Florida

[steve2470]

Why are so many of my state's residents so weird ?

Here's my theories:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024614313#post42

Florida is my state. I've lived here forever. Yes, a lot of weird stuff happens here. The national media makes sure everyone knows it now. Is Florida "weirder" than California or Texas or New York ? Possibly it is.

I'd say Florida deserves some measure of sympathy. You combine warm weather, no state income taxes, fairly low property taxes, liberal bankruptcy laws, a not-so-great educational system (I think our university system is at least average if not above average), tourism as the largest employer, our history in the Confederacy, and , our reputation as a place to reinvent yourself and/or hide, and VOILA...you get a sick culture. Oh and yes, we're thoroughly dominated currently by the Republican Party.

All this really got kicked into high gear after the 2000 presidential election, with hanging chads and the Brooks Brothers riot, etc.

Yes, yes, Floridians need to make it better. Or move.

and...


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023529868#post7

Florida has one of the highest rates of "transience" of any state

It's right up there with California. Transience, from what I've read, tends to foster anonymity and the evils that can bring. It's definitely harder in many parts of Florida to establish lasting social structures. People come and go so often in this state, especially if you live in Orlando or another major population area.

I'm definitely not excusing heinous conduct, but I think the sheer volume of transience in this state breeds behavior that, say, Iowa does not encounter. Many people move here and then leave within 5 years or so. Some, of course, put down permanent roots. Some are trying to escape their problems "up north" and come to Florida, only to get disillusioned and leave. Florida also has no state income tax, lower property taxes and a very generous bankruptcy allowance (you can keep your million dollar home in a personal bankruptcy).

Florida definitely has its issues.

I should probably work for the Florida Chamber of Commerce lol Yes, I'm joking.

[KamaAina]

1. They've been reading too much Carl Hiaasen?

[steve2470]

2. oh yea forgot that :) nt

[kairos12]

3. Carl's characters now seem normal compared with the

popcorn shooter, crazy guv, and nut jobs in the legislature today.

A concerned Gator.

[OriginalGeek]

4. I'd vote for Skink.

[steve2470]

5. Deputies: Massive meth ring had voodoo advisor

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strange/floriduh-blog/sfl-flduh-drug-ring-voodoo-20140319,0,1508418.story

Curses! Voodoo spells trouble for this gang.

In addition to distributors and street dealers, a multi-million dollar meth pipeline from Mexico that supplied meth to Central Florida employed a voodoo priest to help guide them, deputies involved in 'Operation Hoodoo Voodoo' said, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

After an earlier bust, ringleaders asked the priest if it was OK to continue. The priest advised them to lay low, not because of the cops, but because of somebody in their organization, according to the report.

It indeed was the police, according to the Sheriff's Office.

[steve2470]

6. near the bottom in mental health funding

http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/smha-expenditures-per-capita/