return. Former Broward Prosecutor John Hanlon said "the crime is the solicitation" and he said the bribe would be hard to prove since the developer didn't get anything for the money.

Harry Emilio Gottlieb is the City of Miami Film Czar. By Geniusofdespair

Harry Emilio Gottlieb, a contributor to Eye on Miami, has taken over the City of Miami film office. Robert Parente, his predecessor, was known to be in Joe Sanchez's camp. Harry's official title is: Director-Mayor's Office of Film, Arts, Culture & Entertainment.

We here at Eyeonmiami are fond of the personable Harry, we wish him a lot of luck in his new job.

The real state of the economy: Jackson Health System's bottom line ... by gimleteye

The unanticipated $224 million shortfall in the Jackson Health System budget has triggered a reaction by county government: we'll take you over. Jackson spends $85 million a month on salaries and could run out of money by this spring. The sponsor of the proposal is queen of unreality; YMCA no-show employee and county commissioner Natacha Seijas. I don't have much kind to say about the fiscal responsibility of the Public Health Trust. In The Herald the trustees expressed "shock" at the county proposal. Shock? On the other hand, replacing them with seven political appointees whose own appointments depend on the unreal world of county commissioners?

The real world problem did emerge in today's front page story. A trustee, Angel Medina Jr. (area president of Region Bank in South Florida) described the problem as "a lack of funding for a growing community need exacerbated by the current economic environment in our community." Let's try to shine that up a little bit: we are in the midst of a Depression only alleviated by the time-release capsules of trillions of dollars in federal taxpayer bailouts. The Depression, triggered by the fraudulent underpinnings of the housing boom-- that wrapped up lowly county commissioners, their campaign contributors, the banks like the one Medina ran for Regions, the Engineering Cartel and Growth Machine supply chain feeding into Wall Street financial derivatives-- means that tax receipts from real estate transactions are massively reduced at the same time that the shadow unemployment rate in one of the nation's poorest counties is pushing over 20 percent.

The sick hospital that cares for Miami's disadvantaged is an accurate reflection of a sick economy. The Miami Herald needs to write that story. The elected officials who know the extent of the sickness-- ie., enormous deficits that will, at some point, have to be funded by increased taxes-- have been wishing, praying and hoping that demand for all those platted subdivisions and condos will be filled with eager and happy buyers leaning on home equity lines of credit to finance the pool furniture. Ain't gonna happen. No Hail Mary passes. The frickinn chickens have come home to roost.

The Tea Party has stiff competition: The Keg Party ... by gimleteye

The Tea Party has competition. The New York Times has noted the emergence of The Coffee Party. I'm hoping The Coffee Party isn't planning to persuade disaffected conservatives with vente lattes and croissants. Still, a slow drip is better than a limp tea bag. But I'm not volunteering for The Coffee Party. I'm affiliating with The Keg Party, Bud Weiser, its chairman, and Sam Adams, party secretary. The Keg Party is a place Joe Six-Pack can call home. The Coffee Party has a tag line: "Stand up and wake up". The Keg Party: "Drink beer, not tea". I'm feeling better already. Keggers United!

County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz is a Good Little Soldier. By Geniusofdespair

You can tell Pepe Diaz is a good soldier by his campaign report. He makes a lot of people and corporations happy, too bad hardly any of his contributors are regular people in his district...or voters.

An average Joe would give $100 or under to a campaign. In total he got about 27 donations $100 (or less) out of the 227 donations totaling $87,990. There were 5 $100 donations from lawyers out of his district. There was one from a consultant living on Old Cutler, an engineer from Ft. Lauderdale and another from a doctor in Coconut Grove (he got about 22 $100 donations). An Engineer in Ft. Lauderdale gave him $50 (he got 4 $50 donations total). Finally, he got one $35 donation from a woman in Hollywood.

Out of the 227 total donations I would estimate that no more than 20 came from regular voters within his district. I was quite generous with the 10 zip codes I searched, giving him the benefit of the doubt. I didn't count the Michael Adler or Shoma Homes multiple donations as they obviously are not 'regular' people who can vote in his district. Pepe had 20 donations from Coral Gables, 8 from Homestead and 10 from Miami Beach Beach. There were about 20 donations from Broward County (probably as many from Broward County as from his own district voters). Then there were the donations from out of State: Alabama (2), Colorado, Virginia and Los Angeles (5). Finally there were a bunch out of the South Florida area: Lutz, West Palm Beach (4), Palm Beach Gardens, St. Augustine, Jupiter, Lakeland, Tampa, Deerfield, Tallahassee, Port St. Lucie, Crystal River and Jacksonville. The majority of the donations were for $500 -- not exactly the amount of choice for us common folks. So exactly who is contributing to Pepe Diaz's campaign? Not voters from District 12, that is for certain.

My Stop-O Marco Campaign is back in full gear. By Geniusofdespair

I had been advocating for Democrats and Independents to switch to the Republican party for the primary. I briefly stopped when I thought that Crist might himself switch parties, but it looks like that is not going to happen, according to the Miami Herald, Crist said:

"I'm not leaving GOP"

And the Herald sub-head:
"Rumors of Gov. Charlie Crist leaving running as an independent persist but are untrue, the governor and his allies said." Bummer. So I am again asking you to register as a Republican. also See a TV 4 video on the Rubio double-billing and Crist talking tough.

On another note, isn't it is good to see the Miami Herald prominently reporting on the TV show the Bachelor? They have their priorities straight, I had to use the search window to find the Crist announcement.

A reader asks about Related Group's Jorge Perez and subsidies... by gimleteye

A reader asks: "Am i the only one who thinks this is a blatant misuse of public funds? Scary! $154,000 per UNIT! to finish units that are 80% done in a neighborhood with 50-75K condos all around. Still, the developers are neing taken care of! disgusting!"

Miami-Dade County funnels $9.8 million to Jorge Perez venture
By Yudislaidy Fernandez
Globally famed for luxury condo towers, Miami developer Jorge Perez, partnering with an affordable housing developer under a new entity, is getting almost $10 million from Miami-Dade County to finish half-built rental buildings in Little Havana.
Commissioners last week approved Bruno Barreiro's use of $10.5 million — an amount allocated to each of the 13 commissioners for capital improvements in their districts — to finish affordable housing projects. (click, read more)

...
Most of the money is going to RUDG LLC, a company formed more than six months ago by The Urban Development Group's Albert Milo and The Related Group's Mr. Perez, who before building nationally touted high-priced waterfront towers built homes for low-income families.
When requesting the funds' approval, Mr. Barreiro told other commissioners this was a way to leverage general obligation bond funds because it would help finish struggling projects and create more affordable housing.
Mr. Perez enjoyed success during the building boom with condos in South Florida, Fort Myers, Las Vegas and elsewhere and was labeled the "Donald Trump of the Tropics." But he was badly hit by the bust, running into trouble with lenders after his company couldn't make debt payments. Lenders now control Related's three-tower Icon Brickell and are trying to sell its 1,600 remaining condos.
In late December, Related got a $6.3 million sales tax refund after a county enterprise zone was expanded to include Icon Brickell. The refund comes from sales taxes the group paid for construction materials to build the complex.
The developer duo is getting $3.7 million for construction on 24-unit Porto Allegre at 574 SW First St. and $6.1 million to finish 49-unit Toscana at 126 SW Eighth Ave., Little Havana rental buildings. Porto Allegre is about 80% complete, Toscana 65%.
The original developer of both was Miami-based mFm Construction, which built several projects in the area.
Mr. Perez's office said he was traveling and unavailable.
Mr. Perez and Mr. Milo are to take over the two foreclosed-upon developments planned during the boom as condos, said Mr. Milo, RUDG's vice president.
Taking over a half-built project is "certainly more challenging than a project we start from the beginning," he said. This type of project, he added, requires more due diligence to know how previous owners handled it.
The group is considering hiring the original developer on a consulting basis, Mr. Milo said, "to give us the background on what transpired before us getting control of the project."
Slated as affordable apartments for the elderly, the properties are to be run long-term by a local housing agency.
Mr. Milo says he expects to start construction within three months, with the company soliciting to hire added contractors for the job.
Once construction begins, each project should take about six months, Mr. Milo said. The county is to monitor process and make monthly site inspections, he said, to ensure the projects stay on track.

Get well and speedy recovery, Dan Ricker! by gimleteye

Ace civic journalist, Dan Ricker, is recovering from major surgery at home we just learned. Ricker, an intrepid observer of the local scene, is publisher and editor and writer of the Watchdog Report. Among his invaluable contributions: the mysteries of Jackson Hospital and the Public Health Trust. Dan was alone in calling early warnings and attention to this keystone institution's impending financial disaster. In a conversation today, Dan noted his illness and first-hand experiences with our health care system's failures. It is shameful that a first-world nation, with first-world medical care, can save uninsured patients and kill them with costs. Maybe Dan will tell his story once he has recovered. Meanwhile, the Ricker Report is on hold. Wish Dan well at: watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

The Heir to Joe Martinez's District 11 Seat. By Geniusofdespair

Alternating Chairman of the Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations Rep. Juan Zapata is the heir apparent to Joe Martinez's seat. He has been crowned by Uber Lobbyist Ron Book with campaign donations a sure sign that Zapata will be the golden boy, the recipient of massive campaign donations from the usual suspects.

I think this signals that Joe Martinez is definitely seeking higher office. You heard it here first. Joe would have to vacate his seat if he runs for Mayor. I don't think Book would have given to the Zapata campaign, nor would Zapata have registered for the seat, if there was any doubt that Martinez had higher aspirations. Although, a reader has said, if he runs for the Congress he would not have to vacate. The Diaz-Balart seat in the House was not open when Zapata registered for Martinez's district. This adds another wrinkle, we might not get rid of Joe in the County if he runs for the U.S. House and loses. Ick.

Juan has already collected $10,000 for the election in 2012. He has Sugar money, Citrus and PAC money from medical interests. Most notable is the $1,500 from Book and wife. He has local experience having served on the Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity Board, Miami-Dade Planning Advisory Board and West Kendall Community Council as Chairman. And, yes, he is better than Joe. Just about anybody is...
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Outside the box: a surtax on utilities to restore journalism ... by gimleteye

Our blog has taken plenty of pot shots at The Miami Herald over the years, but we've also recognized that high quality investigative reporting can accomplish what unpaid bloggers rarely do: break important stories that require the investment of time and research and are important, one way or another, to the public interest. Journalism is not an air plant: it needs a profit model. There has been an endless amount of ink spilled on this issue. I think the answer is simple: treat the consumer base and news as an extension of regulated utilities. Anyone who gets an electric utility or water bill, gets a surcharge to support paid journalism.

That the Great Recession/Depression has put newspapers under unprecedented pressure is not news. It takes blogs like ours to point out that the pressure of profits from advertisers constrained most if not all daily newspapers from tracking and reporting out the housing market bubble as it was rising; there was no criticism of these sacred cows and, as a result, no public pressure where it might have built in defense of reasonable measures to protect the nation's financial, insurance and banking systems. (The print journalism sources who did the best job, like Harpers Magazine, or -- in Florida-- The St. Pete Times, are not hooked up to the Wall Street quarterly profit squeeze.)

A reasonable people would conclude that being asleep at the switch-- as the mainstream press was, leading up to our economic crisis-- is a matter of national defense, not just a matter of talk and hand-wringing at Congressional committees.

Our own, only daily newspaper-- The Miami Herald-- so carefully balanced income and expenses that it missed reporting the political origins of the housing boom and bust, right in South Florida, completely. I've written this before: our democracy cannot survive the withering of independent journalism. It is a death by degrees. In 2009, Congressional hearings on "The Future of Journalism" took a close look at these issues. They were explored in detail. There, David Simon, former journalist with The Baltimore Sun and writer of the acclaimed series, The Wire, testified, " In short, my industry butchered itself and we did so at the behest of Wall Street and the same unfettered, free-market logic that has proved so disastrous for so many American industries. And the original sin of American newspapering lies, indeed, in going to Wall Street in the first place. When locally-based, family-owned newspapers like the Sun were consolidated into publicly-owned newspaper chains, an essential dynamic, an essential trust between journalism and the communities served by that journalism was betrayed."

But if journalism doesn't go to Wall Street or to Rupert Murdoch and the Fox News Circles of Hell, where does it go? I think it has to go on our electric or water utility bills. We need independent journalism the same way we need water and light. Of course, as we well know and report on our blog, there is a whole other set of difficulties with regulating the purveyors of electricity and water. Florida's dismal politics have allowed utilities to act in ways that are often contrary to the public interest in order to prioritize the 20 year investment schedules of the Engineering Cartel and Growth Machine. The mechanics of allocating income from a surtax on utilities, in order to insulate and firewall journalism and its beneficiaries from exactly the rat's nest of problems that afflict the relationship of consumers to utilities today, needs to be carefully sorted out.

There are all sorts of problems with this out-of-the-box idea to save journalism, but none are greater or more looming than the demise of American democracy.