Gov. Scott to Voters: Never Mind

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Gov. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was one of those tea party stars whom voters believed had the courage of his convictions when he promised, as recently as last summer, to block The Affordable Care Act in his state. But last week, writes the Orlando Sentinel, "Scott made an abrupt about-face, embracing a three-year expansion of Medicaid coverage for about 1 million low-income Floridians that will be paid for by the health care law."

Scott said, "I think this is a common-sense solution to dealing with this for the next three years where it will give us the time to think about how we can improve the system." Sounding like a Democrat, he added that the state is obligated to help "the poorest and weakest among us." No, governor, charities and religious bodies are obligated to help the weak and poor. State and federal governments have no such obligation. To claim they do empowers bureaucrats and politicians who are having a difficult enough time fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities. It also undermines the work ethic.

After (borrowed) federal money runs out in three years, Florida will be expected to kick in some cash and carry on with the funding. Scott says his commitment is only for those three years, but as Ronald Reagan once wryly observed, "...a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!"

Scott, whose favorability rating was 36 percent in a December Quinnipiac University poll, is clearly looking at his vulnerability in next year's election. Apparently, he thinks sounding more like a Democrat will convince voters to give him another term in office. Perhaps he thinks the tea party votes he is likely to lose will be made up for with purchased votes from those who will line up at the federal ATM.

Scott is a former health care executive. The health care industry has spent millions lobbying to influence health care reform legislation, including Medicaid. They also are the largest employer in many states. Should Scott lose next year's election, taking federal Medicaid money won't hurt his chances of a high-paying position in his former profession.

The Orlando Sentinel examined Scott's rapid turnaround on other issues dear to conservative hearts. It said he "...has barely looked like the same guy who ran for governor in 2010" and cited examples. After large initial budget cuts, Scott "...proposed the largest budget in state history and said his top priority was a $2,500 raise for teachers, whom he infuriated during his first year in office by passing a merit-pay law while cutting education spending by $1.3 billion."

Scott has also said nothing in several months about illegal immigration. He once pledged to back an Arizona-style immigration law that would require police to check the legal status of people they suspected were illegal. He has since backed away from this pledge.

Slade O'Brien, the Florida director of the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, told the Sentinel he was "flabbergasted" by Scott's decision, saying it went beyond even his budget proposal that didn't cut spending and the teacher pay raises. "For the governor to reverse that position, I felt incredibly shocked and so did many of his base," he said.

A few Republican governors have turned down federal money to expand Medicaid in their states. So far, Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas) is not one of them. Last week he made his intentions clear when he said, "We're not going to be expanding Medicaid in Texas. The reason is because it's a broken system. It's moving our state -- and I'll just speak to our state -- towards bankruptcy if we expand the current program."

As for Gov. Scott's turnabout, a paraphrase of the wisdom Forest Gump's momma gave him might fit: Politicians are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get until after they're elected.

Maybe Florida will just have to start collecting income tax like the rest of the benevolent states do.

Forest was a fictional critter.

The real Nancy-bitch, queen of the world's scummiest house, made the point correctly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV-05TLiiLU

Dont forget...Scott also supported Al Sharpton, New Black Panthers, and all the Black KKK in the lynch job on George Zimmerman.

And there were still people apologizing with Scott after he sided w the Black KKK on this. Did nothing when the Wanted Posters “Dead or Alive” were being distributed against Zimmerman

Rick Scott will need to be primaried. If not, he will lose to Charlie Crist (running as a Dem) in 2014. I will definitely vote Third Party Conservative if Scott is the R nominee...and I will make life miserable for PhonyCons who will support Scott because of the “R” next to his name

At least he killed High Speed Rail. Think of what our property taxes would become. 3 years of Medicade expansion? Free money for 3 years? Right Rick.

You also need to remember that the low info voters south of Gainsville voted to keep it. It was on the ballot to out law it and was blocked.

You’ll recall that Scott barely squeaked by Sink in 2010. Given his shenanigans since the election, I don’t see him returning to the Governor’s mansion in 2014.

Oh, no! You’re not going to vote for him even though there’s an “R” after his name? All you’ll be doing is helping elect a democrat! The horror! (sarc)

They way I look at it I’m electing a democrat whether I vote for one or vote for a republican. Scott and many others prove it daily.

What is the governor thinking, the million getting free medical coverage will never vote for him but the millions who will have to wait longer for care (if they can find a doctor) will hate his guts.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.