Indeed, always being positive is a good attitude. However, the optimism of Governor Charlie Crist seems to have taken a lot of negative critiques. Many say that Crist’s $69.2 billion state budget proposal for 2010-11 is full of pie-eyed optimism when Florida badly needs hard-headed realism.

The governor also refuses to consider layoffs, pay cuts, furloughs or increases in insurance premiums for state workers, and insists on paying bonuses to teachers. However, a lot said that this won’t work with private-sector employers and workers who have seen their pay and benefits decrease or their businesses go under and their jobs recede.

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, offered the refreshing view of a man who realizes that the Legislature must by law pass a balanced budget: “The Senate will be building a budget on what the actual numbers are. We know that we’re in for a long, difficult road. We’re going to do what we have to do without any new taxes, (and) live within our revenues.”