Webster's Dictionary defines a demagogue as "a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power."

In 2007, the Florida Legislature succumbed to the popularity of new governor Charlie Crist and adopted the self-proclaimed "People's Governor's" plan for lowering homeowners' insurance rates and property taxes. I lobbied against that bill, trying to explain the peril it was going to create for the Florida property insurance market. I was unceremoniously educated on how things worked in Tallahassee. It was explained to me that Crist had run on a platform of lowering homeowners' insurance rates and property taxes, and that it was quite clear that everyone had to get on board. The people had been told what they wanted to hear, and their desire to be served was clear.

You do not have to search very far to find quotes from 2007 talking about how rates were going to "drop like a rock." The people loved hearing it. Many also loved hearing the People's Governor later say that he was glad that State Farm wanted to leave Florida because it had "some of the highest rates in the state anyway."