Florida: the Road to Authoritarianism

Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, who is running for president, has taken Florida a long way down the road toward authoritarianism.

Florida’s governor appears more expert than Trump in distracting citizens from actual problems by stirring their anger and resentment. He cleverly does so by appealing to fear, racism, and tribalism. Some say he can advance Trump’s agenda without Trump’s baggage.

Instead of addressing Florida’s critical environmental, economic, and political issues, our governor fuels cultural wars. He does so to distract Floridians from his failure to solve problems that are worsening under his watch.

Here is his failure list of omission and commission:

Environmental:

Although he acknowledges climate change, he refuses to take action to stop it with the dismissive comment that solutions are “woke.”

Blue-green algae and red tide blooms are common in Florida. They are exacerbated by runoff and pollution from uncontrolled development, mining, and sewage.

Florida’s iconic springs are polluted. Some have even stopped flowing. Others have reduced flow.

The aquifer is being polluted with mining waste, sewage, and other pollutants.

Economic:

Inflation is higher in Florida’s cities than in most others in America.

Property insurance rates in Florida are among the highest in the nation. The governor’s rubber-stamp legislature has passed laws that favor the insurance companies instead of citizens. Florida had a reasonably successful “Citizens” insurance program until the legislature weakened it.

Florida has the 17th highest homeless rate among the states.

Medical care is unaffordable for many Floridians. Florida is one of 12 states that has not expanded Medicaid eligibility as allowed under Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Political:

Florida now limits citizens’ civil rights by making voting more difficult, obstructing the rightto peacefully protest, banning discussion of Black and LGBTQ issues in the classroom,and intervening in private medical decisions with a 15-week abortion ban. Now, a six week ban is under consideration and will likely pass.

DeSantis has accepted millions of dollars in campaign contributions from corporations and billionaires while allowing them tax breaks and other benefits.

DeSantis has increased taxes on citizens by putting sales tax on online sales.

Florida’s university system is being hurt with limits on what can be taught and changing how faculty tenure is administered. DeSantis seeks to end inclusion, diversity, and equity programs.

1984 Deja vu

In short, Governor DeSantis advances an Orwellian worldview. On his book tour, he sits on a dais with a sign behind him that says “TRUTH.” Truth for him is only his worldview, not objective truth. For him, the words truth and freedom have a different meaning than is commonly accepted by most citizens.

He will not tolerate other views and passes laws to limit them. Freedom for him is not how most citizens understand it. Most people believe freedom means to be left alone from the government except as necessary for the common good. He pushes for government interference in all aspects of our lives, even the most private areas such as health care, when it advances his viewpoint.

DeSantis tolerates no dissent. He shuts down those who disagree with him using government power even if his action is unconstitutional. He fires duly elected officials without cause and limits the free press.

Florida’s governor and his rubber-stamp legislature epitomize creeping authoritarianism. As veterans, we know that our forebears fought and died fighting it. Now, we’re watching it take root and metastasize in our state. We must act now to stop its advance.

We must all register to vote and encourage our friends to do so, which is a good first step. Educate yourself and others. We must all work together to turn the authoritarians from office at every opportunity.

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