Keys Courts Ignore Local Businesses on Sole Source Wireless Project

State of Florida and Courts Have Budget Shortfalls Someone should tell the Courts

As the IT director at the Office of the State Attorney I have been clamoring for consistent reliable wireless Internet access in the Keys Courtrooms for years. Granted there are isolated Courtrooms, where off the shelf wireless routers provide some limited internet access, such as in Judge Fowler’s Courtroom, but attorneys throughout the Keys know all too well that that access is the exception. Attorneys require Internet access to do research, check calendars, and in our case gain access to our case management system as we move towards a more paperless environment.

Imagine how elated I was when it came to my attention that the Courts were pursuing consistent wireless Internet access. In July, Trial Court Administrator Holly Elomina presented to State Attorney Executive Director Nancy Criswell a quote for equipment for a wireless project from tech firm CDW-G for $34,269, with a request for the State Attorney to provide approximately ⅓ of the cost, or approximately $12,000. Apparently, the Public Defender would also be providing $12,000 to split the project in thirds. Elomina wrote on this quote which did not include any labor, “Quote for all three courthouses.” Along with this quote, Elomina provided a paid invoice for $4,945 that was from CDW-G for having provided the quote and site survey, that Elomina generously took credit for having already paid. This invoice included $1,615 of travel expenses, for as you see, CDW-G is a company based in Illinois.

Nancy Criswell, being one of the few government administrators that I admire for her frugality, and eye for detail, asked me to review the quote, and asked Elomina for a specific list of equipment that the State Attorney’s Office would be purchasing from it, along with a separate quote for such. While elated that my long requested wireless project was being addressed, I immediately was concerned about the price. Including the site survey, this project was knocking on $40,000, and while I am fully aware that a solution like the wireless router in Judge Fowler’s courtroom is completely inadequate, it probably did only cost $50. I took the quote and quickly referenced some prices from Comp-USA for comparison, and within five minutes determined that there was the potential to save $3,000.

I forwarded the quote with my chicken scratches back to Elomina illustrating the savings and asked, “Have other quotes or evaluations been procured?” Elomina never replied. Now, by law due to the fact that the equipment was under state contract there is no requirement to get other quotes. But the ultimate source of funding for this project is from the County, and according to Monroe County Purchasing Policy, Chapter 7B, any purchases under State contract over $25,000 should be sourced from other South Florida Businesses, and if prices are lower, the purchase must be made through those sources. Essentially the Courts not only got just one quote, but it cost five grand to get it.

Naked Conch Looks to Expose Local Talent

Do you or someone you know have a knack for writing?  Want to show off your stuff on Naked Conch?

Well, we're looking for some talent to help unveil the Keys because we need help... obviously in more ways than one!

If you feel you have what it takes to cover local issues here in the Keys in a lighthearted but detailed manner, send us a sample blog post!  We are specifically looking for individuals to cover specific topics, but we're not trapped in a shell.  So if you have other ideas, let's hear 'em!!

Expose me!

We are searching for people who think they can cover...

Local sports
Band Reviews
Restaurant Reviews
Bar Reviews
Upcoming Charity Events
Occupy Protests
Higgs Beach Boxing Matches
Key West City Commission Meetings
Monroe County Board of County Commissioner Meetings
Monroe County School Board Meetings

and most importantly...

what the dickens goes on inside that joint called the Purple Porpoise on Big Coppitt!!

Give us a shout at matt@nakedconch.com if you think you have what it takes to guest post on NC!

Those chosen as lucky contributors will receive a years worth of unrecycled pizza boxes rejected at the single stream recycling facility and one naked Conch koozie to help keep their beer cold!

...and if you're like us and can't write...at least send us links to your YouTube videos taken throughout the Keys.

Key West the Newspaper ready to roll this Friday, November 11

Dennis Reeves Cooper apparently has received enough financial support to publish Key West the Newspaper this Friday, November 11.  After being on the ropes financially, with  numerous stories and rumors spreading throughout the community, Cooper received an outpouring of support from local fans of the Blue Paper.

Donations both small and large have combined to provide enough financial support for Cooper to continue on with his publication.  Read about it here in the Key West Citizen.

We look forward to Friday, when we can expect the familiar Blue Paper to once again be distributed throughout Key West and found on-line at www.kwtnblue.com.

An Army of Two

3rd District Court of Appeals Judge Attributes Destruction of Due Process to our own Judge Sandra Taylor
Sometimes you feel vindicated. Sometimes there is the occasion that some event occurs that solidifies your beliefs and eliminates that “lone wolf” feeling. Just when I was beginning to wonder why no one else can see what is so obvious to me, I read these words from 3rd District Court of Appeals Judge Juan Ramirez, Jr., 

“In my view, to affirm what happened here requires that we turn a blind eye to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, the Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct, and the Code of Judicial Conduct, to say nothing of the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida.”

What is this highly respected Judge referring to? Would you believe our very own 16th Judicial Circuit Judge Sandra Taylor, the retired Judge that has been handling so many of our foreclosure cases. What caused Judge Ramirez to articulate such an extreme, no holds barred position that correlates with my oft repeated suppositions? Ramirez explained,

“I dissent because I cannot condone the unprofessional and unethical means used by the bank’s counsel, with the trial court’s complicity, to obtain an amended final judgment in this case. Counsel for Centennial Bank admitted at oral argument that the amended final judgment, which more than doubled the amount of the deficiency judgment, was obtained after an ex parte communication with the judge’s chambers. Either the judge or her staff then advised counsel on how to proceed. Not only was it improper for the trial court to give legal advice, but the advice was wrong—directing counsel to send a letter with a proposed amended final judgment, rather than to file a motion seeking appropriate relief. This was then followed by another ex parte communication—a letter from the bank’s counsel to the judge, that then resulted in a new final judgment two and half times larger than the previous final judgment. The bank did not even send a copy of the letter to the appellant.”

Kudos to Yaniz

Here's a big shout out to newly elected Key West City Commissioner Tony Yaniz for working to drive the last nail in the coffin of the channel widening debate.  The widening issue, which by the way, according to an ongoing  poll on this blog, is failing by almost a 4 to 1 margin.

According to the Key West Citizen, Yaniz will be working on a resolution to propose that the City's position is to put this dog to bed and not pursue it any further.

From the Citizen article...

"I am not anti-cruise ship," Yaniz said. "They provide some money to the city. I am anti-widening of the channel. It is obvious that the large majority of the citizens of this island do not want the widening of the channel. They are now starting to see through the smokescreen that was thrown out there."

I have written often about milk toast politicians, who won't take a stand or will ride the fence in order not to offend anyone.  I have argued that true leadership is doing what is right and fighting for it.  After this last effort to put a referendum item on the City ballot, which might have been OK aside from the fact that it was vague and open ended and made no reference to the potential costs, Yaniz is right to lead the way to put an end to the debate once and for all.

Rumors of Cooper's Demise have been greatly exaggerated.

by Matt Gardi

While he is not Mark Twain, Dennis Reeves Cooper is a great writer and has been a fantastic asset to Key West over the years. I have been amused by the many comments that I have read and heard regarding Dennis after word spread around the Keys that he suspended publication of Key West the Newspaper.

Most amusing to me are those that are rejoicing in the challenges Dennis is facing because I know for a fact that while he is down, he most certainly is not out! I’m reminded of Rocky, in the first movie, hanging on the ropes, with his coach Mick yelling for him to stay down. But Rocky pulled himself up to continue to fight on.

Those of you who have been relishing in the fact that Dennis Cooper now finds himself on the ropes might be the first to remind me that Rocky ultimately lost the fight. But just as in the movie Rocky, our hero’s battle may not be what every one else might perceive it to be. For as you see, Rocky won because all he ever wanted to do was go the distance and be standing after 15 rounds.

 As with Rocky, those throughout the community that are giddy at the prospect of Dennis Reeves Cooper suspending publication and having financial challenges might find themselves a bit disappointed as Dennis pulls himself up the ropes and returns to the ring for another swing. You see, anyone who knows Dennis, knows full well that his victory is not in running a newspaper that makes millions of dollars, but rather in being a vigilant watch dog in our community. His victory is knowing that when officials or business people might consider doing something a little shady, that they have to pause and wonder to themselves, “Is this going to end up on the cover of the Blue Paper?”

The Bust of Socrates in the Vatican.
Look Familiar?

Plato referred to Socrates as the “gadfly” of the state, as he irritated certain people in power with his pursuit of justice and what is right. Dennis Reeves Cooper and Key West the Newspaper play such a role in our community. 

Further, Cooper has, and continues to be, an inspiration to others who champion the same cause. The many contributors, including myself, whom over the years have come to him with stories, or written their own know full well what a value, Dennis and Key West the Newspaper have been to our community over the years.

To the chagrin of Cooper’s foes, support is flowing in, and the crowd is cheering for this under dog to pull himself up the ropes and continue the battle. At the end of Rocky, the crowds were not cheering for the fact that Apollo Creed had won another fight, rather they were cheering for the fact that the underdog southpaw from Philly went the distance. They were cheering for the fact the Rocky had won his own battle, and inspired us all to fight on in the face of great adversity.

Fight on Dennis, fight on!

Dredging for Dummies

For those of you that read my columns with any frequency, you might have a sneaking suspicion that I’m not the greatest fan of government waste. The mere fact that any government entity is even considering a five million dollar feasibility study to dredge the cut coming into Key West harbor has me oscillating between laughing and crying. Laughing because it is clearly fodder for a John Stewart segment, and crying because I know government is just stupid enough to do it.

First, let’s put all those “if you don’t support dredging the channel you are anti-business” arguments to bed. Quite the contrary. Many of the opponents of this proposed five million dollar displacement of our tax dollars are business owners themselves, and recognize the need for a diverse economic base. It’s that word diverse that I would like to stress, a word that characterizes a healthy, sustainable economic base.

Let’s take a look at the rationale behind this disastrous determination to dig. The argument is that the cruise ship industry is moving towards larger ships, and that current sections of the channel leading into Key West Harbor will not be navigable to such vessels. In the end, it is theorized that due to this constraint, the cruise ship industry will be forced to choose other ports of call, abandoning Key West, and destroying our local economy.

State Attorney Dennis Ward To Take Closer Look at Robo-signing.

Inspired by a recent article in Florida Bar News, State Attorney Dennis Ward of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Florida has expressed a renewed interest in examining what has commonly become known as robo-signing. Robo-signing and it’s derivatives occur when banks and their counsel create documents relating to foreclosures that are often questionable in nature. Recent media attention has been directed towards the issue resulting in a temporary decrease in foreclosure filings, but that trend now seems to be reversing.

In a recent discussion after the Florida Bar News article, Ward stressed that his greatest concern is preserving the integrity of the system, including both the legal process and land records. In instances when someone is not paying their mortgage he feels that a creditor should have every right to foreclose as expeditiously as possible, but he stresses that that is provided the creditor does so with valid paper work, and within the proper bounds of due process.

“The economy has created an unfortunate avalanche of foreclosures,” Ward suggests “and with that sheer volume it is realistic to expect some valid errors. But in those instances when someone knowingly creates questionable documents and files them, I have a problem with that.”

In many cases knowingly questionable documents have resulted in foreclosures, and Ward sees two problems resulting from this. First is the obvious fact that a bank may have taken possession of a home by questionable means, a point of contention in public debate of the issue. Some see this as a smaller infraction than the homeowner holding onto a house and not paying their mortgage. But State Attorney Ward is equally as concerned about the difficulties this creates down the road as a result of clouded title histories. He feels this also could create challenges for subsequent purchasers who may have to deal with the ramifications of the questionable process that occurred well before they bought the property.

“There is no question that this puts pressure on property values across the board,” Ward suggests, “and ultimately it places a burden on our tax base, record keeping and legal system down the road.”

Homestead Exemption Band-aide (Slay the Vampire of Over Taxation)

As published in Key West the Newspaper 9/16/2011

Question. Should I be thankful if a vampire offers me a band-aide for the puncture wounds on my neck? You might not have guessed that the band-aide I am referring to is Florida’s Homestead exemption, but I would like to take you on a little adventure to explore the revered exemption, and it’s nebulous counterpart, Save Our Homes and illustrate how they are regressive monstrosities. But mind you, the true story is that government is the vampire sucking the lifeblood out of all of us through over taxation, while we remain distracted on the merits of the band-aide they give us in return.

First, take a moment to go on line and review section 196.031 of the Florida Statutes. Well, obviously more than a moment because as you might see, the section is as tangled as the anchor line piled in my anchor well. But this is commonplace when government creates a “solution.” The idea is, that in order to assist Florida homeowners that reside in their primary residence, that the first part of their assessed property value be exempt from taxation. Or more appropriately, the vampire requires so much blood to sustain itself, that it offers a band-aide to “voters” and we should all be thankful.

Leader or Politician? (Demetrios, you're my hero!)

As originally published in Key West the Newspaper on August 26, 2011

I’m not a fan of milk toast leadership. You know, the kind of politician that always has the smile, wants to tell you what you want to hear, rides the fence, and whose primary consideration is their own political preservation and aspirations. In boom times, these types only gag me like a nice glass of oily bilge water, but when we are in a crisis, these ineffective, self-absorbed, do nothing, offend no one type of politicians serve as nothing more than lead ballast in a sinking boat.

While it is true that I am consumed with highlighting when these types are deficient in their service as our elected or hired officials, I would be remiss if I did not draw attention to a few of the true leaders throughout our community that make a positive difference. Yes, believe it or not, among us are individuals with the characteristics of honesty, truth, practicality and whom put their community before their own self interest. Admittedly I may not always agree with them on every issue, but I do know where they stand, and to me that is more important than a smiling jackal who will tell me what I want to hear and then either do nothing, or worse do the opposite of what they promised.

So who are some of our local heroes? Let’s start with John Dick, Chairman of the Monroe County School Board. John has been serving since 2006 and has consistently been a vigilant fiscal watch dog, conducting his own research, and aggressively challenging the school administration for better service. John will look you in the eye and tell you the stark reality of any given situation, and more importantly let you know where he stands. I know there are people that vehemently dislike John. More than likely this is because John will discuss and make the hard choices that are needed, regardless of how popular such positions or rhetoric are. John’s been trying to save a sinking ship while other less useful School Board members vilify him.

Ron Saunders Endorses Department of Justice Investigation of Attorney General Pam Bondi (with the Ferocity of a Common House Gecko)

As originally run in Key West the Newspaper Aug 5, 2011 (With online Updates)
Matt Gardi Revisits the Latest in Foreclosure Fraud

If you have been looking for a distraction from the latest Surreality TV of the Debt Ceiling Debacle, otherwise known as how 535 grown adults and a President can’t do third grade math, look no further. It’s been a couple months since Key West the Newspaper published a six part series I penned on the foreclosure fraud crisis that our State and Nation are currently facing. If you recall, throughout the series I described the rampant fraud that began with the mortgage securitization process, examined the evasion of filing fees by banksters, and worked through robo-signing and the rubberstamping of questionable cases by Judges. Ultimately the series exposed how the process is destroying the rule of law and our title histories and effects each and everyone of us, whether we’re in foreclosure or not. You know, sort of a touching love story.

The series illustrated that the resultant clouded title histories will continue to erode confidence in our property values for decades. Decreasing property values then destroy net worth, and put more homeowners in a negative equity position, the prime reason people choose to walk away from their underwater mortgages. This only perpetuates the cruel and vicious cycle, which also is destroying our tax base, and causing budget shortfalls in so many of our local agencies. The entire series is still available on my blog at www.nakedconch.com.

The Tallahassee Two Step

As Originally Published in Key West the Newspaper July 15, 2011

I grew up in the middle of the energy crisis back in the 70’s when gas skyrocketed from around thirty five cents per gallon to well over a buck.  America was in a crisis.

I remember a conversation my Dad and I overheard while standing in line at the hardware store.  It seems “Mr. Green”  had found a solution to the high price of gas.  Apparently the adjacent town had an Esso station that was selling gas for five cents less per gallon than the Shell station in our town.  As we left the store I watched as Mr. Green drove off in his Chevy Impala the size of a barn.

I struggled to do the best math my seven year old head could muster.  If the next town was ten miles away, and Mr. Green’s car got twelve miles per gallon, it would mean Mr. Green was burning a couple of bucks in gas to save maybe a buck.  To me, something just didn’t add up.  Maybe there was a great deal on smokes too, who knows?   I was just a seven year old, and Mr. Green was an adult.

My parent’s solution was a ‘72 Toyota Corolla that got 34 miles per gallon.  My folks had traded in the station wagon with the tailgate you could play volleyball in for the car we affectionately called the grapefruit.  Supposedly for it’s color, but more for it’s size.  I fondly remember the ten hour trips to visit grandma with two adults, five kids and a dog piled into that car.  We did more with less and survived.

The Sunshine Flaw

As Originally Published in Key West the Newspaper June 24, 2011

I’m not a fan of the Sunshine Law.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love the intent of the Law, just not the law itself.  You see very often politicians in the interest of appearance “solve” a problem by creating legislation, then pat themselves on the back, give themselves accolades and add the accomplishment to their campaign rhetoric.  Regardless of whether or not they actually resolved the problem.

In the case of the Sunshine Law, who could argue with trying to stop public officials from conducting business behind closed doors, or working back room deals.  But as with many of these feel good laws it only serves to keep legal people legal.  Those intent on doing back room deals will continue to do so simply because the parties involved and benefiting from the meeting behind closed doors wouldn’t turn each other in.  It is also important to note that the legislature in all it’s great concern, exempted themselves from the law.  Go figure.

So what does that leave us with?  Those trying to abide by the law have to struggle with understanding it, abiding by it, and need to worry about the occasional minor slip up.  That slip up then becomes the fodder of political opponents, and a consumption of time for the State Attorney to diagnose.  In addition, the State Attorney has sponsored symposiums that only a handful of locally elected officials have attended, or even expressed interest in.

What a cataclysmic waste of time and resources.  However, if any politician had the courage to propose a change to it, it would be political suicide.  Imagine the simple minded headlines, “Gardi wants to promote back room deals!”   

Untangling the Foreclosure Mystery - Part 6

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Key West the Newspaper for providing me this forum to discuss the critical nature of this foreclosure mess over the last several weeks.  I hope at the very least I have been able to illustrate a reason to look beyond the headlines so that we all become a little more aware of these issues.  It is critical that we all understand how so many financial ailments find their root cause embedded in the intentional fraud devised and perpetrated by the too big to fail banks.  It is a layer cake comprised of mortgage fraud, fraud when the mortgages are securitized, and all topped off with a nice decorative icing of foreclosure fraud.

So now that we are in this mess, how do we get out of it?  First we have to stabilize property values by building confidence in our title histories.  The downward spiral  we are in only places more homeowners in a negative equity position, which is the primary cause of foreclosures, and this only perpetuates the cycle.  We need to do more than run articles of Real Estate agents screaming buy, buy, buy!!!

Our County Clerk needs to do an intensive reclassification of virtually every property in our County.  Not just those in foreclosure, but EVERY property.  Notices need to be sent out to every mortgage holder that if proper assignments have not been accurately recorded within a time specified period that all claim to the property beyond what is on file will be eliminated.  Any subsequent assignments need to be accompanied by copies of a properly transferred note, whose dates of transfer correlate with the mortgage assignments. Detailed documentation of the physical location of each note from inception to present needs to accompany these new filings.  These filings need to be reviewed in detail to detect any BS, and anything that even looks suspicious needs to be immediately referred to the State Attorney.

Untangling the Foreclosure Mystery - Part 5

Last week in Key West the Newspaper we began to review case 09-CA-471-K, a foreclosure case here in the 16th Judicial Circuit.  We highlighted some clearly questionable documents produced by the Law Firm Marshall C. Watson, on behalf of their Plaintiff Countrywide.  I also acknowledged that the case I began to describe in detail was my own.  However, it is also similar to countless other cases filed here in the Keys and throughout the State of Florida.

Let’s now take a look at how those in a position to address such egregious docs are handling the oversight of such cases.  First, Attorney General Pam Bondi.  She did recently fire Assistant Attorney General Erin Collins Cullaro for having “moonlighted” at a foreclosure mill law firm. (Who then went on to work for Shapiro and Fishman, another foreclosure mill under investigation.)  But what comes from these investigations?  In the instance of Bondi’s review of Marshall Watson it resulted in a two million dollar fine, and no admission of wrong doing.  That may sound like a lot, but remember this is one of the largest foreclosure mills out there, two million dollars is a drop in the bucket compared to their annual revenue.  It’s the cost of doing business.

Folks, these documents in many cases are potential felonies...countless in number, used to take possession of peoples homes, and that ultimately destroy YOUR property values by creating questionable title histories throughout our community.  No admission of wrong doing, and right back at it!!??  Why not jail time?  Bondi may as well be applying sun lotion to Marshall Watson’s back.

Untangling the Foreclosure Mystery— Part 4

As seen originally in Key West the Newspaper May 27, 2011

Commentary by Matt Gardi

The last few weeks, in this newspaper, I have made an attempt to expose what is truly going on in the foreclosure process, and how it ties back to a myriad of other systematic issues affecting our daily lives. Last week, we touched on the fact that the court system is incentivized directly by the Banks that have caused this crisis.

But I would be remiss if I did not mention the Foreclosure and Economic Recovery Plan, aka the “Rocket Docket.” In FY 10 -11, our legislature, (clearly influenced by the Banking lobby) devised the Rocket Docket to appoint retired Judges to reduce the backlog (grease the skids) of foreclosure cases by 62 percent during the fiscal year.

You might note that appointed retired Judges do not face the scrutiny of elections.

Here in the Keys, that duty has been assigned to Judge Sandra Taylor. Taylor has made an effort to proactively dismiss cases for lack of prosecution, but according to a report by the Office of State Courts Administrator, she only disposed of 23 cases in the first three months by dismissing them, while granting 100 Summary Judgements of Foreclosures. That is a four to one ratio in favor of the banks.

Again, allow me to remind you that defendants are not challenging most of these cases, and if a decent review of each case is not conducted, you may end up with a watershed of adverse consequences down the road, as per my commentary from last week. Attention to the documents in each case is essential to preserve the integrity of our title histories, and ultimately our property values, regardless of whether or not a defendant is present.

Untangling the Foreclosure Mystery - Part 3

As seen in Key West the Newspaper May 20, 2011

Over the last couple of weeks I have been sharing with you an ugly portrait of how almost every economic ailment we are faced with somehow ties back to bank fraud, and what has now morphed into foreclosure fraud.

I’ve described how the banks defrauded investors, destroyed the titles, evaded filing fees, and are now stealing houses. It affects everyone, and you should be irate not only with the banks, but with those responsible for maintaining the integrity of our system.

For example, when you hear about budget cuts at the school affecting your child’s education, it is traced back to tax base, and property values. Property values are traced back to confidence in title histories, which have been wantonly destroyed by the banks while our County Clerk has been asleep at the switch by allowing the banks to arbitrarily decide that they will now maintain land records.

Untangling the Foreclosure Mystery - Part 2

As seen in Key West The Newspaper May 13, 2011
Part Doo because this is where it really starts to stink, and we’re all stepping in it.

If you recall last week I began to unravel the foreclosure mess that is invariably affecting every one of us. I began this series of commentaries to discuss how all of the economic ailments you are hearing about lately are intimately entwined.

Property values, court budgets, pension funds, robo-signing, tax base, foreclosures, and bank fraud are all seamlessly linked together.

Last week I described how main stream media covers this crisis superficially, and never gets to the meat of the story, while only touching on foreclosure “paperwork issues” the banks are having, and thereby omitting the holy grail of systematic fraud.

I posed the question, “Why do the banks have to produce questionable documents to proceed with a foreclosure?” and “Why can’t the banks simply use the documents on file in the County Clerk’s Office to foreclose?”

I alleged rampant, intentional, widespread bank fraud is the reason, and I answered the questions above by suggesting that the banks intentionally destroyed original notes and mortgages. On purpose.

Untangling the Foreclosure Mystery - Part 1

As run in Key West the Newspaper May 6, 2011
How is it that so often I am reading a news article and find myself pleading with the reporter to ask the next question?

So often it seems reporters will just leave the story with one major disconnect that could put all the pieces of the puzzle together. That was the case again recently with an article regarding foreclosure in the Sunday Citizen. The worst part about it is that the story was just starting to scrape the surface of what very few journalists have been able to expound upon.

Granted, the reporter may have been limited by the confines of column inches, or the directive of editors telling him to be concise, but why can’t reporters just dig a smidgen deeper versus regurgitating the same old rhetoric about foreclosures that’s passed around the AP wire?

Fortunately, it’s why everyone should, and I do, love Key West the Newspaper. They are concerned about the truth, and making sure you know it. To that end they have provided me the opportunity, in a forthcoming series of articles, to provide an explanation of how it all ties together. In the next few weeks I hope to enlighten you on how bank fraud, your property values, everyone’s due process, our tax base, robosigning, court budgets, banks, Pam Bondi, the Florida Bar, real estate agents, overwhelmed judges, and market confidence all twist together like one large screw applied firmly to a certain part of your posterior anatomy— regardless of whether you are a homeowner, a pensioner, a taxpayer, or just someone who breaths oxygen—trust me you’re feeling it. Here’s the same old tired story from the main stream media:

Gardi Answers Boettger: Corporat Republicans? Puhhlease!

ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER Sept 24, 2010

NOTE: Matt Gardi ran
against Morgan McPherson for
the Republican nomination for
State Representative. He beat
McPherson in most of the lower
Keys precincts where both candidates
were best known, but
lost district-wide. McPherson,
whose funding came primarily
from out of district, outspent
Gardi more than ten to one, and
enjoyed unprecedented Republican
Party of Florida financial
support during the primary. As
a result, Gardi told the State and
County Republican leaders to
“stick it” and still took home 45
percent of the true Republican
vote in the District.

by Matt Gardi

I am compelled to respond
to Rick Boettger’s recent rants
against the national Republican
party. Why? Well because he
is spot on....of course. Now, I
can hear some of you saying...
what’s that, Matt? But...but,
you’re a Republican! Yes. Yes I
am, and a proud one at that.

I often agree with much
of what Rick says, and he has
my utmost respect when it
comes to being someone who
stands up to the system. I feel
he is dedicated to the cause of
informing the public about the
injustices within the machine.

But as much as I agree on his
points about the Republican
party, we do part ways on one
very fundamental component
of his argument. And while
it is only one component, it is
unfortunately so material that it
actually makes Rick a helpless
culprit in facilitating all that he
is ranting about.

Rick, seriously, do you
think that the national Democrats
are any less culpable of
the infractions that you assign
to Republicans? Now stop right
there! I don’t intend to stand toe
to toe and debate which party
is the more conspiring, which
party has more negative advertising,
which party is controlled
by wealthy elitists behind the
scenes calling the shots, which
party is facilitating more rewards
for it’s contributors, or
which party has greater heroes
or villains.

Nope, I won’t do it. Why?
Because if I do, I fall into “their”
trap, and become “their” tool.
Unfortunately that is exactly
what Rick has done. I don’t
blame him, it takes the greatest
concentration to break away
from the hypnotic influence of
the machine.

You see, Rick has fallen
prey to the left-right schism
that is created and refined by
those that truly own our government,
lock stock and barrel.

It’s a classic divide and conquer
methodology that keeps us all
busy pointing fingers at each
other, versus ransacking the
folks behind the curtain pulling
the levers and giving them one
seriously painful wedgie.

Listen, as much as anyone
might disagree, our government
is bought and paid for
by people who have no ethical
or moral compass, no concern
for right or wrong, nor even a
concern for America in general.
It’s all just a game to maintain
control, power, influence, and
the true wealth of this nation,
even in the midst of its deterioration.
They balance taking from
the producers, with distributing
to those in need solely to maintain
their respective support
base, all the while their only true
concern is who actually holds
the purse strings and doles out
the goods . . . after skimming
their take of course.

And it’s not just on the
national level; it permeates
every level of government,
right down to our municipal
commissions. It is those at the
most grassroots level that are
the most disheartening conscripts.
They put towing the line
of the State Party leaders over
the principle that their party is
supposed to represent--solely
for maintaining their positions
within the local control group
Local candidates and elected
officials fear speaking out
against the ruling kingmakers
for fear of losing party support
and financing. They, too,
become hapless tools of those
that control the system from top
to bottom.

Party officials are masters
at creating our heroes and villains
for us in order to keep us
distracted and pointing fingers.
Obama is the Democrat’s Bush.
As a Republican I could never
understand why Bush wouldn’t
reign in spending and the size of
government, and I watched us
give up our liberties in the name
of protection from terrorists.

Democrats are probably
just as puzzled as to why
Obama can’t end the wars, is
still paying Halliburton and has the same banking cartel advising
him that Bush did. Meet
the new boss, the same as the
old boss. You are delusional if
you think anything other than
that.

As someone who considers
himself a Republican, it
doesn’t mean I have to accept
the fact my party has been coopted
by frauds at all levels.

I’m a proud Republican because
I stand for small government,
low taxation, free enterprise,
and self-sufficiency. Democrats
I know and respect articulate
a hope of a society that takes
care of those that can’t take
care of themselves. Neither
of us would argue with each
other’s intention. Between us,
the only debate is how much
do you take, and how much
do you give as a government
and a society so that production
is maintained, the needy
are served, and dependencies
are not created.

When does government
support, control and protection
become an intrusion? That’s it
in a nutshell, one spectrum, and
one healthy discussion.

But ultimately, it is our
government, and those that are
in control of it and our party
structure that dictate the discussion.
They create the demons,
heroes and issues du jour that
keep us polarized and make us
lose sight of what is truly going
on in our country.

So long as they can fight
it out at the national, state, and
local level for the money, power,
control and influence without
having “us” disrupt their little
charade, they care neither about
us, nor our country. They
control and own our media, so
an outsider pointing out their
infractions is ostracized, and
marginalized.

They maintain the party
structure, the legislation, the
lobby groups, the 527s and campaign
finance, and thus control
the candidates, so much so that
what we feel are our choices,
are in fact nothing more than
puppets of their design. Unless
you’re one of the few that has
the time to dig into the morass
they create to figure out who
candidates and elected officials
actually owe their allegiance to,
you cast your vote assuming
you made a difference.

When no difference appears,
you lash out at the opposition,
and their corrupt ways...

just wait till we can vote them
out next time... just wait. How
dare they assail us? Where’s my
flag, where’s my lapel pin, get
me a sign to wave! And then,
when election day comes, we
celebrate because we transposed
the mirage for a short
period of time, until it becomes
painfully apparent that we must
demand change yet again. And
again. And again.

If you consider yourself
a Republican, don’t lash out
at Democrats; create a party
you can be proud of. Create a
party that will inspire others to
participate, one that can stand
on it’s merits and ideas, a party
that does not disenfranchise a
broad spectrum of participants.
If you’re a Democrat, do the
same.

Don’t tolerate the BS that
we all know goes on in both
parties; challenge it. If you consider
yourself a leader in your
party, whether it be as a party
official, candidate, or elected
official, realize the fight is for
what is right, not what is most
beneficial to the puppet masters
that have control of the system.
Stand up and be counted and
point your fingers at the appropriate
villain.

When the discussion is
between honest concerned
people about how much we
can tax ourselves, and how
much we can expect our government
to provide for us, and
not about how much our parties
can spend to buy an election or
denigrate an opponent, then . .
. then “we”— Democrats and
Republicans— have finally
won.

Rick, are you with me?