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Thursday, May 21, 2009
Newsnotes from our "little laboratories of experimentation" Sandy Levinson
Constitutional design buffs should certainly find much of interest in today's newspapers, especially with regard to the oft-argued role of American states as "little laboratories of experimentation." One state is offering us an example of American-style "constitutional dictatorship," while another demonstrates in spades the ravages of a dysfunctional constitution. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger returned home from a White House visit on Wednesday to find the state dangerously broke, his constituents defiant after a special election on Tuesday and calls for a constitutional convention — six months ago little more than a wonkish whisper — a cacophony. As the notion of California as ungovernable grows stronger than ever, Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has expressed support for a convention to address such things as the state's arcane budget requirements and its process for proliferate ballot initiatives, both of which necessitated Tuesday's statewide vote on budget matters approved months ago by state lawmakers. Posted 7:44 AM by Sandy Levinson [link]
Minnesota is not an example of a "constitutional dictatorship." In fact, Pawlenty is threatening to use an unallotment statute enacted by the legislature which empowers the commissioner of finance and the governor to cut previously alloted spending when there is a shortfall of revenues and the legislature has not yet acted to reduce spending. Pawlenty is not exercising a constitutional power. As a staunch opponent of "constitutional dictatorship," I would have thought that you would be residing on the other end of the scale and support direct democracy in the form of the California initiative process. Is your problem with the Governor of Minnesota and the People of California less the form of government and more that they both rejected additional taxes to fund your preferred welfare state?
The basic underlying problem with the California constitution is the exact opposite of the one you decry in the US Constitution. It is much too easy to amend. The ballot initiative has make constitutional amendments no more difficult than ordinary legislation. The California constitution has become so encrusted with amendments that it has slowly taken almost all discretion from the legislature and made California ungovernable.
EL's comment highlights one of the significant problems with the CA Constitution, but there are two others which are even more important: the requirement for a 2/3 vote to pass a budget; and a requirement for a 2/3 vote to pass local tax increases.
While the initiative process is a case of perhaps too much democracy, the 2/3 rules are examples of no democracy at all. It's rule by a minority, and as Lincoln said, "A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it does of necessity fly to anarchy or to despotism. Unanimity is impossible. The rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement, is wholly inadmissible; so that, rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or despotism in some form is all that is left." I'd say CA is proving the truth of this daily.
Bart DePalma said:
Is your problem with the Governor of Minnesota and the People of California less the form of government and more that they both rejected additional taxes to fund your preferred welfare state? I think this is the sort of thing that Orin Kerr (The Volokh Conspiracy) was referring to when he told Bart that "the quality of the analysis and your civility are both below average" and "I haven't banned you, but I've certainly read your stuff and cringed." Of course, we all have myriad examples of Bart's cringe inducing posts here. Maybe it comes from spending so much of his time defending drunks.
Professor Levinson,
I think I can answer your question about "what will it take?" It will probably have to get so bad that the people who walk around with voices in their heads (and not merely ear-bud headphones tuned in to Rush) telling them how evil the Democrats are realize that something must be done. We've had floods, we've had war, we're having pestilence now, all attributable or worsened by the operations of a minority party which stubbornly refuses to participate in government through compromise. As majority leader in the state house Pawlenty pushed through the tax cuts enacted during the late nineties, which drained the "rainy day fund" in subsequent years, leading to the current situation, in which revenues have fallen far short. His actions, no matter how well-intentioned, are going to be seen by a large segment of the public as dictatorial. This will inevitably extend beyond those who will be negatively affected by his slashing of services, such as the ability to get a reasonably-priced college degree, police and fire protection, and bridge and road repairs. Minnesota has a large number of people who just don't like prima donnas, and Pawlenty is positioning himself to don the biggest prima donna outfit in the state. It appears quite obvious that he's given up on any political future in Minnesota and is angling to be the national GOP's next "strong man". It will be interesting to see how the citizens of Minnesota feel, in the next election, about being spun, rinsed, and hung out to dry by the GOP for federal electoral advantage. The Minnesota GOP may be committing a form of suicide, thanks to Pawlenty and Coleman. It might be more possible to modify a state constitution to start. I suggest Minnesota, as a state that is generally willing to try something new. After having budgetary impasses in virtually every session, culminating in the elevation of Tiny Tim to dictator, we might reach the point where an alternative begins to be truly attractive.
A fundamental difference is that it's quite just to blame California's problems on California's constitution, because the state government is actually obeying it.
By contrast, there's a certain injustice to blaming the federal Constitution on our present difficulties, when it's observed so much in the breach.
If you can find a common denominator in Sandy's Minnesota and California examples apart from a failure to raise taxes to pay for their respective welfare states, I would be pleased to hear it. This seem to be the complaint amongst posters in response.
Is your problem with the Governor of Minnesota and the People of California less the form of government and more that they both rejected additional taxes to fund your preferred welfare state?The problem in California is that the citizens reject additional taxes to fund THEIR preferred welfare state.
In the end, you can have big government and higher taxes, or small government and lower taxes. But you can't have big government and lower taxes. And that's why ballot initiatives aren't such a great idea.
Pawlenty has taken 40 percent of the total (for K-12 ed) off the table as untouchable, which means he'll cut more than 20 percent from the remaining sources. Of the funds to be cut, 1 percent represents welfare spending, so he'll need to cut welfare by 10,000 percent.
"Welfare state" indeed. I like the sound of "Minnesota Parliament". I'd suggest that we get Jesse Ventura on the job. I think he'd enjoy the challenge.
You will always find a majority support for government welfare when that majority do not have to pay for it. This reality is why Obama plans to borrow Trillions to finance his wildly expanded federal welfare state. However, California is broke and its credit rating is at junk bond levels. Thus, the state had to go to its People to pay for the welfare state and the People told them no. C2H50H said... Pawlenty has taken 40 percent of the total (for K-12 ed) off the table as untouchable, which means he'll cut more than 20 percent from the remaining sources. Of the funds to be cut, 1 percent represents welfare spending, so he'll need to cut welfare by 10,000 percent. The welfare state includes all redistribution of wealth from the public in transfer payments and subsidies to politically favored groups, not just AFDC. Outside of infrastructure and police, most of modern government is a welfare state. For example, the largest expenditure for a state outside of education and by far the most rapidly growing is the welfare program of Medicaid. Start there.
You will always find a majority support for government welfare when that majority do not have to pay for it. This reality is why Obama plans to borrow Trillions to finance his wildly expanded federal welfare state. However, California is broke and its credit rating is at junk bond levels. Thus, the state had to go to its People to pay for the welfare state and the People told them no.You are missing the other side of this, though, Bart. Try getting through an initiative that repeals minimum spending requirements for K-12 education, or cuts highway or mass transit construction funding, or repeals Three Strikes.
We have voters who vote for a free lunch, every time. Higher spending, lower taxes.
Your current tax revenues more than pays for schools, transportation and prisons - all of which are services to the general public and not redistribution. Your fellow Californians are not as stupid as you make them out to be. They know the requested tax increase was going to pay for your incredibly boated welfare state.
The real problem is that everyone wants to cut wasteful government spending but no one wants their own program to be the one to take the cuts. Inevitably, people's protectiveness of their own program outweighs their hostility to government spending. Try proposing a budget to the people of California (or any other state for that matter) that eliminates 100% of all government spending on anything but schools, transportation and prisons, and I am betting you would run into just as much resistence as to a tax increase.
Even Dems have to live within their means when manacled by strong constitutional requirements. The Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights limits spending increases to inflation plus population growth and prohibits tax increases except when the citizenry agrees to raise the limits in an election. Colorado's government went from red to purple to blue with all the Dem California refugees coming here. However, you can hardly tell the difference in the state government because the voters have shot down nearly every Dem attempt to raise taxes and spending under TABOR. Dems without other people's money to spend are simply "empathetic" Republicans. Tellingly, none of the California Dems are leaving Colorado to return to the Left Coast because they miss the government services. They seem to do just fine managing their own money like adults. Instead, there is a constant flow of economic refugees who are fleeing from states with punitive tax codes like California to low tax states like Colorado and taking their businesses and jobs with them.
Yet, oddly enough, Colorado does spend money on other things besides schools, prisons and roads. Tell you what. Why don't you run for state legislature on a platform of eliminating all spending except on these three items. You might win in a district like Woodland Park. But somehow I don't think your proposal would be too popular in the state as a whole.
Precisely. Short of a truth in political advertising law requiring budget office certification of the cost of each program politicians promise on the campaign trail, strict constitutional caps on government spending, taxing and borrowing without a vote of the people is the next best solution to politicians promising government services for free.
Bart DePalma said:
If you can find a common denominator in Sandy's Minnesota and California examples apart from a failure to raise taxes to pay for their respective welfare states, I would be pleased to hear it. This seem to be the complaint amongst posters in response. Posters? That is true only if we count your multiple posts as different people. You are the only one complaining about "welfare states". Your political filter apparently only allows you to see things in extreme terms: "welfare states", "lying bitch", "traitors", the list goes on. The common denominator of Sandy's examples is state government working badly due to laws that are on the extremes. In Minnesota, you have one person (the governor) with the power to unilaterally shape the budget. In California, you have a law that requires 2/3 majority to pass a budget, an almost impossible task, and a state initiative process that has run amuck. The California initiative process, which had the laudable goal of giving citizens a direct voice in the government, is broken. I doubt that the originators ever conceived of there being anywhere up to 2 dozen initiatives on every state ballot. Most citizen do not have the expertise or the time to educate themselves on this many potential laws. The initiative process has been taken over by special interest groups who hire workers to collect signatures, rather than the grass roots efforts that were originally anticipated. Many of the initiatives are either poorly written, or deliberately written in such a way that voters are confused as to whether a "Yes" or "No" vote will give the desired result. Back in the 1960s, California was widely considered to have the best public school system in the country. Due to in large part Proposition 13, California's public school system is now ranked in the bottom decile, below Alabama. While you probably consider yourself a self-made man, I notice that you attended public universities, both as an undergraduate and for law school. You apparently have no problem taking advantage of the "welfare state" when it is to your advantage.
Bart DePalma said:
Tellingly, none of the California Dems are leaving Colorado to return to the Left Coast because they miss the government services. They seem to do just fine managing their own money like adults. How do you know why they aren't leaving Colorado to return to California? Have you asked all of them? When I lived in California, the only reason I ever heard from people for leaving was the cost of living. They were not talking about taxes, but the incredible cost of housing. The fact that the California public school system is now ranked as worse than Alabama's might also have something to do with it.
Your current tax revenues more than pays for schools, transportation and prisons - all of which are services to the general public and not redistribution.Bart, stay in Colorado and don't talk about California. It's not worth explaning to you and you don't know what you are talking about.
Hank Gillette said...
Bart DePalma said: If you can find a common denominator in Sandy's Minnesota and California examples apart from a failure to raise taxes to pay for their respective welfare states, I would be pleased to hear it. The common denominator of Sandy's examples is state government working badly due to laws that are on the extremes. Working badly? To this free marketeer, government appeared to be working well in both cases. To believe that these are examples of government working badly, you must be upset that they failed to raise taxes to pay for their respective welfare states. I think you proved my point. How do you know why they aren't leaving Colorado to return to California? Colorado is a net growth state and the largest source of our new citizens is California. California has been driving out its citizens for a decade now and replacing them with foreign immigrants, mostly illegals. While I would love for the California Dems to go home and return my red state to me, it appears instead there will be more coming.
Prop. 13 would have had ZERO impact on California schools if it weren't for illegal immigrants. It's time to face that reality head on.
P.S. to Dilan: I've lived in California my entire life. I think that Bart is making some very good points about our State.
This is somewhat off topic, perhaps quite a bit, but Sandy's desire for a Constitutional Convention came to mind as I read John Gardner's "Can There Be a Written Constitution?" available via SSRN at:
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1401244 Beginning at page 26 he discussed problems or obstacles in calling an Article V Convention. The entire article has a bit of whimsy in discussing the "unwritten" British Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, including the selection of a SCOTUS nominee (that is discussed by other posts at this Blog without comments because of Justice Souter's resignation). At page 36: "The only possible reason for choosing a textualist Supreme Court nominee over a purposivist, or an originalist-texualist over a strict-constructionist-textualist, or a original-intent-originalist, or indeed a baggist over a raggist, is that each of them, or at any rate each of them in combination with some like-kinded judges, will have the power to change the law of the constitution by giving the constitution a meaning different from the one that it would have under the authority of a judge or a combination of judges from some rival camp." Then, at page 37: "And since judges are fallible human beings like the rest of us it had to be that way. So even if one says, crazily, that judicial law-making is always erroneous, one cannot avoid reaching the same result: Any Constitution that provides for authoritative adjudications regarding its own application cannot but be to some extent a living constitution, i.e. cannot but contain less law at its inception than it comes to contain later."
P.S. to Dilan: I've lived in California my entire life. I think that Bart is making some very good points about our State....
Charles, it's not worth arguing with you either. The history of California's initiative and budgeting process is well-established. And it supports the conclusion that the voters mandate huge spending programs and pass huge bond measures while also mandating no tax increases. Bart (and apparently you) would like to believe the spending part of the equation never happened and in fact the California voters are a bunch of people who just want a small government. But there's no evidence of that. California is a liberal state which favors big social programs. We have just managed to prove that budgeting by ballot initiative doesn't work because the voters are even worse than politicians at making tough decisions.
Charles said:
Prop. 13 would have had ZERO impact on California schools if it weren't for illegal immigrants. It's time to face that reality head on. Are you saying that illegal immigrants were the ones who voted in Prop. 13? That is the only way what you are saying would make any sense. Proposition 13 resulted in a 57% decrease in revenue from property taxes. How could that have zero effect on anything funded by property taxes?
Despite what many politicians say, total property tax revenues to local governments in California have increased at a rate exceeding inflation and virtually all other economic indicators, and, in fact, state and local governments have much more money today than before Proposition 13 passed, even considering inflation and population growth.
Proposition 13 is fair to local governments because it allows for periodic reassessment of property when it changes ownership. New construction and improvements to existing properties also are assessed at current value, which increases revenue to government. The property tax is a stable source of local government revenue — as predictable for the politicians as it is for property owners. It's true that Proposition 13 has forced local governments to manage their finances better — one reason the initiative had such overwhelming popular support. Most cities and counties have been very successful under Proposition 13. If some have failed, the problem is not Prop. 13. It's reckless spending, including on ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS! http://www.hjta.org/
You misunderstand me. 1) A heavy majority of Americans will take whatever the government will give them so long as they think that someone else will pay the bill. This is more true with the left than the right and California is definitely a Left Coast state. 2) However, a heavy majority of Americans become born again supporters of small government when they are asked directly to pay for government services from which they themselves will rarely if ever benefit. California is no different in that regard. 3) If your (and Colorado's) initiative system has a major flaw, it is permitting enactment of spending increases without requiring corresponding tax increases to pay for them. If you put a price tag on mandated spending increases, most would fail.
Bart, we actually have a little bipartisan agreement here. You are quite right that initiatives should be pay as you go.
Where we disagree is that, at least in California, the public hasn't stopped wanting big government. They just continue to be in denial about what a fiscal mess we are in. Even now, with all this talk about bankruptcy and federal bailouts and everything else, your typical Californian has no idea what is going on. All he or she knows is that those ballot initiatives on the next ballot guaranteeing a tax cut, or more funding for pre-school, or locking more criminals up, or whatever, all sound good. We are a state of Neros playing the fiddle.
1) A heavy majority of Americans will take whatever the government will give them so long as they think that someone else will pay the bill. This is more true with the left than the right and California is definitely a Left Coast state.
While those on the rigth will take advantage of government services and then pretend that they don't approve of taking advantage of government services.
oh yes .. the political right would never avail themselves of other peoples' tax money ..
that's why all the red states get more back than they pay in every year .. and then send anti-taxers to congress .. it must be awfully cramped and dark under that rock ..eh ?? got credibility ??
Prop 13 is a homeowner's dream and a citizen's nightmare. And don't get me started on the subsequent lack of correcting market forces in the housing bubble...
I'm all for a constitutional convention, but I have to admit a certain lack of excitement when the process boils down to various business councils pushing through their preferred visions of our future.
Just a quick note of thanks to Hank Gillette for attempting to bring the conversation back to the implications of state constitutional provisions (and structures), independently of one's particular partisan views about the goodness or badness of Tim Pawlenty. The point is that Pawlenty, for good or for ill, is claiming the power that we often associate with dictators. The fact that it may (I don't know enough about Minnesota constitutional law to be certain) be perfectly constitutional is what would make Minnesota a "constitutional dictatorship," which is, presumably, preferable to a dictatorship produced by out-and-out-usurpation.
Short of a truth in political advertising law requiring budget office certification of the cost of each program politicians promise on the campaign trail, strict constitutional caps on government spending, taxing and borrowing without a vote of the people is the next best solution to politicians promising government services for free.Translation: Bart accuses Prof. Levinson of thinking Minnesota and California are dysfunctional for choosing less taxes and less services than our host sees fit. Meanwhile, Bart thinks the other states (including his own state of Colorado) are dysfunctional for choosing more services and more taxes than Bart sees fit. Bart is outraged, not over our host's purported attempt to dictate voter preferences, but over our host not dictating the voter preferences Bart favors.
(Sorry, Professor).
I have a question which I hope is on-topic.
First, some background: The Minnesota constitution requires that the legislature and governor come to an agreement by a date certain or the legislature is required to adjourn. This would appear to be coercive to producing a compromise, but of course our politicians have found a way around. In past years (the majority of them, lately), the budget battles were not concluded, and the governor was forced to convene a "special session" to conclude the business. I suspect that the Democrats in the legislature expected this to occur again, and so a game of political chicken took place. The governor resorted to his nuclear option (which, professor Levinson, will be constitutional or not, I suspect, only after years of litigation). My question: Clearly, while Minnesota's constitution was designed to foster compromise (unsuccessfully, in this case), California's constitution was not. What other state constitutions have provisions which are "better designed" in the sense of having a means of resolving, without resort to dictatorial -- and possibly unconstitutional -- rule? I'm not interested, BTW, on what, taxes, spending, or other issues, are the font et origo of disagreement. I'm interested in the means of resolution.
How is an executive acting pursuant to statutory authority deciding how to allocate a shortfall of revenues to executive departments in the absence of legislative action in any way "dictatorial?" Governor Pawlenty hardly gets the final "dictatorial" word here. The Dem legislature can enact a revised budget cutting spending in the departments it pleases to meet the shortfall in revenues. Instead, it wants to raise taxes, but does not have the votes to override a Pawlenty veto. Thus, the Dems do nothing, abdicating the decision to Pawlenty. An irresponsible Dem legislative hissy fit does not make for a GOP gubernatorial "dictatorship."
The unallotment statute is not a constitutional provision that is absent from other state constitutions. The Dem legislature can repeal what it enacted. However, even if the unallotment statute did not exist, a governor out of necessity would have to decide how to allocate a shortfall in revenues absent legislative action. This is not dictatorial, but one of the duties we elect an executive to perform.
When you get right down to it, Bart's whole argument is a red herring. Suppose states did what he wants, limited spending to law enforcement, schools and roads and (naturally) had lower taxes as a result. What would happen when a severe economic downturn hit? Well, revenues would still fall as a result, so the states would still be faced with the choice between raising taxes and cutting services, just as they are now.
Apparently you haven't thought it through. Sure, the legislature, with almost a 2/3 majority, could pass a repeal. Which Pawlenty would veto. Obviously, if they could repeal the law, they could overturn the veto on the tax bill, so they wouldn't need to repeal the law. I presume, from the dead silence in answer to my question, that no states have anything more likely to force a compromise than Minnesota's constitution. In that case, I suggest hoping that you aren't cursed with a governor with national ambition. Or you can elect someone who hasn't signed a pledge that basically leaves no room for compromise.
Enlightened Layperson:
Suppose states did what [Bart] wants, limited spending to law enforcement, schools and roads ... You have a point, but I suspect that Bart doesn't want to spend money even on education. The RW tends to say (as others have pointed out above): "It's myyyyyyyy moooonnnneeeyyy", and they want to spend [or not, as they're feeling that day] on things that personally work in their favour. And one thing that is personally not in their favour is educating Other People's children, who might then compete for college slots that belong to their children or get jobs that were meant for their own spawn.... No. Public education is not in the RW's list of civic virtues. When it comes right down to it, the selfishness exhibited to the Nth degree by the RW -- which makes for the ever-present budget squabbles and schizophrenic fiscal gummint policy -- is what makes trying to run a gummint hard. They don't want to "get along". Cheers,
The San Diego Union Tribune had a great op ed yesterday pointing out all the reasons why the voters are not to blame for California's fiscal mess (except indirectly, I guess, by sending Democrats and RINOs back to Sacramento every two years).
Enlightened Layperson said...
When you get right down to it, Bart's whole argument is a red herring. Suppose states did what he wants, limited spending to law enforcement, schools and roads and (naturally) had lower taxes as a result. What would happen when a severe economic downturn hit? Well, revenues would still fall as a result, so the states would still be faced with the choice between raising taxes and cutting services, just as they are now. If you keep taxes, redistributions and regulations low, creating a favorable business climate, a state's economic and tax revenue downturns are less severe. Compare CA and CO for example. However, under any tax and spending regime, a wise state will create rainy day funds to avoid imposing economy killing tax increases during a recession.
However, under any tax and spending regime, a wise state will create rainy day funds to avoid imposing economy killing tax increases during a recession....
Absolutely right. That's why George W. Bush was terribly irresponsible in decrying Al Gore's "lockbox" and insisting that it was immoral for the government to run surpluses with "your money" in 2000. We should have been saving money in the last 10 years as we were in the 10 years before that. Instead, Bush ran such a huge deficit that when Obama needed to confront a slowdown, he had to increase deficits even more to outrageous levels.
There is no provision in the US Constitution to maintain a rainy day fund as there are in many state constitutions. In the good old days of the Gingrich surplus, there was serious discussion of whether it would be lawful for the federal government to hold surplus revenues in a mythical Social Security lock box after the debt was paid off. That being said, a provision for a rainy day fund in a federal balanced budget amendment would be a very good idea.
In the good old days of the Gingrich surplus, there was serious discussion of whether it would be lawful for the federal government to hold surplus revenues in a mythical Social Security lock box after the debt was paid off....
There was no such discussion. Actually, Bush-- who wanted to spend the Clinton surplus on tax cuts and Medicare prescription drugs-- had political allies argue that it would be UNWISE for the government to pay off the national debt because that would force the government to own private securities (despite the fact that it already does so). But nobody EVER argued that setting aside government surpluses was illegal. And we should have done it. Instead, Bush tore apart everything that Clinton (and yes, Gingrich too) had so carefully constructed. And that has made our current problems worse.
Does our resident LLB* note:
"In the good old days of the Gingrich surplus, ...." with his tongue in cheek - or elsewhere? Details, please. Of course we know that Gingrich has had a trove of trophy wives over the years and that the Eye of Newt may still be roving. But exactly what is the "Gingrich surplus"? Were those the "good old days" of the Clinton Administration? Or was it Gingrich's surplus of chutzpah? And by the Bybee, exactly why did Newt resign? *Little Lisa's bro
If you keep taxes, redistributions and regulations low, creating a favorable business climate, a state's economic and tax revenue downturns are less severe.
This is a statement of religious belief which also happens to be egregious nonsense. Boom & bust cycles are more severe, not less, under laissez-faire regimes. Bart's tenacious pollution of these comment threads is sufficient evidence of his mental illness.
**Whoops. Here's a cite to a quizzical speech by Charles Murray which serves to illustrate my point.
There are no laissez faire states. Rather, states with more or less onerous government taxation and economic restrictions - the relatively free vs. the relatively unfree. Arthur Laffler wrote a report entitled "Rich States, Poor States," comparing the economic performance and migration patterns between 1997 and 2007 of the relatively free vs. the relatively unfree states and the differences are stark. The productive are fleeing unfree states to the free states and fueling far more rapid growth in the gaining states. As for the ability to weather national recessions, compare the latest unemployment rates in Laffler's top ten free states and bottom ten unfree states: MOST FREE: 1) UT 5.2% 2) CO 7.4% 3) AZ 7.7% 4) VA 6.8% 5) SD 4.8% 6) WY 4.5% 7) NV 10.6% 8) GA 9.3% 9) TN 9.9% 10) TX 6.7% Avg. by State: 7.29% LEAST FREE: 1) NY 7.7% 2) VT 7.1% 3) RI 11.1% 4) ME 7.9% 5) NJ 8.4% 6) OH 10.2% 7) IL 9.4% 8) CA 11.0% 9) PA 7.8% 10) HI 6.9% Avg. by State: 8.75% The only double digit unemployment rate in a top ten free state is NV, which was one of the handful of states that was part of the mortgages mess. Also, the unfree states are very likely ameliorating their unemployment rates somewhat as even more of their citizens leave looking for jobs in more business friendly states.
Is it cherry-picking season already? When the data point chosen is a "top ten" versus a "bottom ten" using a carefully-chosen metric, it's pretty obviously cherry-picking that you are seeing.
After all, natural variance, and the differences between the industries and businesses among the state, couldn't possibly account for the tiny difference in a highly volatile measure like the official "unemployment rate" in the middle of a massive recession... I'm sure the highly educated people working on the cutting edge of technology are flocking to SD, WY, and TN. I, myself, won't be leaving the local area to look for work there, as I know from long experience that the opportunity in those places is pathetic, but I'll wish my competition bon voyage. While it will be uncomfortable to live in a dictatorship, it will pass in a couple of years, and the backlash is likely to present opportunities outside the culture of corporate greed that Laffer and Moore worship. (Bart, notice the spelling of the name of that first author.) I'd like to thank Mattski for his link. That link led me to another link to an article which described "Donner Party Conservatives", which pretty accurately captures the soul of the conservative viewpoint as presented here by Bart -- although I think he's more of an "I got mine" conservative.
Two of my first blog posts were inspired by Murray's sppech.
http://justthinking-s.blogspot.com/2009/03/grass-is-greener-and-more-authentic.html http://justthinking-s.blogspot.com/2009/03/well-that-was-rant.html
Paul Krugman's OpEd in today's NYTimes has some worrying thoughts on California's situation and its implications upon the nation.
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Books by Balkinization Bloggers Frank Pasquale, The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information (Harvard University Press, 2015) Bruce Ackerman, We the People, Volume 3: The Civil Rights Revolution (Harvard University Press, 2014) Balkinization Symposium on We the People, Volume 3: The Civil Rights Revolution Joseph Fishkin, Bottlenecks: A New Theory of Equal Opportunity (Oxford University Press, 2014) Mark A. Graber, A New Introduction to American Constitutionalism (Oxford University Press, 2013) John Mikhail, Elements of Moral Cognition: Rawls' Linguistic Analogy and the Cognitive Science of Moral and Legal Judgment (Cambridge University Press, 2013) Gerard N. Magliocca, American Founding Son: John Bingham and the Invention of the Fourteenth Amendment (New York University Press, 2013) Stephen M. Griffin, Long Wars and the Constitution (Harvard University Press, 2013) Andrew Koppelman, The Tough Luck Constitution and the Assault on Health Care Reform (Oxford University Press, 2013) James E. Fleming and Linda C. McClain, Ordered Liberty: Rights, Responsibilities, and Virtues (Harvard University Press, 2013) Balkinization Symposium on Ordered Liberty: Rights, Responsibilities, and Virtues Andrew Koppelman, Defending American Religious Neutrality (Harvard University Press, 2013) Brian Z. Tamanaha, Failing Law Schools (University of Chicago Press, 2012) Sanford Levinson, Framed: America's 51 Constitutions and the Crisis of Governance (Oxford University Press, 2012) Linda C. McClain and Joanna L. Grossman, Gender Equality: Dimensions of Women's Equal Citizenship (Cambridge University Press, 2012) Mary Dudziak, War Time: An Idea, Its History, Its Consequences (Oxford University Press, 2012) Jack M. Balkin, Living Originalism (Harvard University Press, 2011) Jason Mazzone, Copyfraud and Other Abuses of Intellectual Property Law (Stanford University Press, 2011) Richard W. Garnett and Andrew Koppelman, First Amendment Stories, (Foundation Press 2011) Jack M. Balkin, Constitutional Redemption: Political Faith in an Unjust World (Harvard University Press, 2011) Gerard Magliocca, The Tragedy of William Jennings Bryan: Constitutional Law and the Politics of Backlash (Yale University Press, 2011) Bernard Harcourt, The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order (Harvard University Press, 2010) Bruce Ackerman, The Decline and Fall of the American Republic (Harvard University Press, 2010) Balkinization Symposium on The Decline and Fall of the American Republic Ian Ayres. Carrots and Sticks: Unlock the Power of Incentives to Get Things Done (Bantam Books, 2010) Mark Tushnet, Why the Constitution Matters (Yale University Press 2010) Ian Ayres and Barry Nalebuff: Lifecycle Investing: A New, Safe, and Audacious Way to Improve the Performance of Your Retirement Portfolio (Basic Books, 2010) Jack M. Balkin, The Laws of Change: I Ching and the Philosophy of Life (2d Edition, Sybil Creek Press 2009) Brian Z. Tamanaha, Beyond the Formalist-Realist Divide: The Role of Politics in Judging (Princeton University Press 2009) Andrew Koppelman and Tobias Barrington Wolff, A Right to Discriminate?: How the Case of Boy Scouts of America v. James Dale Warped the Law of Free Association (Yale University Press 2009) Jack M. Balkin and Reva B. Siegel, The Constitution in 2020 (Oxford University Press 2009) Heather K. Gerken, The Democracy Index: Why Our Election System Is Failing and How to Fix It (Princeton University Press 2009) Mary Dudziak, Exporting American Dreams: Thurgood Marshall's African Journey (Oxford University Press 2008) David Luban, Legal Ethics and Human Dignity (Cambridge Univ. Press 2007) Ian Ayres, Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-By-Numbers is the New Way to be Smart (Bantam 2007) Jack M. Balkin, James Grimmelmann, Eddan Katz, Nimrod Kozlovski, Shlomit Wagman and Tal Zarsky, eds., Cybercrime: Digital Cops in a Networked Environment (N.Y.U. Press 2007) Jack M. Balkin and Beth Simone Noveck, The State of Play: Law, Games, and Virtual Worlds (N.Y.U. Press 2006) Andrew Koppelman, Same Sex, Different States: When Same-Sex Marriages Cross State Lines (Yale University Press 2006) Brian Tamanaha, Law as a Means to an End (Cambridge University Press 2006) Sanford Levinson, Our Undemocratic Constitution (Oxford University Press 2006) Mark Graber, Dred Scott and the Problem of Constitutional Evil (Cambridge University Press 2006) Jack M. Balkin, ed., What Roe v. Wade Should Have Said (N.Y.U. Press 2005) Sanford Levinson, ed., Torture: A Collection (Oxford University Press 2004) Balkin.com homepage Bibliography Conlaw.net Cultural Software Writings Opeds The Information Society Project BrownvBoard.com Useful Links Syllabi and Exams |


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20" X 30" Entry Mat - Duke
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Technical Specs
Weight: 4 lbs.
Dimensions: 20IN X 30IN X 1IN
Warranty: 1 year limited
Manufacturer: Syntec Industries
Mfg Part #: DUEM2310
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Repairing Chipped Teeth
Tooth bonding is used in several different ways, but is probably most useful for repairing chipped teeth. Bonding materials (high-density, space-age plastics called composite resin) and porcelain--are more natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match the surrounding teeth making it difficult to discern there ever was a broken tooth.
Transitional bonding is used for anything from a mock-up to a full-mouth rehabilitation. It's called transitional because it allows the patient to transition into more permanent dentistry as he or she can afford, or as the treatment sequence demands, and it allows the dentist time to work out any bite related and esthetic issues. Transitional bonding is an important tool in the skillset of an accomplished cosmetic dentist.


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Dance all night in comfort! This orthotic flip-flop helps relieve back and foot pain. The Vionic Ramba is a casual women's wedge heel thong sandal with braided straps.
Vionic Ramba Natural Synthetic Women's Sandal
Features include:
For the greatest comfort, we recommend wearing your new Orthaheel footwear or orthotics for just a few hours for the first few days to allow your feet to adjust to the new level of orthotic comfort and support. Within one to two weeks you should find the product completely comfortable and supportive.
Great shoe. I have worn vionic shoes for a couple of years now. Usually flats but I wanted a little dressier look and these did not disappoint.
A shoe that has it all!
Stylish and comfortable! What else can you ask for?? Love these sandals!
I bought two pairs of this shoe: one in black and this one with the varied brown/silver/bronze straps. This is a great shoe..pretty, a little height (which works very well with pants), and still giving the excellent orthoheel support. Love these!!
I purchased this style, because I wanted something with a bit of a heel and something that would look a little more sophisticated....while still getting the benefit of the orthoheel. And this show met all of these "requirements." It is a lovely shoe! I have transitioned into wearing only Vionic Orthoheel shoes; I credit these shoes with helping solve my heel pain..and hopefully preventing another painful, fairly debilitation bout!
The braiding on this sandal is very fashionable. I like the metallic and white combo options. The deeper heel bed is very comfortable, and these are easy to walk in for hours.
Most "good for me" shoes aren't very pretty, but these are an exception. They are stylish without hurting my feet or back and even have a small wedge heel. They have a solid, dark brown suede-type insole surface that is a big improvement over previous Orthaheel sandals. Previous sandals had a variegated pattern overlaid on a rubbery insole, which wore off quickly.
Braids are super popular in your hair...well why not have that look on your shoes. This super cute, trendy sandals are perfect for summer. Great to dress up a somewhat casual outfit without wearing a full on high heel, plus you get the support of Orthaheel technology.


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It's the moment when two become one for a lifetime. It must be special, it must be beautiful. With stunning decor and a distinguished ambiance, our ceremony venues offer a location worthy of this priceless moment.
Your reception commands a venue which instills a lively and festive ambiance. Our reception venues have been selected for their versatile ability to brilliantly accommodate small receptions or grandiose galas.


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Calculate your monthly mortgage payment using the free calculator below. A house is the largest purchase most of us will ever make so it's important to calculate what your mortgage payment will be and how much you can afford. Estimate your monthly payments and see the effect of adding extra payments.
A mortgage calculator can be used for purposes other than estimating a new mortgage payment.
Mortgage experts predict what will happen to rates over the next week -- and why.
An online mortgage calculator can quickly predict your mortgage payment and amortization schedule.
Using an online mortgage calculator can help you quickly and accurately predict your monthly mortgage payment with just a few pieces of information. It can also show you the total amount of interest you'll pay over the life of your mortgage. To use this calculator, you'll need the following information:
Mortgage Amount
If you're getting a mortgage to buy a new home, you can find this number by subtracting your down payment from the home's price. If you're refinancing, this number will be the outstanding balance on your mortgage.
Mortgage Term (Years)
This is the length of the mortgage you're considering. For example, if you're buying new, you may choose a mortgage loan that lasts 30 years. On the other hand, a homeowner who is refinancing may opt of a loan that lasts 15 years.
Interest Rate
Estimate the interest rate on a new mortgage by checking Bankrate's mortgage rate tables for your area. Once you have a projected rate (your real-life rate may be different depending on your overall credit picture) you can plug it into the calculator.
Mortgage Start Date
Select the month, day and year when your mortgage payments will start.
(Optional) Extra Payments
First, click on "Show Amortization Schedule" to use the "Add Extra Payments" functionality of Bankrate's mortgage calculator to find out how you can shorten your term and net big savings by paying extra money toward your loan's principal each month, every year or even just one time. To calculate the savings, enter a hypothetical amount into one of the payment categories (monthly, yearly or one-time) and then see how much interest you'll end up paying and your new payoff date.


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Celebrate the holidays in style by sending chic holiday party invitations created exclusively for Minted by talented independent designers. Whether you're organizing a company party, an intimate soiree, or a large gathering of extended family, you'll find an invitation that fits your occasion. Each of our modern holiday party invitations is fully customizable with your favorite holiday colors and personalized greeting. Peruse our complementary holiday menu cards to make your event complete. Our holiday party invitations are beautifully printed on your choice of luxurious signature paper, 100% recycled matte stationery paper or gorgeous pearlescent paper.
Pick your own custom color, free for a limited time. Please click on the custom color icon in the personalization process to select a color or leave comments in the "special design instructions" box. It is important to be as descriptive as possible when specifying your desired color(s). For example:
Please note your custom color will NOT be reflected in your preview. One of our Design Associates will email a digital proof reflecting your desired color scheme.
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World's Toughest Vehicle Gets Couture Fashion Makeover By Paramount Group
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A model poses at the 'World's Toughest Vehicle Gets Couture Fashion... Photo d'actualitéAbou Dhabi,Arts Culture et Spectacles,Horizontal,Mannequin,Pays du Golfe,Portrait,Secteur de la mode,Émirats Arabes Unis,Être célèbrePhotographer Martin DoyleCollection: Getty Images Entertainment 2013 Getty ImagesABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 17: A model poses at the 'World's Toughest Vehicle Gets Couture Fashion Makeover By Paramount Group' at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on February 17, 2013 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The world's toughest vehicle, Paramount Group's 16 tonne Marauder, has received a couture fashion makeover in response to growing public interest for a consumer friendly version. The vehicle was covered in Swarovski crystals and gold, chrome and bronze camouflage, and accompanied by model in matching ballgown. The makeover was undertaken by Gavin Rajah, couture designer to the stars including Beyonce and Cameron Diaz. (Photo by Martin Doyle/Getty Images for Paramount Group)


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View more: Christmas CostumesFlannel Santa Suit is the perfect costume for that Christmas party. Pick this outfit this Christmas and you will definitely be the talk of the party!!
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Destin Vacation Rentals
475 Destin Vacation Rentals were found matching your criteria. These vacation rentals are presented by their owners or managers. Please click on the photos or links below, then contact them directly with your inquiries. Use the search criteria box on the left of the page to refine your search within Destin, Panhandle, Florida, United States.
Explore the incredible beauty of Destin and the world famous white sand beaches. Relax and enjoy your own Destin vacation rental. The selection of
Florida vacation rentals
in Destin fit a variety of budgets. Also, get
money-saving discounts and tips on how to find the best deals
in the Destin area. You'll get a special Welcome email with coupons and discounts after you book. Be sure to visit and bookmark our home page for even more
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Listings 1 - 25 of 475
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8Th Floor Beachfront For 8! Open 5/23-5/30 - Take 10% Off...
3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Destin, Florida, United States
8Th Floor Beachfront For 8! Open 5/23-5/30 - Take 10% Off Now WELCOME TO JADE EAST 850 We want you to truly enjoy your vacation experience he...
$199 - $324 night
$1053 - $3164 week
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Capri by the Gulf 126, Complimentary Beach Service Included!
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
This is one of only 2, 2 bedroom units at The Capri. Recently updated and uniquely decorated, you will surely enjoy your stay. Only a few steps f...
$100 - $230 night
$600 - $1350 week
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Incredible Gulf Views! Bigger 2Br/2Ba with wide balcony. ...
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
Incredible Gulf Views! Bigger 2Br/2Ba with wide balcony. Lots of upgrades! Oh My!!! You'll love our upgraded Sterling Shores condo from the 6th f...
$164 - $352 night
$1000 - $2150 week
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Admirals Club. Cute Beach Cottage with view of the Pool. ...
4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, Sleeps 11
Destin, Florida, United States
Admirals Club. Cute Beach Cottage with view of the Pool. Walk to the Beach! Admirals Club - Destin Beach Home! Walk to the beach or hop on the fre...
$151 - $464 night
$920 - $2840 week
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Shoreline Towers Unit 1021 is just a few steps from the b...
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Destin, Florida, United States
Shoreline Towers Unit 1021 is just a few steps from the beach and Gulf. A 3 bedroom 2 bathroom unit with a king size mattress in the master bedroo...
$185 - $315 night
$1110 - $2640 week
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Amalfi Coast Resort B313 with Gulf Views Just Across from...
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Destin, Florida, United States
Amalfi Coast Resort B313 with Gulf Views Just Across from the Beach! Amalfi Coast Resort 313 is a two bedroom two bathroom, 1,360 square feet Dest...
$96 - $255 night
$580 - $1634 week
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1st Floor Studio, steps from the Beach! Super cute! Priva...
Studio, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 2
Destin, Florida, United States
1st Floor Studio, steps from the Beach! Super cute! Private Beach Access.!!!! Charming studio condominuim with everything you need for an affordab...
$60 - $150 night
$360 - $1000 week
Add to Favorites
Affordable 2 BR Condo Just Minutes from the Beach and Des...
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
Affordable 2 BR Condo Just Minutes from the Beach and Destin Attractions This condo has two bedrooms that comfortably sleeps 6. There?s a FULL KIT...
$90 - $129 night
$492 - $903 week
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Shoreline Towers 2084 - Charming and relaxing
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
This is a two Bedroom unit. the master bedroom has a king bed. There is two full beds in the guest bedroom. Sleeper Sofa is a double size. There i...
$150 - $235 night
$900 - $1890 week
Add to Favorites
Jetty East 520A, Beachfront condo! Watch the Fireworks fr...
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
Destin, Florida, United States
Jetty East 520A, Beachfront condo! Watch the Fireworks from your Balcony! Come to Jetty East and enjoy our newly renourished beach! Outstanding ...
$90 - $210 night
$500 - $1300 week
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Gulf Winds East 52, Views of the Gulf and Pool!
2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
Spacious and Roomy is the best way to describe these townhouses! Enjoy the ocean breezes from either of the 2 balconies or porches or take a sho...
$100 - $240 night
$600 - $1350 week
Add to Favorites
Emerald Dunes #505
4 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, Sleeps 12
Destin, Florida, United States
1,914 Square Feet Bed Sizes:First FloorFirst Bedroom – KingSecond Bedroom – (2) FullsHallway – Twin BunksSecond FloorThird Bedroom (Master) – King...
$294 - $769 night
$1765 - $4615 week
Add to Favorites
Crystal Dunes #201
3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, Sleeps 12
Destin, Florida, United States
1,845 Square Feet Bed Sizes:Master Bedroom-KingSecond Bedroom-QueenThird Bedroom-(2) FullHallway-Twin BunksLiving Room-Queen Sleeper Sofa4 TVs4 DV...
$195 - $494 night
$1170 - $2965 week
Add to Favorites
Special Offer
Feb 28 - May 16 FREE POOL HEATING (a $175 value) for all Spring 20 ...
Luxury 5Br, 3King Suites, Heated Pool, Gulf Views
5 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, Sleeps 14
Destin, Florida, United States
My wife and I know how hard it is to select the PERFECT rental house when all you have to go on are a few outdated pictures and a description that ...
$1975 - $6375 week
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3 bedroom/2 bathroom unit
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Destin, Florida, United States
3 bedroom/2 bathroom unit Unit Description: Each of our condos is fully furnished and fully equipped for your comfort and convenience. All of our ...
$270 - $435 night
$1890 - $3045 week
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Beachfront Luxury For 8! Open 5/23-5/30 - Take 10% Off!
4 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Destin, Florida, United States
WELCOME TO SIGNATURE BEACH 802 Before I talk about the condominium unit, let me first tell you a little about the location. It?s smack dab in ...
$490 - $490 night
$2042 - $5631 week
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Capri by the Gulf 120, Complimentary Beach Service Included!
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
This cute condo in this gated complex is the perfect getaway place! Come here once and you will always want to return to the Capri. Enjoy the sun...
$100 - $230 night
$600 - $1350 week
Add to Favorites
4Br/2Ba with Private Pool! Walk to the Beach! Sleeps 11! ...
4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 11
Destin, Florida, United States
4Br/2Ba with Private Pool! Walk to the Beach! Sleeps 11! Dog friendly! Looking for a vacation rental with a private pool close to the beach? Dolph...
$156 - $409 night
$900 - $2500 week
Add to Favorites
Pelican Beach #1408
1 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
Vacation to Destin, Florida and have an amazing vacation to this one bedroom condo at Pelican Beach. Wake up to the sound of the tides and the unb...
$106 - $283 night
$635 - $1695 week
Add to Favorites
Capri by the Gulf 108, Private Balcony overlooking the Gulf!
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
Destin, Florida, United States
This end unit has its own private deck to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Enjoy your coffee while watching and listening to the waves lap up on the...
$125 - $275 night
$750 - $1650 week
Add to Favorites
Perfect family getaway. Intimate in size, yet Grand in He...
2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Destin, Florida, United States
Perfect family getaway. Intimate in size, yet Grand in Heart. Private Beach!! The yard is large enough to throw a football, play horseshoes and vo...
$100 - $145 night
$600 - $1015 week
Add to Favorites
Beach Villas at Destiny #10A
1 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
Destin, Florida, United States
Enjoy a great trip to the beach when you stay at this lovely one bedroom villa located on the second floor. The beach is just across the street, a ...
$81 - $210 night
$485 - $1260 week
Add to Favorites
Managers Special on Shoreline Towers Unit 1095 - Located ...
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
Managers Special on Shoreline Towers Unit 1095 - Located on the beach !! 2 Bedrooms. King bed in the Master, 2 Queen beds in the Guest. Sleeper ...
$150 - $235 night
$900 - $1890 week
Add to Favorites
4Br/2.5Ba Cottage only 100 yards to the Beach! Sleeps 11!...
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom, Sleeps 11
Destin, Florida, United States
4Br/2.5Ba Cottage only 100 yards to the Beach! Sleeps 11! Nice! Destin Beach House Rental! Dramatic 2 story Living Room with open hall upstairs! ...
$147 - $464 night
$895 - $2840 week
Add to Favorites
Beautiful Condo! Gulf Front! Open 5/23-5/30 ~ Take 10% Of...
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Destin, Florida, United States
Beautiful Condo! Gulf Front! Open 5/23-5/30 ~ Take 10% Off Now WELCOME TO TOPS'L BEACH MANOR 908 Relaxed Elegance, inviting, inspired by the tex...
$162 - $273 night
$841 - $2213 week
Add to Favorites
Listings 1 - 25 of 475
This map is intended to be used as a reference only.
Please confirm the exact location with the property owner or manager.
When you're searching for
Destin vacation rentals
don't forget to look for one that is nearby plenty of amenities for watersports. There are lots of different ones to choose from along the Emerald Coast. Whether you're an expert in the water or just a novice, whether you want your time on the water to be fast and adventurous or calm and relaxing you'll find fun things to do in the water in Destin.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Because Destin's water is deep so close to the shore, it attracts a wide variety of marine life. From playful bottlenose dolphins to brilliant yellow angel fish, from Loggerhead Turtles to Manta Rays, the submerged world is teeming with beautiful underwater creatures, and you can become a part of that world. There are several professional scuba diving and snorkeling crews throughout the Destin area. You can easily arrange equipment rental, instruction and dive trips. Canoeing and Kayaking There are plenty of opportunities for canoeing and kayaking in this part of the
Florida Panhandle
. Some Destin condos even have their own private docks leading to the water. The Choctawhatchee Bay is a great place for putting your canoe or kayak in.
If you want the thrill of fast action on the water you can rent a four-stroke waverunner and have a blast with one of Destin's ultimate watersports. You must be 22 or older to ride a waverunner, or else have a state approved boating license.
Pontoon Boats
If you prefer your time out on the water to be a little more relaxing, why not rent a pontoon boat. You and you friends and family can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and picnicking on the nearby sandbars in the comfort of your own boat.
This unique sport will give you a whole new perspective of the beautiful Emerald Coast. Once you try it you'll gain an astounding panoramic view of Destin's sun-soaked beaches. Rent a state-of-the-art parasail boat for you and your friends with triple, double or single flights. Boats are driven by an experienced captain to ensure you are safe and have a great time. Parasail boats depart from
Destin Harbor
and can carry up to twelve passengers.
YOLO boarding or paddle boarding is a fun new sport that involves standing on top of a longer version of a traditional longboard and using a paddle to move across the water. Both a relaxing activity and a good workout, YOLOing has often been likened to performing "yoga on water."
The best time to enjoy surfing in Destin is during the spring, autumn and winter. Though there are generally a few days of surf during the summer months, the Gulf is usually quite calm and flat. If you are surfing during the winter months you will need to wear a wet suit as the water will often get quite cold.
Art Community
If you have an artistic bent and you are looking for Destin condos and
Destin vacation rentals
close to creative communities, look no further than Highway 30-A.
Scenic Highway 30-A
extends from Destin to
Panama City Beach
and is sprinkled with artistic communities, each with their own unique flair.
Blue Mountain Beach
One of the creative hotspots is the
Blue Mountain Beach
area. The local was so named by explorers who from their ships saw what appeared to be blue mountains on the shore of northwest Florida. When they came ashore they realized that they were not mountains at all, but sand dunes covered with the indigenous blue lupine flower. This laid-back beach is famed for its cozy cottages, eclectic cuisine and the Timpoochee Trail. It is also an artist retreat. Blue Mountain is home to renowned artist
Justin Gaffrey
, renowned for his extravagant blobs of vibrant sculptured paint on canvas. His paintings capture the stunning landscapes and marine life that is native to the Emerald Coast region. Gaffrey began his career as a painter after working as a chef for many years. In 2000 he was inspired by a
folk painting and attempted to paint in a similar style. From them he never looked back, and now paints every day using his own unique primitive folk style.
Seagrove Beach
Seagrove Beach
is another haven for artists. The location gained its name from the dense grove of oak trees that line the beach. This unique seaside community has much to offer. Eastern lake is a great place to watch the tiny fish and enjoy the calm water. It is also a great spot for landscape painters and sketch artists. There are a number of vacation rentals that cater specifically to those with an artistic bent and the evening sunsets are unsurpassed in their beauty; a must for all artists whatever their medium. When you're ready to put down your brushes you can enjoy browsing the local stores. For inspiration explore the
Roland Day Art Gallery
. Day's paintings comprise an eclectic mix of vibrant, mixed-media abstract paintings on canvas, nudes in many forms and religious paintings. Day works with an impasto texture in a style that evokes Georges Roualt.
Artists At Gulf Place
You will find this cooperative of eight artists at
Santa Rosa Beach
. The creative endeavors consist of hand-crafted pottery by Dwight Ward, John Hollan's photography, painted windows by Chastane, Kris Ogden's wild textiles, mixed media art by Sally Sisters, Maxine Orange's bright, abstract paintings, Patti Scholtterlein's art made from reclaimed materials and jewelry by La Vie Est Belle. As well as viewing and purchasing art from this team of creative, visitors can also enjoy hosting your child's birthday party at Gulf Place, where the kids can participate in tie-dying and face painting. You can also attend one of their many creative workshops. You can read about more fun, exciting and interesting "off the beaten path" activities on Highway 30-A on the Perfect Places
vacation rental blog
Destin Weather and General Area
Known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," Destin, Florida has long been a popular holiday destination. There are many resorts offering Destin condos and
Destin vacation rentals
throughout the summer months. Whether your stay is a long weekend or several weeks, you will enjoy the superb sugar-white sand beaches, world-renowned fishing and world-class golf courses that make this coastal city unique.
There's no need to worry about the weather in Destin. The Emerald Coast enjoys a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Though the winter months are relatively mild, there is just enough of a temperature fluctuation of signify the passing of four seasons. Summer high temperatures range from 80 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, making this the perfect time for dipping into the crystal waters. Average annual rainfall is only 50-75 days so you can enjoy blue skies on most days. Best of all, the Gulf of Mexico is warm enough to swim in all year round.
If you're looking for somewhere to stay, Destin has plentiful resorts that offer luxury condos, beachfront rentals, snug hotels and apartments. All have full amenities and will make your vacation a memorable one. Whether you choose from Destin condos or other Destin vacation rentals, the city is a welcoming place for the whole family. There are many child-friendly resorts with plenty of attractions including museums, parks and aquariums, not to mention all the beaches, so you can be sure your kids will spend hours on fun-packed activities.
When you're in the mood to shop, Destin has no shortage of options. Destin commons is a focal point of activity combining a selection of stores with restaurants and movie theatres. You can also stop by the Silver Sands Factory Stores to check out the latest designer-brand outlets and grab a bite at one of the many eateries.
If you're a golfing enthusiast you will love Destin. The city boasts more than ten world-class golf courses including the scenic Baytown, Burnt Pine, Raven, and Links at Sandestin Resort and the semi-private Emerald Bay and Kelly Plantation. If you're heading to Florida for Golf, there are a number of Destin condos and vacation rental packages at the golf resorts.
Destin is a lively city with many events taking place throughout the year. Throughout May and June, you can enjoy live concerts every Thursday at The Village Green of the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. From June 1st-4th Destin celebrates the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival in memory of the scoundrel of the seas William Augustus Bowles. The event has live music, pirate grub, games for the children and fireworks. You'll never forget Fourth of July in Destin. Fireworks and activities for kids and adults abound. Live music extravaganzas begin on most beaches on July 1st and continue through to the 4th. Act 4 Murder is a delightfully funny comedic murder mystery troupe who perform original murder mystery or comedy productions for dinner theatre. You can catch their weekly shows in Destin and Sandestin from early June through late August.
More than 23 miles of white sandy beaches extend along Florida's Emerald Coast, where the shoreline meats the crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This unique sand is composed of pure Appalachian quartz and has the ability to stay cool even in the subtropical heat of Florida's summers. By reflecting sunlight up through the surf, it gives the waters the emerald green color that defines them. Once a small fishing village, Destin has now grown to a world-famous holiday resort. It's easy to find
Destin vacation rentals
and Destin condos overlooking the sugar-white sand beaches and emerald colored water.
Rosemary Beach
Rosemary Beach
is a piece of paradise located between Panama City and Destin on the northwest Gulf Coast. This neo-traditional town can easily be reaches by car and is just a thirty minute drive from the
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
. Developed in 1995, Rosemary Beach is comprised of a 107 acre, town built on the Gulf shores. The long stretches of pristine beach are covered in sugar-white sand and enjoy year-round mild temperatures. The sands are usually not too crowded and you can enjoy the natural beauty and the complimentary architecture. The beach has many amenities including parks, tennis courts, dune walkovers, pools and shopping.
Santa Rosa Beach
This is one of the area's most tranquil beaches. Named one of the "10 Best Beach Destinations for 2011" by Yahoo Travel,
Santa Rosa Beach
is located on the Emerald Coast between Destin and Laguna. This locale is famous for is beach and golf club where guests can spend the afternoon on the links and after enjoy dinner and drinks overlooking the crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Fort Walton
There is no shortage of things to see and do at
Fort Walton Beach
. Visit the Heritage Park and the Temple Mound Museum to get a taste of Native America's past. This family friendly beach offers many attractions including year-round fishing and golfing as well as nature trails along the coastal dune landscape.
Inlet Beach
Inlet beach has a relaxed atmosphere and a welcoming vibe for all visitors. Located at the eastern edge of
South Walton
, this area is comprised of an eclectic mix of contemporary multi-storey homes and quaint beach cottages. You can spend the day fishing from the Gulf or take a meandering walk round the streets, stopping to grab a meal of fresh, local seafood from one of the local restaurants.
Grayton Beach
First developed in the 19th century, Grayton Beach was the first of the communities of South Walton. You may feel you have travelled back in time as you walk down its streets paved with oyster shells, past the old wooden homes surrounded by oak trees. A town with a quaint and cozy character, Grayton has a range of charming rental cabins as well plenty to do at
Grayton Beach State Park
. Enjoy hiking through this scenic area and canoeing or kayaking from the public dock on Western Lake.
Fishing is one of the most enjoyable sports on the Emerald Coast, so when you're getting ready to look for
Destin vacation rentals
, remember to check out the nearest fishing opportunities. Destin is not called "the world's luckiest fishing village," for nothing. It is home to one of the most expansive deep sea charter boat fleets in the United States. Boats can be chartered by individuals, companies or groups. Destin Harbor has a number of companies offering boats for hall-day and full day fishing trips. Because its location is close to an offshore shelf within the Gulf of Mexico, the waters are always teeming with a diverse variety of species of fish. Once you try fishing in Destin, you'll be hooked.
Pier Fishing
You don't have to have a boat to enjoy fishing in Destin. The Emerald Coast waters are home to many fish that can by caught from the beach pier and jetty. The best time for this type of fishing in the Gulf is from April through October. For pier and jetty fishing you can use, frozen, live or artificial bait to catch Blue Runner, Sheepshead, Pompano, Sail Cat, Bluefish, Redfish, Channel Bass, Whiting, Cobia, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel and Bonito.
You can enjoy year-round fishing in the Choctawhatchee Bay, where you can expect to find Bluefish, Flounder, Channel Bass, Speckled Sea Trout, White Trout, Redfish and Sail Cat, Blue Crabs area also common along the bay's shore.
Bottom Fishing
Destin's fishing fleet specializes in bottom fishing and you can participate all year round. Boats can be chartered for a whole day, a half day and overnight. Party boasts which accommodate 25-105 passengers are also available for all day and half-day excursions. When you bottom fish you can expect to catch Amber jack, Scamp, Snapper, Cobia, Trigger, and Grouper.
Inshore Trolling
The season for inshore trolling runs from March through to November, commencing with the spring run of Cobia. It can also produce catches of Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel and Bonito. Boats for inshore trolling trips can be chartered for all day and half day excursions.
Offshore Trolling
Offshore trolling takes place beyond the 50 fathom curve, approximately 27 miles southwest of Destin. Fishing in this area can produce Dolphin Fish, Wahoo, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, and Billfish.
Fishing Tournaments
From March to October Destin hosts a wide range of fishing tournaments including the World Cobia Tournament in March, The Pinfish Classic in May, September's Annual King Mackerel Classic, and the Destin Fishing Rodeo in October. The rodeo kicks off with the Destin Seafood Festival where seafood aficionados can sample many deep-water seafood dishes including fried alligator, shark kabobs and crawfish cheese bread. It's a great event for all the family.
Fishing Licenses
All Florida residents and visitors must have a saltwater fishing license unless they are fishing form a chartered boat which holds a Vessel saltwater Fishing License.
Dolphins You won't want to miss out on the Destin's delightful marine life. Destin harbor is home to one of Florida's most alluring marine animals; the bottlenose dolphin. You can enjoy watching these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat while taking a glass-bottom boat trip, a tour-guided wave runner excursion, sailing on an old-fashioned sailing ship or taking a modern, family dolphin cruise. Whichever you choose, you won't forget these delightful creatures and your excursion can be captured for posterity on video. You can read about dolphin cruises on our
vacation rentals blog
. Crab Island Crab Island is a must-see while you're staying in your Destin vacation rental. It's easy to find on the bay side of the bridge adjoining Okaloosa Island to Destin. What makes Crab Island so fascinating is that is not actually an island at all; it's almost all underwater. The depth ranges from knee to shoulder-high, which makes it the perfect playground for splashing around. You can enjoy walking around the small sand bar, and the water is calm enough here for children to play in. Why not rent a jet ski and enjoy the surrounding waters or go snorkeling? There's even a floating hamburger bar nearby. (Shelling) Sea Shells If you enjoy shelling, you won't be short of Destin vacation rentals to choose from. Destin's beaches are very popular with shelling enthusiasts, probably because the 100-fathom curve touches closer to Destin's shores than anywhere else along the Gulf Coast. This makes it one of the world's top five shelling destinations. Destin and the surrounding area offers many dive shops which cater for snorkeling and scuba adventures as well as themed excursions such as deep sea fishing, lobster and shell classes. Check out our
vacation rentals blog
for more tips on cruises. Spas After a few days soaking up the sun on Destin's beaches there's nothing better than a trip to the spa. The area is home to a number of day spas close to many Destin vacation rentals, such as The Edge of Paradise, The Art of Relaxation and the Spa at Emerald Cove. These are all close to Destin's vacation rentals and you can enjoy a number of enervating and rejuvenating treatments such as hot stone and Swedish massages, and facials. Ensure you always look perfect on the beach with a new summer hairstyle, manicure, pedicure and body waxing. Many spas also have facilities such as steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis so where you can relax your body and your mind. Shopping In recent years, the Florida Panhandle has become one of the Southeast's primo shopping destinations. Why not take a break from the beaches and spend a day checking out the wide range of shops the area has to offer. There are a number of shopping centers that cater to many different tastes. If you are looking for a mixture of retail, eateries and cinemas, you will find it at Destin Commons. If designer outlets and factory stores are more to your taste, look no further than Silver Sands Factory Stores. Whichever you choose, in Destin you can certainly shop till you drop! Flea markets or street markets/Harbor Walk Florida visitors who stay in Destin vacation rentals often enjoy a trip to Harborwalk. Located on Route 98, the village is a shopper's haven that is packed with retail outlets, entertainment and activities for all the family. As well as waterfront shopping you can find water sports, pontoon and boat rentals, firework extravaganzas and live entertainment. If you enjoy flea markets you won't be disappointed. Just a short drive away, Fort Walton Beach is famous for is flea market which is open 7 days per week. There, you can search among a treasure trove of used books, vintage closes, antiques and collectables. Transportation to Destin There are a number of options for travelling in and around Destin. The nearest airport is the
Northwest Florida Regional Airport
, located in Fort Walton Beach. This is only a 25-minute drive from Destin. Another option is Panama City Beach Airport (PFN), though this is not a conveniently close as Fort Walton. To travel from the airport to your accommodation you can use the Sunshine Shuttle if you choose not to rent a car. Watch out for traffic on Saturday's as it can get particularly hectic coming into the city. Taxis can be expensive, particularly during the tourist season. Transportation in Destin Hiring a car to reach your Destin vacation rental is a simple as making a phone call. Cars can be picked up from the airport and dropped off or collected when you are done. As an alternative, Okaloosa County Transit service runs buses throughout the Destin area from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. during the summer months, with shuttles arriving at designated destinations every 20 minutes. If you want to really travel in style, why not rent a limousine from 654 Limo? The company offers luxury services with professional drivers 24 hours a day to and from anywhere in the Panhandle region. Restaurants No one takes a vacation in Destin without sampling the area's deliciously fresh seafood, and there is no shortage of choices. You can try the eclectic menu at the Marina Café; "Destin's Most Awarded Restaurant," or for more casual fine dining and a menu offering pizza and steak as well as local seafood, check out the Café Thirty-A. Destin's La Paz Restaurante and Cantina combines mouthwateringly fresh seafood with southern Tex-Mex cuisine. The Smiling Fish Café is a great family-run restaurant where you can take the kids and enjoy the local seafood, Angus Beef and signature salads. Nightlife There's always something to do at night in Destin. If you're looking for a choice of live bands or a DJ spinning tunes you can get down to, check out The Swamp. If you want a more relaxing atmosphere, visit Harbor Docks for a taste of local food, jazz and country music and meet owner and local character Charles Morgan. The Angler's Sports Bar is a great place for a night out with the boys, with its two 9-foot projection TVs and 14, 32 inch TVs. For something totally unique, try the White Sands Party Bus. Hire a limo bus for you and up to 24 friends to party on with two dance rooms, dance poles and separate sound systems. Best places to buy fresh seafood While staying in your Destin vacation rental, you will need to know the best places to buy fresh seafood so you can enjoy the mouthwatering local fare. Dewey Destin Seafood is a popular favorite and has two locations at Crab Island and Destin Harbor. It offers a host of fresh, local seafood including crab and tuna appetizers and steamed shrimp, scallops and crab by the pound. If you want to prepare it at home then visit Sexton's Seafood or Destin's Ice and Seafood, both of which have a wide range of outstanding local seafood and shellfish. Eco-tourism Florida has a number of beach ecotourism locations; perhaps the most popular is Sandestin, home to many Destin vacation rentals. Sandestin is also a regular nesting site for the amazing Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles. They come ashore to lay their eggs in April and May and the young turtles hatch in August and October. If you enjoy cycling and want to help the environment, the Sandestin bicycle tour takes place in May of each year, and the proceeds go towards the Alaqua Animal Refuge. This project is an independent non-profit organization that provides shelter and helps to prevent pet overpopulation.
Off Season in Destin
September to Spring Break (around March) is generally considered off season in Destin. And if you're looking for a lot of heat, you might want to travel even further south or try a
Caribbean vacation rental
. But if you enjoy cooler nights, warm days and the sense that you "own the place," off season in Destin is something you'll probably enjoy. Many Destin vacation rentals offer cheaper rates during off season and the crowds are gone, which means you'll have beaches and restaurants more to yourself. Many, if not most, amusement attractions stay open, though you may find some closed. Shop owners will be glad to see you, so you'll get personal treatment. Call ahead as you plan your itinerary. While the ocean temperatures drop steadily during the fall and winter, it still feels warm to snowbirds, no matter how cold it feels to Floridians. An added bonus: the humidity that Florida is famous for virtually disappears during the fall and winter. It's one of the reasons northerners started coming to Florida in the winter decades ago.
Find additional Vacation Rentals:
Destin Vacation Rentals
Panhandle Vacation Rentals
Florida Vacation Rentals


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WOW factor ranking – Top 100 in Sweden
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GStreamer on TI DaVinci and OMAP
The focus of this GStreamer effort is high performance streaming using the hardware accelerators exposed by the Davinci Multimedia Application Interface (DMAI). Get involved by making the DMAI GStreamer a higher performance more capable plug-in, improve the plug-in to better comply with GStreamer standards, or show cool ways to use the plug-in.
Here are some project ideas to get you started:
Performance analysis – there are lots of hardware subsystems involved when streaming with DMAI. gst-libtrace does a great job showing some performance characteristics. Adding a means to monitor DSP CPU, DSP memory, DMAI utilization, and other hardware utilization will help the plug-in developers to better tune the software.
Automated build – add the DMAI GSreamer plug-in to an automated build system so that as check-ins are made to trunk, images for each target hardware get created making regression testing easier.
Automated test – Using images from an automated build, run a set of regression tests on each platform to verify the software is only getting better.
Arago / Open Embedded based build. Create / enhance recipes for building DMAI GSreamer for each of the supported processors.
Create a detailed how – to. If you are new to DMAI GSreamer and are going to start by installing a Linux distribution on your desktop with the goal of building DMAI GSreamer, take good notes and create a wiki page containing what you learned.
Create a GStreamer application that uses DBUS to control the pipeline. The idea is to simplify using GStreamer by separating it from the logic controlling the media experience. Basically enforce the model-view-controller pattern by interacting with the streaming systems via simple messages, such as play this file, pause, fast forward type messages to the pipeline and end-of-stream type events back to the controller.
Simple audio streaming and video streaming - As the basis for other projects.
IP camera - using QT, WebKit? based the server capabilities of Cherokee for example.
Video phone - audio/video in/out on two leopard boards talking to each other.
Picture frame - use video out to show pictures on SD card.
Embedded web server controlling playback of mp3 files on SD card.
Simple motion detection. Calculate the average color of an image (or some other simple algorithm) and when it changes too much, declare motion must be happening.
Video and audio recording on SD card.
NetCam? for baby monitor and similar remote surveillance.
RTSP server example for streaming synchronized audio/video.
Extend Phonon to support DMAP GStreamer pipeline.
Add support for peer allocated buffers to minimize frame copy operations.
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Taste of the Neighborhood
Before I moved to Los Angeles, I pictured the city as most people probably do, full of freeways and sprawl and plastic surgery clinics and unnatural sheen. It's true; we have plenty of those things. But that's not my LA. My LA is the land of secret stairs, of meandering walks, and hillsides laden with nasturtiums and wild fennel. My LA is expansive yet charming, urban yet natural … and, if you know how to look, filled with growing things to nibble on.
Today my neighborhood walk takes me up and down three of Silver Lake's historic staircases (originally built in the 1920s so pedestrians could reach the city's streetcars) as well as some of my usual detours into abandoned and empty lots. The sounds of civilization are never far off, yet I can almost get lost in these hills as I peek around new corners and check on my favorite spots for edible weeds or public fruit.
Everywhere spring is evident, from the soft young fennel fronds to the verdant miner's lettuce and patches of wood sorrel humming with the dance of bees. It's because of these all-important bees that I pluck just a few of the bright yellow sorrel flowers. As much as I love their tart, lemony flavor, I'll leave them for the pollinators.
Foraging for a morning snack isn't a necessity for me; I have a well-stocked pantry at home a few blocks away, and I'm still learning about all the local creatures that truly rely on these plants for food, shelter, and egg-laying habitats. Yet it does fill my spirit to at simply taste what grows around me, to become closer to my environment and have it become part of me in such a direct way.
As my walk draws to a close, I sit on my favorite hillside overlooking the neighborhood and tuck into this week's treats: nasturtium leaves and blossoms, dandelion leaves, fennel fronds, cleavers, wood sorrel leaves and blossoms, and miner's lettuce. My "salad" needs no dressing, as the flavors are so vibrant on their own: peppery, bitter, sweet, tart, green. I play with my food, eating the leaves and flowers in various combinations to create new tastes – each little bite a different expression of LA.
{Note: If you decide to forage yourself, make absolutely sure you know how to identify what you're picking. In urban environments, you also want to avoid roadsides and dog pee (or worse!). I will share some recommended foraging resources and field guides in a future post.}


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When your Giants hit the field, you're the loudest fan in the stands, cheering for your New York Giants with that fiery team spirit! Next time you do that, cheer for them in style by wearing this comfy tee from '47 Brand. This soft raglan shirt features team colored sleeves, a distressed team name printed across the front and a Giants logo printed at the left sleeve. The rival team won't be able to take such team pride.
- 100% Cotton
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You're a lifelong Padres fan and nothing or no one can ever change that. Show your passion for the Padres wherever you go with this San Diego Property Of T-Shirt by Majestic. This Authentic collection T-shirt features a printed Padres wordmark along the chest with "Property Of" lettering above it and "Baseball" lettering underneath the team name. With this comfy tee, there will be no denying which team owns your heart, soul and spirit during the baseball season.
- 50% Cotton/50% Polyester
- Imported
- Officially licensed MLB product
- Rib-knit collar
- Screen print graphics
- Tagless collar
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game
or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are
received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items
are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite
number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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