Conclusive proof: Rick Scott is an asshole!

[Fritz Walter]

Attacking a constituent through a PAC's web video is bad enough.

Now Florida's governor Rick Scott's loading of state commissions with cronies whose conflicts of interest are glaringly obvious. For instance, take a look at what the Orlando Sentinel wrote about John Miklos, chairman of the St Johns Water Management District.

He's the chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management District, the environmental agency that does everything from determine how much of Central Florida's dwindling water supply companies can use to who can turn wetlands into housing developments in 18 counties in central and northeast Florida.

His agency also tells you how often you can water your lawn and levies taxes on your home — about $45 a year if you have a $200,000 home.

Here's something else you should know about Miklos: He makes money — $155 an hour in one case — representing businesses and companies that need things from the district.

Yes, Miklos owns a private business. And part of his business is offering clients the chance to pay him to help them get things from the very government agency he helps run.

Most recently, the Daytona Beach News-Journal discovered that the city of DeBary is paying Miklos' firm, Bio-Tech Consulting Inc., $38,600 — with Miklos personally making $155 an hour — to help the city get things like a "permit modification" from the district … which Miklos chairs.

That stinks.

It may also sound familiar. This is how it all started with the expressway authority.

Gov. Scott appointed a consultant who did business with the toll-road agency to help run the toll-road agency. It was an obvious conflict.

I said so. Local watchdogs said so.

But that consultant wanted to stay. And the governor vowed to "keep an eye" on him.

Three years later, the consultant was indicted and sentenced to prison. The entire expressway authority was then disbanded.

Past certainly isn't always prologue. For one thing, Miklos says he scrupulously adheres to ethics rules. For another, Florida's ethics laws are weaker than a virgin daiquiri.

Fresh water is going to be the next natural resource over which wars will be fought. And Gov. Voldemort is making sure that his corporate buddies rape, pillage and plunder the environment to their shriveled, blackened heart's content.

If Scott is an asshole, his political appointees are the hemorrhoids that surround that orifice.

[oldandhappy]

1. never any question about that, smile.

[HassleCat]

2. Jess doin a little bidniss

This is traditional in the south, and spreading to the rest of the country.

[2naSalit]

3. Water wars

have been a time honored tradition in the west since the ranchers and miners showed up out here. They are still going on.

[Fritz Walter]

4. Shooting wars?

This shit's going to be downright apocalyptic as the have-nots go after the haves.

[2naSalit]

5. Yes, shooting wars

over water in the west... been going on since the white folks showed up.