John Shaw
Republican Candidate - Florida Senate
Making a Difference Through Honesty and Communication
The following is an actual email conversation between myself and an elderly gentleman of this district on about 09/25/2010. His real name has been omitted to protect his privacy, but the rest is verbatim:
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Mr. Shaw,
I am a registered republican however I do not vote the party ticket. Looking at your web site I see you are advocating the growing of hemp in Florida. It is my understanding this is against federal law. I do not find your arguments convincing that hemp growing will do this state any good. I believe growing hemp in Florida would cause more problems than solutions. For this reason I cannot support you in your goal to be my senator.
George Smith
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Hello George, and thank you for taking the time to write and share your opinion. Feedback is very important, so I hope we can continue a conversation.
I am interested in your thoughts as to why you think growing hemp would not be a good idea. I have not heard a single argument against the idea, so perhaps you can break that streak by sharing a valid point.
Looking forward to your response,
John Shaw
Constitutional Republican
Candidate for the Florida State Senate, District 6
Tallahassee, Florida
http://www.johnshaw.org
john@johnshaw.org
850-566-7013
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Mr Shaw,
Thank you for your quick reply. Wanting to submit a sound answer to you regarding hemp I turned to the internet. What I gleaned there makes my thoughts concerning hemp completely false, I apologize.
With that behind us, I still view growing hemp a distant endeavor due to the federal government. Your web page dealt only with the hemp issue and there are many more issues facing Florida. To name a few; Immigration, taxes, education, second amendment, and lastly the recently passed septic tank inspection law. I would like to know more of what your positions are on these and any others you would share with me.
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Good evening George. I hope you’re having a good weekend.
I appreciate you taking the time to check out some more info about hemp online. I humbly admit, though, I’m a little confused as to what you might have read elsewhere on the internet about hemp that wasn’t already made expressly clear on the front page of my website. All in good humor, I have a sneaking suspicion you might not have read any of my “unconvincing arguments,” and instead simply saw the word “hemp” and gave up on me right then and there.
My suspicion is unfortunately deepened by the fact that I actually address three of the five issues you mention – taxes, gun control, and immigration – at the very top of the page if you click on the “Issues” link on my website.
As far as education goes, I think there needs to be less administration, more vouchers, and more accountability with regards to where exactly our tax dollars go. The “class size” issue was ostensible. If we are going to have a public school system, I think we need to keep it competitive. I want to see teachers getting paid more, and if that means getting rid of the overhead, so be it. Superintendents make between $104,000 to $367,000 in the state of Florida. That’s ridiculous.
Speaking of which – my opponent, Bill Montford, who happens to be the CEO of the School Superintendent Association of Florida, has no “issues” section at all on his website. (http://www.billmontford.com)
In fact, it seems the only thing he ever really talks about is education, and yet, he does not seem to receive the same accusation I receive of being a “one issue” candidate. It’s quite frustrating.
I am against the septic tank law. The last thing we need is for homeowners – who are already getting hammered with property taxes – to be forced to undergo more mandatory evaluations at their expense.
Good day to you sir,
John Shaw
Constitutional Republican
Candidate for the Florida State Senate, District 6
Tallahassee, Florida
http://www.johnshaw.org
john@johnshaw.org
850-566-7013
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Mr Shaw
Your suspicion is well founded, I did not look at your Issues link. Since you have brought it to my attention I can say I have read it.
I did look at Mr Montfords website - no issues listed - I looked hard at his.
You may be correct, the word hemp may have clouded my vision. I am a member of a time when one marijuana butt would have gotten you 20 years in prison. After 35 years in the criminal justice field I do not condone drug usage in any form.
In conclusion I can say you represent most of my values and you can count on two votes from the Smiths'.
George
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