Open Thread
OK, you wanted us to open a new thread. Here it is. We are closing the thread on “It’s Your Nickel”. It was getting a bit long. We’ll save the use of your page down button.
Go to it with anything that is on your mind: replacements for Commissioner Kesselring (now that we know he will not run again), your property tax bill, your home insurance premiums, potholes, zero-based county budgets (that’s getting some good discussion on another thread) Randy Harris’ future, how is Commissioner Fitos doing (or not), suspension of the State’s death penalty, political New Years resolutions, continue discussion about E-One, etc.
Click on and answer our Straw Poll questions about zero-based budgeting and E-One potentially leaving Ocala:
http://www.insitefulsurveys.com/Survey.asp?SI=367712712224
Housing Market: Boom or Bust?
“Agent” has raised a very good point on another thread concerning the possible bursting of the local housing market bubble. This could have ramifications to our local economy in several ways.Give us your thoughts on what you see happening:
What do you think might happen to the housing market next year, and what could be the impact on our local economy?
Charity Giving: Who Does It?
As we are into the Christmas season of caring about and giving to others, here is something interesting (as a bit of a diversion to other topics):A new book called "Who Really Cares?" concludes (supported by facts) conservative Americans give 30 percent more money to charity than liberal Americans. Also, religious people give up to four times more money to charity than secular people.The difference isn’t caused by economics. A map in the book shows the wealthier states like California and New York are below average in charitable giving, while poorer states like Mississippi and New Mexico are above average.Why this big difference in giving? Tell us what you think.Also, vote in our current Straw Poll on the subject: http://www.insitefulsurveys.com/Survey.asp?SI=934639912194P.S.: We still have some interesting blogging going on in a couple of the threads below this one. Scroll down and add your point of view.
