2011

It's finally here: 2011! The Right Solutions wishes its readers a happy, healthy and successful 2011. This is the time of year that we take stock in what we want to do personally and professionally and we hope that if those goals are declared, you, the reader, are successful in achieving them.

Yes, Please Run!

A report appeared today showed former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, is being asked by Florida Republicans to challenge Senator Bill Nelson in 2012. Four years after his last term as Governor ended, Bush is still a very popular figure within the state. As governor, he was a strong leader, kept taxes in Florida low, attracted new residents to the state, as well as new businesses, and was also the first Republican in Florida to serve two terms as Governor. His leadership further cemented Florida as being a state more friendly to Republicans. In a hypothetical matchup, Bush leads Nelson and I believe that if he runs, Bush will win in a very easy contest. Bush will win the reliably red portion of the state in the panhandle, northern Florida and Southwest Florida. He will also do much better than most Republicans in Southwest Florida, especially with his popularity among Seniors and Hispanics. And in the most important region of the state, the I-4 Corridor, a region which I covered during the Midterms, he will also win, as this region has been economically hammered and it is my belief, especially after an analysis of the 2010 Election, that the voters who went heavily for Obama in 2008 are aware of the ramifications of that vote and their current circumstances, therefore, they will not make that mistake again.

I doubt Nelson's popularity, as he won re-election in a Democrat year against a weak candidate in Katherine Harris, who many in the Republican Party, sadly, did not fully back, instead, sending her out as a sacrificial lamb. Florida is quickly becoming a stronghold for Republicans, as was proven this fall. Nelson is already starting to run a little scared, as he is coming out against the Administration on their NASA policy, as he rightly should, considering he was once an astronaut, and the fact that NASA is a major employer in Central Florida.

The next cycle will likely be a year where Republicans are favored and Jeb Bush gives Florida its best chance to make sure Senator Marco Rubio has a partner, who in their representation of Florida, will espouse and advocate for Conservative, small government solutions to the problems that Florida and the United States have endured under the Obama Administration.

Still in Christmas Mode and Still Snowed In

Roads still haven't improved and I still have Christmas and Disney on the brain, therefore, here is a clip of Epcot's nighttime spectacular, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. I had the pleasure of seeing this twice while I was in Florida earlier this month and I am embedding the show for my readers' enjoyment. I did not make this video, but it is one of the most well done currently on YouTube and includes the "Holiday Ending."

I am aware that much has gone on since my time away from "The 'Right' Solutions," but in due time, I will return to my coverage and commentary. Until then, enjoy Illuminations: Reflections of Earth!

Snowed In

Just one day after Christmas, the Northeast was pounded by an enormous blizzard that has left travel delays and much snow in its wake: 20" in New York, 18" in Boston, 12" in Philadelphia, and more in some places. What made it worse was the fact that there were strong winds all day that created extremely large snowdrifts in the Mid-Atlantic region! Driving has also been downright treacherous.

If you don't have to go anywhere, I'd stay home, as side roads still need a little more work. Safe travels for anyone having to get around.

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night

"The 'Right' Solutions" would like to take the time to wish its readers a Very Merry Christmas! This holiday has such special beginnings and has, over the years, grown into a whole season that captures the hearts, reunites and draws families closer together, while mesmerizing children at the thought of Santa bringing them their present of choice. Christmas traditions across the United States, both new and old have developed, grown and have become well-known. We must also take a moment out of our day to remember our servicemen and women who are sacrificing time away from their families in their service to the United States.

Whether attending mass/church services, giving presents, opening presents, getting together with family, traveling or sitting down for a great feast, we hope for an enjoyable and memorable Christmas for all!

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Last month, I have been quite critical of the TSA, and rightly so, and after reading the news, I admit, I was apprehensive about flying. In the end, I must give them a tip of the cap as I saw they did a revamping of customer service since the last time I flew.

Both times, it was a pleasant experience. Departing from EWR, the only additional methods (in addition to the magnetometer and putting baggage and other materials through the x-ray machine) they used were the following: an upper body backhand patdown, and a search of my small bag as I had a myriad of chargers and portable electronics (e.g. GPS, iPod, BlackBerry, etc) in the bag. They explained in both cases what they were doing and apologized for delaying me. The female agent who searched my bag even offered to assist me in repacking it. I will make every effort to fly out of there early again (not just because of my TSA experience, but a drop in flight delays as EWR is infamous for delays due to traffic) In departing MCO, there were no additional methods used and I was able to quickly pass through before heading to the airside shuttle. Their infamous security lines were also not exceedingly long. The TSA at MCO were also rather friendly.

Both airports were using the body scanners, but in both cases, I was not required to go through them and did not have to opt-out for a public patdown, which I intended to do.

Again, this was a positive experience and I hope it continues for when I travel in 2011 and beyond.

Back to your regularly scheduled program

After a week in paradise, including a few days in one of my all-time favorite places, where I segregated myself from most news and politics, I am back and will be resuming a regular blogging schedule after catching up.

Apologies for a lack of warning of the hiatus and I look forward to welcoming you all back.