[...That message has filtered down to local politics. There is now a take-back movement in Sarasota County -- where moderate Republicans have, so far, long maintained political power and managed to keep a community consensus in favor of environmental protection, land-use regulations, public education and the use of public funds to promote the arts and support social services, all of which are targets of arch-conservatives and Libertarians.
{A}ccording to reports by the Herald-Tribune's Jeremy Wallace, the person with the most support was Walt Augustinowicz. "We need to get back control of our government," Augustinowicz said in favor of his own candidacy.
Now, this is the same guy who ran -- under the Libertarian banner -- against a Republican for state House of Representatives in 2004. He lost that election, just as he and a small group he founded lost in their attempt to prevent an extension of a special public-school tax in Sarasota County.
Despite the group's efforts, the tax extension was approved by more than two-thirds of voters this spring -- a strong demonstration of the will of the people, or at least those who voted.
Even though some of the people now in office supported laws or measures that have drawn criticism or lack majority support in opinion polls, it is disingenuous to claim that they are the ones disregarding the will of the people. At least "they" were elected....
This country, this state and this county don't belong to any political party, its subsidiaries or individuals elected to office or seeking an appointment.
This country, this state and this county belong to us. All of us.
So, take back all that "taking back" nonsense.] emphasis added
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100926/COLUMNIST/9261025/2324/OPINION?p=1&tc=pg
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