By Peter Schorsch, Executive Editor, SaintPetersBlog
For a moment there, Florida progressives had a winning strategy to defeat several ballot initiatives to be decided this November.
In the progressive’s crosshairs were several proposed measures, including one to prohibit the use of public funds for abortions except as required by federal law and to save the mother’s life and the “Religious Freedom” amendment which would prevent individuals from being barred from participating in public programs if they choose to use public funds at a religious provider.
All told, there are now 11 constitutional amendments that will be on the November ballot.
Organizing and preparing for November, progressives arrived at a simple, smart strategy to defeat these and the other amendments they opposed. 'Vote No on Everything' was the basic concept. Think of it as the political equivalent of Occam’s razor.
Unfortunately, these best laid plans are already for naught.
The Legislature on Friday placed on the 2012 ballot two constitutional amendments that would cut property taxes if approved by voters.
One of the amendments would eliminate property taxes for the surviving spouse of a military veteran who died while on duty or for the surviving spouse of a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or correctional officer killed while on duty.
The other amendment would eliminate property taxes for poor seniors who have lived in their home for at least 25 years.
Who can vote against these initiatives? Who’s going to oppose helping poor seniors or veterans’ widows? No one, that’s who.
And so Florida progressives’ plan to urge voters to 'Vote No on Everything' no longer works. After all, you can’t create a bumper sticker which reads 'Vote No on Everything Except the Good Stuff.'
Or can you?
