See who Irrevernet View likes/doesn’t like in all of Florida’s statewide and congressional races

By Chris Ingram

Florida’s Primary Election is fast approaching. Election Day is August 24th, but voters can request an absentee ballot and avoid lines and last minute excuses and vote from the comfort of home. Early voting at select polling locations begins August 9th and runs through August 21st.

With ballots already in the mail, it’s time for a quick assessment of the candidates. You can call these recommendations if you will, as “endorsement” seems a bit haughty.

In the Democrat Primary for U.S. Senate billionaire and friend of countless disgraced celebrities like Read the rest of this entry »

 The Diner, Part II

A political satire about the antics of Sam and Josh

By Chris Ingram

(5:12 p.m. In the heart of Brandon at “Sam’s Café” in walks Josh, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission)

(Josh sits down and a lovely waitress hands him a menu)

Josh: Good afternoon, I’m Josh. I’m meeting Sam at 1:00 p.m.

Waitress: (looking at her watch) It’s 5:15.

Josh: I know. But Sam doesn’t really respect my time, and he usually shows up really late.

Waitress: (nodding in understanding) Okay honey, what would you like today?

Josh: Hamburger Helper and some French fries please!

Waitress: (rolling her eyes) Oh, I remember you. You’re the kid running for Mayor or something, right?

Commission candidate Josh Burgin

Read the rest of this entry »

Education Just needs a good dose of Teacher Accountability. Right?

By Debra Cole

There’s a lot of talk these days about education reform. People want to blame the unions. Schools blame the parents.  The lack of morals and the need to “restore” us back to the “good ole days,” is a common theme. Others think we just need to throw more money at the problem. And then there’s the most common one, “We need teacher accountability.” Read the rest of this entry »

These people are a threat to your children’s future

By Chris Ingram

Politics is full of people good and bad. Unfortunately the system corrupts even many of the most well-intentioned public servants. Perks and privileges of office ranging from special security details for people 99 out of 100 of us couldn’t finger in a one-man lineup; to exemptions from laws they force upon the rest of us (like members of Congress getting a “free pass” from those ridiculous airport security screenings); to more free drinks and caviar dinners funded by special interest groups and lobbyists; to the sycophant staffers who lavish praise and worship on even the most inept elected officials. All these things take a toll on even the best among our elected officials. The perks and the ego-stroking make most of them forget their roots and what lead them to service in the first place.

Here in the Sunshine State we have more than our fair share of those who could be deemed “most dangerous.” For the purpose of this column, “most dangerous” means those who are so totally out of touch with right and wrong that they are a threat to the American way of life and the next generation. Read the rest of this entry »

Time to make a choice

By John Wehrung

Here’s the choice for GOP voters as we enter the last two weeks of the Governor’s race: Do you go with Rick Scott, the lanky entrepreneurial outsider with a toothy polished–skull, a fresh business approach to fixing government and the heavy (albeit singular) baggage of $1.7 billion in Medicare fraud? Read the rest of this entry »

From County Commission to Soil and Water Conservation District — we make recommendations for them all (and yes there is such a thing as Soil and Water Conservation District!)

By Chris Ingram

Like most voters in Florida, Hillsborough County voters (home to Irreverent View) has a number of local Primary elections on the ballot on August 24th.  While Election Day is August 24th, voters can request an absentee ballot and avoid lines and last minute excuses and vote from the comfort of home. Early voting at select polling locations begins August 9th and runs through August 21st.

With ballots already in the mail, it’s time for a quick assessment of the candidates. You can call these recommendations if you will, as “endorsement” seems a bit haughty.

In County Commission District 1, it is no surprise among those who know me that I am supporting Trey Rustmann. Rustmann and I have been friends for some time, and when he decided to run for the seat asked me to help him which I gladly obliged. Now that “full-disclosure” is out of the way, let me tell you why I like Trey. First and foremost, he is Read the rest of this entry »

…only you get dumped after Election Day

By Mike Matteo 

So far today I have seen six political ads on television, have been called by two opinion research poll companies and had four recorded announcements by candidates who are running in the primaries.  And it’s not even noon on a Monday!  As I sat back and began feeling overwhelmed by the all this undeserved attention it made me realize that running for office is a lot like dating someone who possesses ulterior motives.  But even women who have sought relationships with me haven’t given me as much attention as the candidates who are obviously obsessed with my vote. Normally I should be flattered by all the attention but, Read the rest of this entry »

(and he’s a trial lawyer…)

By Rod Brooker

The simultaneous earthquake and hurricane in East Hillsborough County was in fact the sound of 50,000 jaws dropping, followed by howls of fury that a homosexual judge, seated in the Land of Fruits and Nuts, had knocked down a California measure that forbade homosexuals to marry.  We’re not talking about this civil union crap.  We’re talking the Real Thing here.  Read the rest of this entry »

The McCollum Campaign is taking on water and there isn’t a bucket in sight

By Jamie Miller

Have you ever heard the saying, “I’m so poor I don’t have a bucket to spit in or a window to throw it out of?”

The Bill McCollum campaign must be waking up this morning having that feeling of despair.  They can’t win for losing, and losing, and losing. After Friday’s court decision from the 11th District Court of Appeals, it seems almost inevitable that August 24 will be Bill McCollum’s last day with his name on the ballot.

Bill McCollum wants tax $ to run his failing campaign.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dignitaries and common-folk pay respects to a Tampa statesman

By Chris Ingram

An over-flow crowd of people from all walks of life attended funeral services for LeRoy Collins, Jr. at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in Tampa today.

Dignitaries attending the service included Governor Charlie Crist, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, former Governor Bob Martinez, and former Congressman Mike Bilirakis.

But of more significance than those dignitaries in attendance Read the rest of this entry »