We want to wish all our listeners and all our sponsor's a Happy Thanksgiving and a GREAT start to the holiday season. At WakeUpDaytona! we are truly thankful for each and every one of you.

WakeUpDaytona! is supporting a number of FOOD DRIVES in Volusia County. Here are locations to drop off your food items.

115 N. Palmetto St. (WNDB Studios) 7-5 pm daily (*except Thanksgiving Day). 386-257-1150

201 University Blvd. (Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church) 386-255-0433 Contact: Luke Miller.

Halifax Urban Ministries Harvest Food Drive (together with Regions Bank and PODS of Daytona Beach). WEEKENDS ONLY.

- Regions Bank, 607 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange

- Regions Bank, 100 Corsair Dr., Daytona Beach

- Regions Bank, 555 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill

- Regions Bank, corner of Highway 17 and Wal-Mart Dr., Deland at 1699a Woodland Blvd.

Also, the City of Ponce Inlet is taking food contributions for both pets and people on Wednesday November 21st all day.

Any additional Food Drive drop locations will be updated here. We also encourage your comments.

It has been my yearly tradition and something I highly recommend to take a few minutes to look back once a year and take note of what you are thankful for.

I do this at Thanksgiving for obvious reasons, but not everyone celebrates this holiday so whatever you are doing and how ever you celebrate take a second or two to reflect on positive moments that have made your life better in the past year. Not only does it make you realize any progress you have made to this point, it makes you feel good to count your blessings.

So, the question is..."What are you THANKFUL for????"

While the state's voters scratch their heads over the proposed property tax amendment now winging its way onto a Jan. 29 ballot, a powerful group called the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is about to begin feverish consideration of even broader budget and tax proposals, one or more of which are likely to end up on November 2008 ballots.

The 25-member state-appointed group, which can put an amendment directly onto the November ballot by a two-thirds vote, meets today, its first meeting since the Legislature passed its proposal.

Does the Legislature's amendment eliminate the need for the commission to look at tax reform? 'Absolutely not,' said John McKay, a Bradenton resident and a commission member. 'I've been saying for Lord-how-many-years, the structure is just held together with bailing wire and chewing gum,' said McKay, a former president of the Florida Senate. 'We cannot continue to keep depending on ad valorem taxes to fund the state because they are so unstable, and it is having a huge detrimental influence on businesses and on second-home property sales.' He cites a document that is likely to become a centerpiece of the commission's attempts at budget and tax restructuring: 'State of Florida Long-Range Financial Outlook Fiscal Year 2008-09 through 2010-11,' which counts the Senate, the House and the Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research as co-authors.

The upshot of the 95-page study is that the state has to cut $2.3 billion in spending before it even starts the next fiscal year, not counting the further negative impact of the proposed amendment. This is because government has relied too heavily on real estate-related taxes and fees. To some extent these are nonrecurring sources of revenue, being used to fund recurring expenses. 'In good times that is OK, because people buy a lot of houses, but in bad times it is not good, which is what we are in now,' said McKay. 'So you've got to find a second source of revenue. 'That only leads you to one thing, which is sales tax.'

Meanwhile, another commission member, Lee County Tax Appraiser Kenneth Wilkinson, is also working on a fresh property tax initiative of his own, commission spokeswoman Kathy Torian confirmed. Wilkinson is generally recognized as the father of the Save Our Homes amendment, and has been engaged in a lengthy quest to make accrued Save Our Homes benefits portable as homeowners downsize or upgrade from one Florida residence to another. The Legislature's amendment seeks to do that, but in a limited fashion. Someone who moves to a more expensive house would be able to carry forward up to $500,000 in Save Our Homes accrued benefits, which would go to reduce the taxable value on the new home. If the person downsizes, the exemption would be proportional to the savings on the old house.

These proposals and others by commission members are already being vetted by lawyers and prepared for public display, Torian said. 'One could be completed as early as tomorrow,' Torian said Wednesday. Talk about open access...

Quite of a bit of the process will be accessible to the public. Committee meetings considering the ideas will typically take place in airport meeting rooms. Torian said that at least a week before a committee takes up a given proposal or set of proposals, she will post the meeting site. There probably will be opportunities for public comment at most of the committee meetings, she said, but it is not guaranteed. Staff members will post detailed minutes of each committee meeting on the Web site.

When the full commission starts debating proposals that have emerged from committee -- mostly in the first quarter of 2008 -- staff members will arrange for full transcripts on the Web.

Commission chairman Allan Bense has set a soft deadline of Nov. 30 for members to submit their proposals either for a statute or for a constitutional amendment. The first of these proposals could show up as early as today on Bense's desk, said deputy staff director Torian. 'There could be 20 or 30 different proposal ideas out there right now,' Torian said. 'Everything will begin hot and heavy now.'

Within a few days, she expects to add a button marked 'Member's Proposals' to the group's Web page, www.floridatbrc.org. Unlike a citizens' initiative, which would require 611,000 signatures by the beginning of February to get onto the November ballot as a proposed amendment, the commission simply needs to agree on a proposed amendment by a two-thirds vote, which means 17 out of 25 members. A simple majority, 13 out of the 25, can send a proposed bill to the Legislature for consideration starting in March.

The commission met for the first time in 1990. An amendment adopted by voters in 1998 changed the panel's next appointment to 2007-08 and established that it will meet every 20 years after this.

One commission member whose constituency is really hurting these days is Nancy Riley, president of the Florida Association of Realtors. She would not talk about specific proposals, but she indicated that what the Legislature has wrought for the Jan. 29 ballot is more of a start to tax reform than a finish. 'It certainly wasn't as much as I hoped for, but at least it was something,' said Riley. 'It will be a base, and from there we are hoping to expand into other areas.'

The commission is supposed to consider a broad range of budgetary and tax-related topics such the need for more roads, the state's education system, and so on. But tax reform has so far dominated the public hearings. 'They didn't talk about the structure of government, or did we need better roads,' said Bill Levison, a snowbird who flew down from his home in Lexington, Mass., to attend the Fort Lauderdale hearing and speak his piece. 'They talked about whether government is getting too much revenue or not enough, whether we should have caps or not on revenues or spending, whether we should keep Save Our Homes or make it portable,' he said. Levison founded a tax-cutting group called Broward Activists for Tax Equity that now has 80 members. Its plan, which he provided to the commission in a three-minute speech, focuses on limiting government revenues. 'Once you limit revenues, you've already prevented runaway taxation, so Save Our Homes wouldn't be necessary, so you could phase it out,' Levison said. 'We'd try to avoid some sticker shock by phasing it out gradually.'

In the build-up for this month's special session, Gov. Charlie Crist's office requested a legal brief from FSU law professor Nat Stern over whether its plan to create Save Our Homes portability could hold up in court.

Now it could be one of the hottest legal questions in Florida.
Two groups have already tried to challenge SOH in court as an affront to the federal constitutional rights to travel and commerce. Other groups are lining up to join the fray, including one where the nation of Canada may be the plaintif.

Last spring, noted tax lawyer Walter Hellerstein concluded portability could convince a judge that the 'locked in' disparity between new and longtime homeowners was unconstitutional. He also noted the repercussions could be forcing homeowners or the government to give back billions of dollars to make amends.

In his 10-page memo to the governor's office, Nat Stern concluded that while he doesn't think portability was 'infirm' legally, including a 25 percent assessment discount for new home buyers 'remediates as closely as possible any penalty that new purchasers would suffer for not having established a Florida homestead sooner.'

Only problem: lawmakers left that out, in part, because it didn't poll well with voters.

Professor Stern commented that while he hasn't studied the entire bill, 'I see that inclusion of the first-time home buyer discount bolsters the state's case' against a commerce clause challenge.

Other lawyers think the whole system is ripe for a challenge.
University of Florida local government lawyer Michael Allan Wolf says Florida loses one of the arguments courts have recognized in upholding SOH so far -- that it promotes stability in communities. Portability promotes mobility, he says.

"Now the justification for Save Our Homes in the first place we lose once we have portability."

House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami spoke candidly, We may not know the unintended consequenses of this thing for years, I believe that someone's going to challenge this, and it's going to have to work it's way through the federal court system.'

The Governor's office is still comfortable with his legal counsel's view that portability will withstand a legal challenge. Gov. Crist is criscrossing the state promoting the plan.

But there is widespread agreement among lawmakers- even those who drafted and voted for the amendment - that this plan will ultimately end up getting its day in court.

The Legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment that will go to voters Jan. 29. Together, the proposals would cut property taxes $1.4 billion in 2008-09 -- with about $204 million of that taken from schools. Lawmakers met in a 17-day special session that began with what was presented as a done deal and soon devolved into a series of different proposals. Here's where it ended Monday. WHAT'S IN
Portability. Homesteaders could take up to $500,000 of Save Our Homes protections to a new home purchase. Those who downsize would take a pro-rated portion of their tax protections. Applies to all property taxes. Senate staff estimates this would cut taxes, statewide, $302 million in 2008-09.
Double homestead exemption. Homesteaders get a second $25,000 exemption on the assessed value on the value of their homes over $50,000. It doesn't apply to school taxes. Senate staff estimates this would cut taxes, statewide, $$892 million in 2008-09.
Tangible personal property tax exemption. Businesses get a break on the taxes they pay on equipment. Applies to all property taxes. Senate staff estimates this would cut taxes, statewide, $179 million in 2008-09.
Assessment cap for non-homestead property. Property assessments could increase no more than 10 percent each year on non-homestead property. Senate staff estimates this would cut taxes, statewide, $51 million in 2009-10.

WHAT'S OUT
New-home buyers would have gotten a 25 percent break on assessments. The House estimated this would have cut taxes $65 million in 2008-09.

Those 65 or older, with household income under $23,604, would have been exempted from all homestead property taxes. The House estimated this would have cut taxes $629 million in 2008-09.

Tax breaks for affordable housing would have limited assessments to reflect rents paid. The House estimated it would have cut taxes $45 million in 2008-09.

Caps on millage rates local governments could set would have preserved reductions passed by the Legislature and approved by voters.

The Miami-Dade property appraiser would have become an elected position.

Non-homestead property owners would have had an easier way to challenge their tax assessments, under certain circumstances. House staff estimated taxes would have been cut $100 million in 2008-09.

A minimum homestead exemption equal to 40 percent of the median homestead price in each county.

Working waterfront property - like commercial fishing operations - would have gotten limits on assessments.

Politicians know most people have more important things on their minds than the actions of politicians. Politicians also know something else: they know that they have no choice but to find a way to grab voter's attention in preparation for the next election. One of the best attention-getters of all is FEAR...the politics of FEAR. (remember our definition of FEAR is (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal)

"Bipartisanship" has also become a dirty word but not for the reason most Americans have considered. Think about what it means--only two parties. The reluctance for Democrats and Republicans to work together is a big hoax perpetrated by them to make it appear that they are two parties who hate each other when in fact they're really one party who work great together. They have a few minor differences sometimes such as whether to increase spending by 6% or 4%, and some of them disagree on non-issues like abortion and gay marriage, but all in all, they are one unified party. The difference between Ds and Rs is about the same as the difference between Baptists and Methodists. They are both Christians...just like republicans and democrats are both politicians.

Meanwhile, they've rigged the elections by forbidding outright anyone other than Ds and Rs to appear on the primary ballot or else making it difficult for other parties and independents. They throw away any votes they don't approve of. They gerrymander the districts to assure themselves victory. So "bipartisanship" is a dirty word not because they never engage in it but because ONLY two parties are allowed to have any say in this country. How about some tri-partisanship, quadra-partisanship or deca-partisanship?

I've been reading many articles/blogs, etc. about Presidential Candidate Ron Paul. Some of them label him 'crazy.' Some of them label his ideas 'radical,' 'different,' and 'kooky.'

After I stop laughing, I think, 'Everything is upside down. Or maybe we've actually come full circle?' When the ideas of limited government, strict adherence to the Constitution, a free market, and fiscal responsibility are called radical, perhaps the truth is that the rest of the politicians have gone crazy and Ron Paul is really the sane one.

Many of the 2008 Presidential candidates from both parties are scripted media masterpieces who will promise you everything, and deliver little. They will change their position and say anything to get elected. After that, they will ignore you and do whatever they like. Why? Because it's all about them, not you. They never intended to serve the people. They just liked the idea of themselves and their party being in charge.

If Ron Paul is a radical statesman with revolutionary ideas, that's okay with me because I really like revolutionary ideas like freedom and abiding by the Constitution. When teenagers drag their parents to over to the computer to listen to web videos of a 71 year old man because Dr. Paul speaks of freedom and fiscal responsibility for the future, hey, that's cool with me.

I remember when we used to support candidates because we liked what they stood for. We thought that they were people of principle who wanted to help us make our country and our lives better.

Lately we seem to have been reduced to considering the lesser of all the evils on almost every issue...even locally. Well, I'm one person who is sick and tired of the lesser of evils, because the lesser of evils is still evil. Some politicians even talk of 'throwing away a vote.' Thomas Jefferson would roll over in his grave upon hearing that. We must always vote our conscience. We must always stand up for what is right, even if it isn't popular.

That's why it is soooooooo important to point out REAL and meaningful LEADERSHIP when it happens...and the Volusia County Council's vote on participating in the Commuter Rail projest through Central Florida is clearly taking a stand and voting for the future good of the community even in the face of widespread angst over government spending.

I also applaud Daytona City Commissioner Rick Shiver and the entire Daytona City Commission as they have grappled with effort of the Central Florida Cultural Endeavors (CFCE) and their request for funding of the Florida International Festival/London Symphony Orchestra's performances in Daytona Beach. Commissioner Shiver's recommendations to convert the proposed GRANT into a LOAN that will be forgiven ONLY in the event that ALL the provisions of the contract are fullfilled were a nice change that led the commission to a 5-2 vote moving the proposal to a second reading.

Maybe there IS hope and "Statesmenship" isnt dead afterall.

Body, Mind, Life balance... "A skilled martial artist knows that it is not your strength that will win a fight. It is the one that can use the imbalance of his opponent that will come out on top. Keep his over-confident momentum going, and he will become your prey.

At the same time, be true to your balance or the tides will change." Have you felt the tides change in your life? Did you lose balance?

Striking balance involves making choices and sometimes exercising discipline. Hold back too much...and your approach is ineffective. Over extend...and you risk falling on your face. Get it right, you find flow. Balance. Perfect Balance.

It's something we all instinctively seek. No wonder one of the first perfect scores in the history of olympic gymnastics was on the balance beam. Balance can be fleeting.

What may appear to be success to the outside world, can be an abject failure overall...particularly when all other areas of a person's life are sacrificed due to over emphasis in one.

How many times have we heard of the person who is wildly successful...business icons, actors, rock stars, even TV evangelists who lose balance and let the other areas of their life trip them up. At what price do we buy success? If you lose the ones you love, lose your freedom, or worse yet...lose your integrity...your very soul...is it worth it?

I ran into someone in the grocery store this morning, someone who I used to work with in a previous career. When she saw me she actually asked, "Do I know you?"...and then was wide eyed...and gave me a big hug. She had not seen me since the day I walked out the door as a very senior executive of a very large, nationally recognized real estate developer and hotel management company. During my tenure there, I had been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, was highlighted as a feature interview on NPR's "All Things Considered", and landed cover stories in Lodging & Hospitality Magazine and Florida Monthly Magazine. I was widely recognized as being enormously successful. There was also alot of daily...almost hour by hour sttress that I realized I no longer wanted in my life. She didn't recognize me at first because within three months of leaving, I lost almost 50 pounds. My body had began finding balance again.

My health had suffered. I had gained alot of weight in those three years. My son was talking about moving back to Tampa to live with his mother. I hadn't seen my lifelong friends and had nearly stopped talking to them. I had stopped writing. Areas of my life that were enormously important to me had been put on hold for this so-called "enourmous success".

I had been burning the candle at both ends...and it had become a habit. The fuel for that fire was the rest of my life...everything else was being consumed by my job and the lifestyle that went with it. There was no balance. As soon as I brought my life back into balance...all the other areas improved...quickly and effortlessly.

The entire universe is comprised of energy and accompanying energy flows. Abundance...is a natural order, but only when there is balance. Like the air in a bellows, it is inexaustible when there is balanced flow. In...and out...in...and out. Giving...and taking...in balance.

Now, my focus is on balance...and I am happy.

Live in balance = live in abundance.

What do you think of the Hillary Clinton's Video introducing her "campaign song"...

Bill Clinton as Carmella Sopprano?? It's an interesting move...possibly to make Hillary Clinton more "approachable" and "hip" with an audiance that embraces a candidate's image.

Some applaud the move, others have knocked it...saying it makes the Clinton's look like the fictional organized crime family.

What is YOUR opinion? Watch the video and tell us in your own words...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9BEPcJlz2wE

A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. "I didn't struggle," he said. "I accommodated myself to the water and just went with its flow."

Alternatively, Marco Rubio (the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives) said to me..."If you are not facing resistance, you are not making a difference."

The Question remains...To Flow or Not to Flow?