Brazilian Tourism

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Florida's government is run by sales tax. By design, this makes tourism the engine of our state. We have a group of people who very much want to visit our country. Instead of inviting them in with open arms we throw up road blocks. There are only 4 consular offices? This has to stop. This is the type of regulation that does need to be reviewed and hopefully removed. If not, we run the risk of these kids going elsewhere.

Also, keep in mind why they are coming here in the first place. Yes, Florida is an awesome place with fun things to do but Brazil isn't exactly Eastern Europe during the USSR days. They come here to buy our products! They want American made stuff! They come here because of high tariffs.Yes, Brazil probably imposes these just as much as the US but has there been any movement on this? Today the President announced he was sending long due trade agreements to Congress. These trade agreements are with South Korea, Columbia, and Panama. The agreement with South Korea only is supposed to create so much demand for America goods that 70,000 jobs will manifest. South Korea has a GDP of 1.5 trillion US dollars. Brazil has a roughly equal GDP of 2.1 trillion. While this is not a simple substitution, a trade agreement would create many thousands of jobs. Luckily, there is a committee in place to sign just such a trade agreement.


Further, Brazil is growing in power. And they are not big fans of the US. The nation constantly circumvents our attempts to exert our will on other nations. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it does give us another reason to open the doors to their young people. If their future politicians have fond memories of their days in Florida and the people they met, perhaps they will think twice before exercising the UN Security Council Veto power they will most likely receive permanently in the next 20 years.

Please, support efforts to lower both trade and tourist restrictions with Brazil. Globalization has proved to be the most potent weapon in the US's arsenal over the last couple decades. Brazil could be the next Japan or the next China. The choice is ours.

Should the US have killed al-Awlaki?

As you may or may not know, the US recently killed al-Awlaki in a targeted airstrike. Again, as you may or may not know, he was an American citizen. While his involvement in numerous killings is not in question, should he have been assassinated?

The quick answer is yes. Indeed, it is a strong yes. This man posed a real threat to America and her allies. He counseled the Ft. Hood shooter and the failed Times Square bomber. From an American perspective the world is a better place without him. However, give it some thought.

He was an American citizen. He was targeted by the CIA with directions to kill or capture. This action was approved by the President. In secret meetings he was deemed a threat to the US. His crime? He gave hateful speeches about the US and, as said, encouraged and helped others to kill. While if I were on his jury I would be voting to hang him, that is my point. He didn't get a jury. He didn't get due process.

"So what?" you may ask. He was an evil man. True. However, it is from obvious times like this that murky precedents emerge. What is there to stop the President from sending troops to mow down the nutty militia folks you see on TV?

These are not the actions of a president of a country that adheres to a rule of law. These are the actions of king in an absolute monarchy. These are the actions of Hosni Mubarak. The ends do not and cannot justify the means if America expects to lead by example.