Chan Lowe: Rick Scott calls on a higher power
What was this guy thinking? The biggest Republican party event of the season, five days before the primary, and not only doesn’t he bother to appear, he sends his mother instead?
It sounds like our dilettante billionaire has decided that running for governor of Florida is no longer a fun hobby, now that his numbers have dropped behind Bill McCollum’s in the latest polls.
Maybe he’s taken his bat and ball and moved on to some other indulgence, like buying a small Central American republic for a personal playground.
Assuming he goes on to lose the Republican nomination this Tuesday, one is left to wonder what benefits the $30 million he spent on his ego might have wrought, had it been given to charity.
All over Florida, there might have been Rick Scott pantries to feed the hungry, Rick Scott community programs to keep kids in school and off drugs, Rick Scott shelters for the homeless.
Instead, all that will linger of Rick Scott in Florida’s collective consciousness are some titters of laughter and a smattering of polite applause as we recall his poor mother standing there in his place and telling a disappointed crowd that her no-show son was once an Eagle Scout.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
That $30M has still been set free from Mr. Scott's investment accounts and put into circulation across Florida. Perhaps a charity would have been more direct and gratifying, but the money is out there and hopefully being spent by the lucky recipients so there will be more lucky recipients.
He sure had some really well produced commercials. But after about the 200th time having to listen to them whenever you want to see the news, it sure comes off like a lot of whining. It went from wow, maybe this guy really has something to say to wow, this guy is a jerk. Just bitch and moan, bitch and moan.
Posted by: PeterO | August 20, 2010 9:42 PM
I have to admit, Mr. Lowe is right on this one.
Posted by: JamesLove | August 20, 2010 10:08 PM
Rick Scott made his own fortune. He believes in our system. He can spend it anyway he desires. I would rather have someone who has made his lot in life as a public servant than one coming up in the system with beholdings-like his opponent. If you like our government in Florida and want it to continue-Bill M is your man. If you want change-choose a true outsider. A brilliant businessman who grew the largest hospital system ever-in one of the toughest businesses ...healthcare. So after clobbering Hillarycare he couldn't watch everybody at Columbia and he wanted to fight it. His Board said no and released him. I am OK with that. An Eagle Scout, a self made millionaire. A successfull marriage-what...38 years is it? Yeah, none of the politicians like the outsider. I'll sure vote for him-and if your smart and want true change in our government, you should too!
Posted by: smart guy | August 21, 2010 1:02 AM
Mr. Scott only threw away his 30million that he saved not paying his fair share of taxes. Have Mr. Scott and every rich person pay his fair amount of taxes I guarantee your that he would not throw away these millions. Why support charities and extra IRS forms to lower taxes when he is already not paying his share without him inconveniencing his accountant.
Just read in the Times about a rich banker and other that are buying $100,000+ fish tank and fish. Again, If these people were tax at the pre Reagan tax rate of 65% then it would be a different story. Now every poor person actually believe the lie that tax breaks for the rich create jobs.. Which jobs? Its true what the elite and wealthy say, that we know only what the teach us and we are ignorant. Sad state of affairs we are in these times. Poor celebrating the rich and the rich celebrating the rich.
Posted by: Gefilte Fish | August 23, 2010 6:54 PM