Florida legislature--listen up

The speaker and the legislative leadership are playing a dangerous game with our democracy. Texas is showing that authoritarian rule—as demonstrated in Texas by holding Democrats captive and voiceless, with no negotiation—only sits well with an exceedingly small base, and the power-hungry leadership. This attempt to lock in one-party rule is not democratic.

Governor DeSantis has made it clear he wants more power—perhaps the presidency—and in accommodating the desires of Trump, he is merely currying favor, a means to the end he desires. One could say his behavior makes him look weak; I would be crass, and call him whorish.

The American people, including Floridians, watching the debacle in Texas, are learning much. Here in Florida, I blame our substandard educational system for the lack of understanding about gerrymandering. But seeing Trump’s use of the military against our citizenry, and his obvious willingness to do anything and everything to remain in power, merely emphasizes how the powerful are seeking nothing short of complete control of the citizenry. While you may think the forging of Alligator Auschwitz to please Trump is seen as a positive step for you and DeSantis, I think you are misreading the room.

I urge you to temper your desire to support the wannabe dictator and listen—really listen—to your constituents. In this time of unrest and uncertainty, I don’t think you are going to find that voters want to spend even more taxpayer dollars to battle an irregular, if not illegal, gerrymandering effort. Even if you win, you may find you have—as in California—poked the bear.