Gee Thanks

The government of the great state of Florida has spent the last several weeks working overtime, mostly in intense debate, trying to come up with a plan to make property taxes in the state more bearable for residents, who have seen their home values and tax rates on an out of control upward trend for the past several years. And the solution they have offered is still pretty hotly contested, and will, at least in part, be left up to the voters to decide the issue. But they are remaining suspiciously silent on the greatest cause for concern for most Florida families, which is the skyrocketing cost of homeowners insurance. A great many insurance companies pulled out of Florida altogether following the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. This after years of sitting back, raking in cash by the boat load, and paying out next to nothing. And the ones that stayed, have jacked up prices to outrageous levels, leaving many Florida residents wondering if they can still afford to live here, and a great many others have already decided they can't and moved on to greener pastures. Those who have been "fortunate" enough not to have been dropped by their insurer, have seen their rates double on the low end, and some have even had their rates triple or more. How are people supposed to pay bills like that? Somebody, somewhere must be under the impression that all people who live in Florida are rich, and won't miss the money. They couldn't be more wrong. I guess this is, at least somewhat, related to what I was talking about yesterday. Greed. Insurance companies are greedy. I understand that they are a business and need to make money, but how about making a little less money, and doing the right thing for a change. Give the little guy a break why don't you? It won't be long before nobody can bear up under the burden, and then what? Does Florida become a ghost town from coast to coast as there is a mass exodus to more friendly financial climates? Only time will tell. For now, I'd like to hear some Florida Lawmakers start making a big deal out of what is the biggest deal on most of our minds.