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Well, well, well…. It's election time again in the Sunshine State. It's been a short two years since the last time we went to the polls. If I remember correctly, nothing out of the ordinary really happen or did it?

This time around is the mid-term election. We will vote for Governor and many other important posts in the US Congress as well as in local legislature. Judges and School Board candidates will be chosen as well. It is indeed, America and our democracy at it's best… or is it?

Here in Florida, we are expecting to have a very close race for governor with President Bush's brother Jeb, running for his second term as the highest-ranking official in the state against Democrat Bill McBride.

Once again, it's all business as usual right? Think again! This is Florida… the rules are different here!

Borrowing from the phrase used in the 1980's tourism campaign, its verbiage cannot be farther from the truth. This year's ballot is the longest in Florida history. It is also difficult to understand as well, even when reading it carefully.

Just like in previous years, this election has other things to vote than just candidates. The constitutional amendments and or other public measures add up to more than half of the ballot. In fact, half of these measures make me wonder how they got to be there in the first place.

Let's take for instance initiative #6 about the health hazards of second hand smoking by prohibiting smoking in the work place. Unless you live under a rock and have slept like Rip Van Winkle for the last 20 years, you have to know of the hazards of second hand smoking.

The law states that it will protect those who work indoors. Even though, I agree to do something about smoking in the work place, I feel that this matter belongs to the companies and individuals, not the government. Bureaucrats should not be allowed to tell anybody, whether you should smoke or not, much less at your job.

Constitutional Amendment #8 is another one that should ring bells in your head. This is the one that plans to give every 4 year old in Florida a high quality pre-kindergarten by 2005. The key is not to take away any funds for existing educational, health and development. The reality is that even though I feel everyone should get the opportunity for an education, it should not be veiled like, free day-care for half the day.

Keeping with the education theme, Constitutional Amendment #11 it is just simply politicians doing what they do best, make layers and layers of fluff. Creating a governing board to manage the state's university system is not only wrong; it's just plain silly. According to the proposal, the boards will comprise of 13 local members dedicated to the excellence in education.

In addition to them, a 17-member board will be held accountable for the coordination and accountability of the state's university system. Its main mandate is to avoid wasteful duplication of facilities and programs. If passed, I suggest eliminating this amendment and the board members as well. Our universities not need to be run by politically run boards.

I saved the best for last. For those who got bored and left the article half way, shame on you. This is totally un-freaking believable. You will enjoy this last couple of paragraphs for sure.

Amendment #10 or the SAVE THE PREGNANT PIGS AMENDMENT is about as idiotic as what it reads. Don't get me wrong; I feel for the poor pigs that while already being fat and over-weight have deal with being pregnant and have to live in small cages. But you know what: THEY ARE PIGS! For crying out loud!

Should they have to live in small cages, perhaps not? Should this even be on a ballot? I don't think so. What is next: dogs not leaving pleasantries on the sidewalks? Alligators prohibited from visiting people's swimming pools. If anything, there ought to be a Constitutional Amendment negating pigeons crapping everyone's cars.

Well that's all I have to say about the elections as I finish my sandwich from Bubbalous, I want to remind you to vote next Tuesday. It really does not matter for whom you vote as long as you do vote. If you don't, please don't bitch about a thing. Remember that on the last election, every vote counted. Are we still the laughing stock of the nation, you bet.

Just VOTE!

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