Maybe we can turn this “eminent domain for private gain” thing into a force for good, not evil.

How about condemning those Riviera Dunes view-blockers going up along the river in Palmetto and putting in a nice trailer park for working families?

Then there’s Anna Maria Island, where the condomites seem to feel they and only they have the right to put up anything new. Why not take their properties away and put in some decent motels and restaurants?

Everybody eats. One feature of successful downtowns and popular shopping areas is lots of places to buy food. I’ve heard executives discuss potential office locations in terms of what restaurants are nearby. I’ve watched people shop for homes. “What’s the grocery shopping like around here?” is a frequent question. Antique stores and art galleries are nice, but food is a daily necessity. This is why I’m presenting my personal list of the kinds of food-oriented businesses downtown Bradenton needs if it’s ever going to become a place people go to instead of a place people drive through:

The problem with the Democratic Party right now is that its primary mission seems to be demonizing Republicans. Its basic pitch has become, “Vote against the Republican candidate because he or she is evil,” not, “Support Democrats because we will give you better, more efficient government.” I see this problem at all levels, from national down to (Florida) state to (Manatee County) local party politics. I am at the point where I wonder if I wouldn’t do better registering as a Republican so I can vote against the worst candidates in primaries than staying registered as a Democrat in an area where there are often no Democratic candidates for important local offices, especially when local Democratic leaders seem to spend more time arguing with each other than coming up with forward-looking campaign strategies.