From the editor

Governor Charlie Crist. Has anybody ever been so in love with the desire to be liked? That is the only conclusion that I can draw after he made his infamous remark in reaction to the warnings from insurers about the state of Florida's homeowners' market. “When these companies threaten us with this 'We're-going-to-leave-the-state stuff, we say, 'Go ahead,'” said Crist. “We don't need that kind of business operating in Florida.” In my experience, that is the most immature statement I have ever heard uttered by a serious policymaker. To treat the millions of Florida homeowners as your own personal marble that you're going to pick up and take home, is ludicrous. It is a statement that comes from someone who is in love with his own press clippings and mistakes a 77 percent approval rating as proof you've done the right thing. Most politicians understand the difference between campaigning and governing, but evidently Charlie missed the memo.

Let's face it; it is easy to be popular. We all learned it in the first grade when we sat in the front of the class, raised our hand in response to every question, and brought a steady supply of shiny apples to adorn our teacher's desk. But there is a difference between being class president and being the governor of the fourth-largest state in the union. The decisions that have to be made and the impact that they will have on peoples' lives is a tremendous responsibility and must withstand the tests of tomorrow.

As a rule, I frown on comparing one politician to another since each individual must confront different problems. But it's hard not to compare Crist's actions with Governor Jeb Bush. Bush was arrogant and vindictive, and he straddled the state with a burning ego. But he was a student of the issues. Whether it was medical malpractice, workers' compensation, or homeowners' insurance, he understood how the markets worked.

He believed that private industry was the answer and that the markets were best served by getting government out of the way. His level of dialogue also made the legislature raise its game above the sorry spectacle exhibited by the class of 2006.

Crist swept into Tallahassee as the self-proclaimed “People's Governor” with the mandate to reduce insurance premiums. As mandates go, it had validity and deserved the full attention of policymakers. But while mandates express the will of the people, it is still up to the policymakers to exercise their collective judgments and protect the long-term welfare of the state's citizens. And I have yet to hear an explanation of how what amounts to an unfriendly takeover of the property market by the government is going to serve the public in the long term. Plus, this year's property bill smells of hypocrisy.

Does anyone really think the current administration and legislature will stand their ground and make policyholders pay Citizens, the Cat Fund, and FIGA assessments that could double or triple their premiums for years? No, they will buckle under the public pressure and bail themselves out by imposing additional sales tax, lottery money, or some other form of general revenue. If you don't believe that, just remember how the 2005 legislature came up with $715 million in general revenue dollars to help offset Citizens' assessments.

Crist declared after the session that the latest property bill was the “nail in the coffin” of the state's private homeowners' market. What Crist has forgotten is who is in the coffin. It may take time, but insurers always find a way to invest their capital and, yes, they are going to make money doing it. And if it's not in Florida, so be it. That's the nail Charlie, so you better enjoy your time on the playground while it lasts.