Vote ‘YES’ on Florida Amendment 1 to Reject ObamaCare (Election: Nov. 2012)

FLORIDA AMENDMENT #1 REFERS TO OBAMACARE The Florida Constitutional Amendment #1 on the November ballot (titled ‘Health Care Services’) refers to ObamaCare also known as Affordable Care Act (ACT). Recommendation & Summary Voting ‘YES’ on the Florida Constitutional Amendment #1 would prevent Florida’s citizens from being forced by the federal or state government to purchase health insurance as mandated by the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a ObamaCare.) Voting ‘YES’ on Amendment 1 would send a loud message that Floridians oppose Obamacare and would prevent “Florida’s own state government at some future point from adopting a similar requirement at the state level, as was done in Massachusetts,” concludes The James Madison Institute. Analysis via The James Madison Institute (JMI): IN BRIEF: Amendment 1 prohibits laws or rules compelling anyone to buy health insurance. ANALYSIS: Amendment 1 is essentially a referendum on the Affordable Care Act [Obamacare]. If you favored the ACA, you would want to vote against Amendment 1. If you opposed the ACA [Obamacare], you would want to vote for Amendment 1. As many voters may already know, The James Madison Institute has grave concerns about the ACA, considering it an infringement on individual liberty, an abandonment of free-market principles, and a usurpation of states’ rights under the U.S. Constitution’s Tenth Amendment, and such a costly imposition on employers that it is likely to result in a loss of jobs. That is why JMI fi led an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the portion of the ACA that would have forced states to participate in a vast expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state program offering healthcare services to low income families, or else risk losing all of the federal matching funds the states receive to underwrite the cost of the current Medicaid program. A 7-2 majority of the justices agreed with JMI and others with regard to forcing states to participate in an enormous and costly expansion of Medicaid. Despite this ruling, however, it should be noted that many of the onerous provisions of the ACA remain in force, so attempting to insulate Floridians from their impact — even as a futile gesture — would put the state’s voters on record in a manner that various public opinion polls cannot. PRO: Legislative critics of the Obama Administration’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) placed this amendment on the ballot in June of 2011, almost a year before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that portions of the ACA are constitutional. The purpose, evident from the wording, was to confer on Floridians a right under the state Constitution to refuse to comply with any “individual mandate” requiring everyone to buy health insurance. Although ACA proponents now argue that the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2012 ruling has rendered this proposed amendment moot…, supporters nonetheless offer two arguments in favor of Amendment 1. First, they say a substantial vote of support will “send a message” conveying Florida voters’ opposition to the ACA. Second, in the event the ACA were to be repealed or significantly modified, the amendment would prevent Florida’s own state government at some future point from adopting a similar requirement at the state level, as was done in Massachusetts.

RELATED – 2012 VOTER GUIDES for Florida and Miami-Dade Voters – Obamacare’s negative consequences

2012 Florida Amendments, Voter Guides…for November 6, 2012 (Updated)

This post was last updated on Nov. 5, 2012.

INFORMATION FOR FLORIDA VOTERS HELPFUL LINKS FOR THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION: General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2012

2012 FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS VOTER GUIDES – FLORIDA AMENDMENTS Florida Amendments are Full of Tax Cuts; Leftists Vote ‘NO’ on ALL Amendments, most Christians are calling to vote ‘YES’ on their voter guides: • Summaries: Florida Family Policy Council (Recommendations), United Christians of Florida • Analyses: Florida Tax Watch (PDF), James Madison Institute. • Christians: Florida Family Action, United Christians of Florida • Conservative: Eagle Forum • Left-wing: SEIU (Labor Union), Miami Herald, ACLU (Beware: The League of Women Voters is a liberal group pretending to be nonpartisan) BACKGROUND • Background: Find the sponsors of the bills and the full text of each proposed amendment. • Financial Impact: How much will each proposed amendment cost to Floridians. • Index: Changes to Florida Constitution if the proposed constitutional amendments pass (Español) WHO IS BEHIND THE ADS Against Florida Amendments: • Vote No on 8: Donations: As of 10/12/2012, it has received $1 million from the Public Education Defense Fund. • Vote No On 6: Donations: As of 10/12/2012, the group has received $3.2 million in donations. One of the donors is the abortion mill known with the misleading name of Planned Parenthood. In Favor of Florida Amendments • Say Yes On 6 (Citizens for Protecting Taxpayers and Parental Rights): Donations: As of 10/12/2012, the group has received $409,410. Among the donors are: Florida Right to Life, Florida Family Action, and many Catholic groups.

2012 CANDIDATES VOTER GUIDES – CANDIDATES • Pro-Family: Faith & Freedom Coalition, Florida Family Policy Council, Priests For Life, Eagle Forum • Left-wing: SEIU (Labor Union) PRESIDENTIAL • FACTS: Romney vs. Obama U.S. SENATE • Voter Guide: Connie Mack (R) vs. Bill Nelson (D)

2012 JUDGES VOTER GUIDES – FLORIDA JUDGES • Florida Family Policy Council

2012 MIAMI-DADE ELECTIONS • SAMPLE BALLOT • VOTER GUIDE: Candidates for President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Florida House, Florida Senate • Vote ‘NO’ on the $1.2 Billion BOND for Schools…and Labor Unions • ALL COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) Vote ‘YES’ on Term Limit for County Commissioners 2) Editing the Charter’s Titles and Sections 3) Vote ‘NO’ on Commissioners Land Vote 4) Vote ‘NO’ on Creating New Municipalities & Annexations (Details here) 5) Vote ‘NO’ on Bill of Rights 6) Transfer of Power to Commission in Case of Vacancy 7) County Mayoral Conflicts 8) Vote ‘NO’ on Tennis Center at Crandon Park 9) Vote ‘NO’ on Tax Increase for Animal Services (Videos here) 10) Vote ‘YES’ to Reject Terrorist-Related Businesses FLORIDA’S 26th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (FL-26): Democrat Joe Garcia vs. Republican David Rivera • FACTS: Joe Garcia, Democrat Candidate for FL-26 • Dem Candidate Joe Garcia Harasses Teachers with Spam Emails • Voter Guide 1: Rivera (R) vs. Garcia (D) • Voter Guide 2: Rivera (R) vs. Garcia (D)

RESOURCES CAMPAIGN FINANCING REPORTS • OpenSecrets: Florida Races: Candidates & Donors • Federal Election Commission (FEC): Disclosure Reports • Florida Election Dept: Florida Candidate Tracking System DIRECTORIES • Florida State Senators • Florida State Representatives • Find you Legislator – Current and New: Before and after the 2012 redistricting. Once you enter your address or zip code, a new page will appear with the list of your current legislators. On the right panel, you can press the buttons ‘Current’ or ‘New’ to see the map of your current or newly redrawn district. Or go to the maps. • Redistricting 2012: New Districts in Place for 2012 Elections OTHER • Florida Division of Elections • Florida Supervisors of Election by County • Early Voting Sites by County • Campaign Financing Guides • Elections Fraud: Information and Hotline number • Check Your Voter Status • Glossary of Legislative Terms • Florida Constitution and Florida Laws and Statuses

2012 Florida Amendments RECOMMENDATIONS (Election: Nov. 2012)

The pro-family and pro-liberty Florida Family Action is recommending Floridians to vote ‘YES’ on all the Proposed Amendments. Read their full Voter Guide here or their quick explanations of the amendments. The Amendments would advance the GOP’s low-tax, small-government agenda, pointed out the Associated Press which also reported that all the amendments “were put there by the Republican-led Florida Legislature.” Therefore, liberal-leaning groups oppose the amendments and are recommending leftists to vote ‘NO’ on ALL Amendments. While many Christians, pro-family groups are recommending to vote ‘YES.’ (Voter Guides from both sides here, plus analyses, donors, etc.) NOTE: Vote ‘YES’ on Amendment #1 to send a message to Obama that you oppose ObamaCare.

2012 Fla. Amendments Full of Tax Cuts; Leftists Vote ‘NO’ on ALL Amendments (Election: Nov. 6, 2012)

LEFTISTS OPPOSE FLORIDA AMENDMENTS BECAUSE THEY OFFER LOW TAXES AND SMALL GOVERNMENT WHICH IS WHAT MOST AMERICANS WANT The AP reported: “All [amendments] were put there by the Republican-led Florida Legislature and would advance the GOP’s low-tax, small-government agenda.” Liberal-leaning groups oppose the amendments. Indeed. If you look at the many 2012 voter guides we compiled, the Left will vote ‘NO’ on all Florida’s Proposed Constitutional Amendments. Most Christian groups are calling to vote ‘YES’ on all the Florida amendments. Here are some parts of the Associated Press report describing the Left’s monolithic opposition to the Florida amendments:

Florida voters are getting a chance to give tax relief to first-time home buyers, businesses, “snowbirds” and others who own second homes as well as put a more effective cap on state revenue growth, but both proposed state constitutional amendments have drawn widespread opposition. They are among six amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot – out of 11 – that deal with tax relief and government finance. All were put there by the Republican-led Florida Legislature and would advance the GOP’s low-tax, small-government agenda. Most of the public debate has focused on the state revenue limit in Amendment 3 and local property tax breaks in Amendment 4. They have drawn support from businesses interests. The opposition has included local officials, liberal-leaning groups and others. All amendments require at least 60 percent approval to pass. Cities (who are addicted to the constant stream of taxes) and liberal groups like the League of Women Voters are not happy with the proposed amendments: Amendment 4’s opponents also include the Florida League of Cities, individual local governments and officials and the League of Women Voters of Florida. Leftist groups oppose the amendments: The League of Women Voters, unions representing teachers, police, firefighters and other public employees, AARP, the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Florida Council on Aging, Florida Consumer Action Network, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, National Association of Social Workers of Florida are among about 50 groups also opposing Amendment 3. More reasons why the Left is voting against the amendments: Many Americans will get tax cuts if the Florida voters approve the amendments: Other proposed tax breaks on the ballot: – Amendment 2 offers special property tax exemptions to all disabled veterans with primary homes in Florida. An existing provision limits that benefit to disabled veterans who were Florida residents when they joined the military. The amount of the exemption matches each veteran’s percentage of disability. – Amendment 9 would provide full property tax exemptions to the surviving spouses of military veterans and civilian first responders who die while on active duty or in the line of duty. First responders include police, firefighters, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. – Amendment 10 would double the exemption for personal property taxes that businesses pay for furniture, machinery, tools, equipment and other items. – Amendment 11 would give another property tax exemption to low-income homeowners who are 65 and older and have lived in their houses at least 25 years.

2012 FLORIDA ELECTIONS: Amendments, Voter Guides…for November 6, 2012 (Updated)

This post was last updated on Nov. 5, 2012.

INFORMATION FOR FLORIDA VOTERS HELPFUL LINKS FOR THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION: General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2012

2012 FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS VOTER GUIDES – FLORIDA AMENDMENTS Florida Amendments are Full of Tax Cuts; Leftists Vote ‘NO’ on ALL Amendments, most Christians are calling to vote ‘YES’ on their voter guides: • Summaries: Florida Family Policy Council (Recommendations), United Christians of Florida • Analyses: Florida Tax Watch (PDF), James Madison Institute. • Christians: Florida Family Action, United Christians of Florida • Conservative: Eagle Forum • Left-wing: SEIU (Labor Union), Miami Herald, ACLU (Beware: The League of Women Voters is a liberal group pretending to be nonpartisan) BACKGROUND • Background: Find the sponsors of the bills and the full text of each proposed amendment. • Financial Impact: How much will each proposed amendment cost to Floridians. • Index: Changes to Florida Constitution if the proposed constitutional amendments pass (Español) WHO IS BEHIND THE ADS . . . . . . Read the rest here.

2012 FLORIDA ELECTIONS: Amendments, Voter Guides…for November 6, 2012 (Updated)

This post was last updated on Nov. 5, 2012.

INFORMATION FOR FLORIDA VOTERS HELPFUL LINKS FOR THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION: General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2012

2012 FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS VOTER GUIDES – FLORIDA AMENDMENTS Florida Amendments are Full of Tax Cuts; Leftists Vote ‘NO’ on ALL Amendments, most Christians are calling to vote ‘YES’ on their voter guides: • Summaries: Florida Family Policy Council (Recommendations), United Christians of Florida • Analyses: Florida Tax Watch (PDF), James Madison Institute. • Christians: Florida Family Action, United Christians of Florida • Conservative: Eagle Forum • Left-wing: SEIU (Labor Union), Miami Herald, ACLU (Beware: The League of Women Voters is a liberal group pretending to be nonpartisan) BACKGROUND • Background: Find the sponsors of the bills and the full text of each proposed amendment. • Financial Impact: How much will each proposed amendment cost to Floridians. • Index: Changes to Florida Constitution if the proposed constitutional amendments pass (Español) WHO IS BEHIND THE ADS Against Florida Amendments: • Vote No on 8: Donations: As of 10/12/2012, it has received $1 million from the Public Education Defense Fund. • Vote No On 6: Donations: As of 10/12/2012, the group has received $3.2 million in donations. One of the donors is the abortion mill known with the misleading name of Planned Parenthood. In Favor of Florida Amendments • Say Yes On 6 (Citizens for Protecting Taxpayers and Parental Rights): Donations: As of 10/12/2012, the group has received $409,410. Among the donors are: Florida Right to Life, Florida Family Action, and many Catholic groups.

2012 CANDIDATES VOTER GUIDES – CANDIDATES • Pro-Family: Faith & Freedom Coalition, Florida Family Policy Council, Priests For Life, Eagle Forum • Left-wing: SEIU (Labor Union) PRESIDENTIAL • FACTS: Romney vs. Obama U.S. SENATE • Voter Guide: Connie Mack (R) vs. Bill Nelson (D)

2012 JUDGES VOTER GUIDES – FLORIDA JUDGES • Florida Family Policy Council

2012 MIAMI-DADE ELECTIONS • SAMPLE BALLOT • VOTER GUIDE: Candidates for President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Florida House, Florida Senate • Vote ‘NO’ on the $1.2 Billion BOND for Schools…and Labor Unions • ALL COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) Vote ‘YES’ on Term Limit for County Commissioners 2) Editing the Charter’s Titles and Sections 3) Vote ‘NO’ on Commissioners Land Vote 4) Vote ‘NO’ on Creating New Municipalities & Annexations (Details here) 5) Vote ‘NO’ on Bill of Rights 6) Transfer of Power to Commission in Case of Vacancy 7) County Mayoral Conflicts 8) Vote ‘NO’ on Tennis Center at Crandon Park 9) Vote ‘NO’ on Tax Increase for Animal Services (Videos here) 10) Vote ‘YES’ to Reject Terrorist-Related Businesses FLORIDA’S 26th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (FL-26): Democrat Joe Garcia vs. Republican David Rivera • FACTS: Joe Garcia, Democrat Candidate for FL-26 • Dem Candidate Joe Garcia Harasses Teachers with Spam Emails • Voter Guide 1: Rivera (R) vs. Garcia (D) • Voter Guide 2: Rivera (R) vs. Garcia (D)

RESOURCES CAMPAIGN FINANCING REPORTS • OpenSecrets: Florida Races: Candidates & Donors • Federal Election Commission (FEC): Disclosure Reports • Florida Election Dept: Florida Candidate Tracking System DIRECTORIES • Florida State Senators • Florida State Representatives • Find you Legislator – Current and New: Before and after the 2012 redistricting. Once you enter your address or zip code, a new page will appear with the list of your current legislators. On the right panel, you can press the buttons ‘Current’ or ‘New’ to see the map of your current or newly redrawn district. Or go to the maps. • Redistricting 2012: New Districts in Place for 2012 Elections OTHER • Florida Division of Elections • Florida Supervisors of Election by County • Early Voting Sites by County • Campaign Financing Guides • Elections Fraud: Information and Hotline number • Check Your Voter Status • Glossary of Legislative Terms • Florida Constitution and Florida Laws and Statuses