Inauguration Day: The Dark Lord Cometh

The second verse of Psalm 146 says: Put not your trust in rulers nor in any child of the earth, for their is no help in them.

I certainly think that's true of Florida as we prepare for the inauguration of Rick Scott as our 45th Governor. Besides the fame he gained in winning the campaign by spending millions of his own money, our new Governor has the special distinction of pleading the fifth 75 times in his scheme where he defrauded the federal government out of one-point-seven billion dollars. Makes you wonder what he means when he says, "Let's Get to Work!"

The new Governor, who has managed to remain unscathed, is planning a big blow-out party for his inauguration, the likes of which have not been seen in the capital city for quite some time. They have temporarily renamed major down town streets in honor of Scott and the now all-Republican cabinet. Candlelight dinners for donors, and a 3-million dollar inaugural ball for his supporters. According to a report in the New York Times, the governor, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lord Voldemort of the Harry Potter series, plans a black tie dinner which is not open to the public. It will have a catered menu of Oysters Rockefeller and fried calamari served in martini glasses for the 2,100 invited guests. "Real classy," says the caterer. Really out-of-touch, I say.

Days before Christmas, Scott gave many state workers a pink slip. There are likely more to come. That's often the case when there's a change in administration, but in this economy where jobs are scarce, it is the type of thing that sends a chill not just down the spine of the fired, but throughout our fair city. A number of my clients are employed by the state. And they are scared. Republicans have not been friendly toward state workers and continue to slice and dice agencies in ways that don't make them function any better. The scuttlebutt in the city is that Scott is talking about merging the Department of Transportation with the Departments of Environmental Protection and Department of Community Affairs. His newly-named DEP chief is from the business community, a guy who is a lawyer and an executive with the Jacksonville Shipyard. I suppose if he becomes the head of a new massive Department of Growth Management the goal would be to pave paradise and put up a parking lot. Or at least a dock!

Furthermore, one of the major contributors to Rick Scott's campaign coffers were the two private prison companies hoping to score some contracts with the new administration. Scott stumped on a message of wanting to bring the Arizona anti-immigrant law to Florida. Amazingly, in a state with few people who can call themselves native, such a message took root. And there are bills already filed by the legislature to get the ball rolling. Who benefits from laws such as the one in Arizona? Prisons, especially private prisons. Because we have to put the arrested somewhere. It makes me sick.

The billboard from the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce reads in the corner "Let's Work Together". I think that's a nice twist on Rick Scott's mantra. Unfortunately, I spent too many years up close and personal with our state leaders to believe that they will want to work with us. The Governor and legislature seem to be poised to work "on" us.

O God, forget not your city of Tallahassee and all who live here. And make haste to help us!