How many people would tolerate a ne’re do well brother-in-law and his pals crashing on their couch, drinking their beer, and constantly snacking out of the fridge.
It wouldn’t be long before they would be told to hit the bricks and find a job.
By passing the One big Beautiful Bill last month the Republicans did just that, bringing to an end the cheating by millions of freeloaders, ensuring that only those Americans who deserve help receive it.
Florida’s Fourth District Republican Congressman and Fernandina Beach native, Aaron Bean, explained what the bill means to most Americans at a packed We The People event at the Omni’s Walker’s Landing this past Monday, July 28.
In a nutshell not only did the bill’s passage require those able-bodied folks to work 20 hours a week to get Medicaid, but it also booted 1.4 million illegals out of the program, said Bean. The graft was so bad, he explained, that many of the cheaters were on the program in two states.
Bean, a member of the prestigious Ways & Means Committee, said that the bill represents a $1,700 annual increase for the average American family. The program was designed for America’s poor and needy, not lazy louts and illegal aliens.
Those able-bodied adults without children must now work for foods stamps. So must most of those with children 14 and older. The Republicans have further tightened requirements that states have to meet to receive waivers to avoid food stamp work requirements, with an estimated eight million moving off welfare as a result.
According to the Foundation for Government Accountability, it is estimated that millions more will leave the Medicaid roles as their incomes increase.
The bill is estimated to significantly boost the economy, saving taxpayers billions of dollars.
A disgrace is that not one single Democrat supported the bill. They endorse waste fraud and cheating for their freeloading supporters.
The Congressman told the crowd that in addition to flushing out fraud and abuse, the bill will also provide funds to finish building the border wall and send “bad guys” back.
He also touched on other highlights of the last session pointing out that an overdue audit of spending of various agencies by the DOGE group has so far saved $168 billion in agency spending, saying that “nobody in those agencies appears to know, who has been paid or how many times.” That’s being remedied he explained.
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Taking Stock In Taking Stock: Nassau County’s Take Stock in Children organization has apparently parted ways with its Program Director Robin Lentz.
I was informally told that Ms. Lentz, a former Fernandina Beach mayor, left her leadership position there and now acts a consultant to the organization.
It’s whispered that her involvement with the local Pride group and her belief that young guys can transition to the biologically impossibility of becoming young gals and vice versa contributed to the change. Her first cousin and left-wing activist Sheilla Cocchi’s vocal shenanigans probably didn’t contribute to Ms. Lentz’s job stability.
Nobody at the organization is talking.
According to the organization’s online site https://tsicnassau.org/about-us the Program Director job is vacant. No mention is made of a change or a replacement.
The online site says “Take Stock in Children is a scholarship and mentoring program that offers academically promising Nassau County students from low-income families the opportunity to earn tuition scholarships to college or vocational school upon graduation. TSIC uses the same guidelines as the Federal Free/Reduced program.”
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Mazel Tov: For the first time ever Nassau County’s Jewish population will have their own house of worship and a fulltime rabbi, Levi Katz (24), who moved here from Miami with his wife, Mindi, a Key West native.
The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony that will be held Wednesday, August 13 at 4 p.m. at the new Chabad Jewish Center of Amelia Island & Nassau County, located at 5472 First Coast Hwy, Suite 11, Fernandina Beach. Following the ribbon cutting a Mezuzah Placement ceremony will take place. A mezuzah is a small parchment scroll inscribed with biblical verses, placed in a decorative case and affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes and businesses as a sign of faith and protection.
Nassau County’s Jewish population is estimated to total about 1,000.
Rabbi Katz says “The Chabad Jewish Center of Amelia Island will offer year-round programs such as Jewish education, holiday celebrations, Shabbat services, and family-friendly events, in a warm, inclusive space that welcomes individuals and families of all backgrounds to connect with Jewish life and community.”
For additional information contact Rabbi Katz at 305/984-3277 or Rabbi@ChabadAmeliaIsland.com or go to the web site at ChabadAmeliaIsland.com.
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Knocke Knocking At Court House Door: Last Tuesday, July 29th, Jack Knocke was back in Nassau County Circuit Court arguing once again for the release of Mental Health Curriculum public records. He says the Nassau County School District and Starting Point Behavioral Health are blocking access to them.
Knocke is the founder of local community watchdog group Common Sense and former executive director of Citizens Defending Freedom.
He sent me a detailed missing saying: “In November 2024, the court ruled that we could see the records the school district and Starting Point are still blocking.”
Knocke told the court that access to the mental health online curriculum used by Nassau County Schools has been blocked for two years.
“Could it be that they want to prevent further discovery of potentially illegal content in the curriculum including videos observed showing children coaching children with regard to mental illness diagnosis, children having access to a Ripple Effects Brain Journal that is illegally stored in the system and blocked from parents, and presentation of sexual content (and then modifications) blocked from public observation for eight years of use in the county?”
In his missive Knocke wrote: “Public records especially those records that are the subject of a civil action MUST be preserved by the government entity by law. There are legal consequences. These materials have been used in Nassau schools since 2015 – 8 years. The school district and Starting Point claim that they don’t have it any longer. They terminated their contract, ran out the clock, and breached a mutual contract to block public access.”
“Do parents know that if their child has a grades issue, behavioral issue or an absentee issue, their child is referred to a mental hospital?” he asked.
“The school sugar coats it by calling it BRAVE Care Connect,” he continued. “BRAVE is a division of UF Health and Flagler Health Mental Health group. This hospital team then refers children to Starting Point and Ripple Effects.”
“You have to ask yourself, what are they covering up? What could be so concerning that they have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to block public access. Why are the Superintendent, School Board and their hired agent Starting Point blocking anyone from seeing the materials used in our public schools?”
“Ask any teacher. Mental Health issues in schools are off the charts. The state of Florida spent $9 million on mental health in schools in 2016. In 2024, they spent $180 million. That is a 20x increase. Nassau County contributed an additional $315 thousand in the 24/25 fiscal year to Starting Point directly. But, we’re not allowed to see how they spend it.”
“Mental Health Experts reveal that the mental health services don’t work. In fact, they appear to be making it worse. All that money and the problem is worse than ever. This is a chronic issue in Nassau and around our country.”
Knocke can be contacted at 470-295-4365 or jackknocke@gmail.com
Congratulations to Nassau County getting it’s first Jewish Center. The correct number for Rabbi Katz is 305-984-3277.
Thanks Fred. It has been corrected.
Jack is a hero – the School District’s “ actions “ of those who have much to hide
Shame on the School Board for, in effect , standing idly by
Same thing happened with the millage vote … “ most of money goes to teachers “ where abt 1/3 went to other professionals and teachers – it’s a corrupt system imho
Thanks, Dave – your journalism has spotlighted a couple of local leaders quite well.
Congressman Aaron Bean has long been an outstanding leader in our county, our state and now nationally with his efforts to rein in federal excess and waste where it occurs. He was instrumental in linking Congress to the DOGE initiative, with a professional and positive style that’s too often missing in politics.
Jack Knocke has become a strong leader in addressing local issues, supports his effort with relentless research from many in our community.
Aaron and Jack are examples of public leadership that is so often in short supply in the public forum.
Harvey,
I agree with your very positive assessment of two excellent examples of public leadership. The community is very fortunate to have such outstanding public leaders.
We still have under educated people who were unable to attend college or further education. . We are loosing menial jobs, the unskilled use to do. Not to mention AI It is proven once a person reaches 50, learning is very slow and difficult. In the future we will need more basic education with more skills. If one thinks it is bad now just wait. More people will be given a pittance by the government just to live. We have cut the budget for education and schools. Does not make sense to me,
Dave,
I read Aaron Bean’s synopsis of the BBB’s new laws regarding Medicare and Medicaid eligibility. It was concise and easy to read & understand. I would invite anyone confused over the changes to read his summation – it will enlighten you.
Great blog as always Dave
We are blessed to have leaders like Bean and Knocke for sure. I
no longer have kids in public school (long gone). Something about our Nassau County school system does not smell right. Mr. Knocke’s issues need to be addressed now – transparency please.
Every community in the USA needs a Dave Scott. He’s a catfish keeping the netted fish alive before being processed–Dave keeps our brains alive and thinking–even when we disagree.