Is There A Worse Big State Governor Than Ron DeSantis? Anywhere?

Federal Court Shoves DeSantis' Anti-Woke Nonsense Up His Ass

I’m not going to say he was giddy, but former Orlando Congressman Alan Grayson— currently a candidate for the state Senate— seemed really happy to read that a federal judge permanently slapped down Ron DeSantis’ idiotic signature “Stop Wake” law. Grayson told us that “Thanks to the federal court, the so-called ‘Free State of Florida’ is a little more free, and a little less oppressed by the GOP’s ‘Big Brotherism’ and its Thought Police. Note that we used to have a government that tried to protect us from racism and bigotry. Now we have a government that goes all-out to protect the racists and the bigots— protect them from ever being questioned, much less challenged. We tried to ban bigotry; now the GOP is banning books instead.”

What made Grayson so happy was a report yesterday “delivering a devastating blow” to DeSantis’ attempt, passed by the GOP dominated legislature in 2022, to restrict workplace trainings about race. Until it was put on hold it targetted lessons over subjects like “white privilege… But Florida has never been able to enforce the ‘anti-woke’ law for businesses, since it was quickly sued and ultimately determined by two courts to violate free speech rights protected by the Constitution… Florida’s ‘anti-woke’ policies targeted schools and companies, saying that lessons or trainings that would make a person ‘feel guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress’ due to their race, color, sex or national origin were illegal under the law, FL HB7 (22R).”

The law was initially blocked temporarily in August 2022 by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, who criticized its policies as “bordering on unintelligible.” That ruling was upheld by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March as a three-judge panel slammed the “anti-woke” law for penalizing “certain viewpoints—  the greatest First Amendment sin.”

The DeSantis administration hinted at a possible appeal to the Supreme Court and disagreed with the rulings for determining that “companies have a right to indoctrinate their employees with racist and discriminatory ideologies.”

Attorneys for the state, though, did not oppose a motion by the group of businesses seeking a permanent injunction against the “Stop-WOKE” act, which Walker granted on Friday.

A separate challenge surrounding the how the policies apply to colleges and universities is currently awaiting a ruling in appeals court.

DeSantis’ tenure as governor has been marked from the very beginning by a series of ideological policies that have adversely impacted working families across the state. This one stifled the educational environment, preventing schools and workplaces from addressing and educating about historical and contemporary issues of discrimination. For working families, especially those from marginalized communities, this meant a continuation of ignorance and a lack of support systems that recognize and address their unique challenges.

And, almost needless to say, while DeSantis was distracting everyone with his anti-woke bullshit, he was consistently pushing through economic policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of working families. His tax cuts and incentives for large corporations have not trickled down to improve the living conditions for average Floridians. Instead, these policies have led to reduced public services and infrastructure, which are critical for working families. The burden of funding public schools, healthcare, and other essential services has increasingly fallen on the shoulders of those who can least afford it. The state’s healthcare system has seen significant setbacks since DeSantis was first elected. His administration's refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act has left hundreds of thousands of low-income families without access to affordable healthcare, exacerbating health disparities and placing an undue financial burden on working families who already struggle with high medical costs.

His educational policies have been more about promoting ideological agendas than improving educational outcomes and his emphasis on charter schools and voucher programs diverts much-needed funds from public schools, which serve the majority of Florida’s children. The resulting underfunded public schools are less equipped to provide quality education, further entrenching economic and social inequalities. And he and his administration have shown a clear disdain for worker rights. Efforts to curb union activities and collective bargaining weaken the position of workers in negotiations for better wages and working conditions. Additionally, his policies favor employers' interests over those of the workers, leading to a precarious job market where job security and fair pay are continually eroded.

The worst of his governance is manifested in Florida's housing crisis which has continued to worsen under DeSantis. Rising rents and a lack of affordable housing options have forced many working families into unstable living conditions. The state government's failure to implement effective rent control measures or invest in affordable housing development leaves many families at the mercy of a volatile housing market with a catastrophic insurance environment, probably the worst anywhere in the country.

You probably don’t need me to tell you that environmental policies under DeSantis have favored corporate interests, particularly in real estate and agriculture, over the health and well-being of Floridian families. Pollution and lack of regulation have led to deteriorating natural resources, impacting communities that rely on these environments for their livelihoods and well-being. Like in everything he touches, his policies have consistently favored the wealthy, curtailed essential freedoms, undermined public services, and ignored the pressing needs of everyday Floridians. As working families in Florida continue to struggle under his administration, it’s imperative to challenge and expose the real consequences of his governance to build a more equitable and just society.

Another candidate for state Senate, Ben Braver, told us that “Desantis’ government has shown clearly and consistently that they have no problem with government overreach, if it means enforcing their beliefs. They regulate what we can learn, what we can think, and what private businesses can do! That’s everything I was told the Republican Party stands against. He uses his power to hurt anyone who doesn’t conform to his idea of America. If you are not White, Christian, and Straight he sees you as ‘the other’ as disgustingly diverse. Being against DIVERSITY is literally racist, it’s not even a dog whistle, it’s just literally racist. The people of Florida are tired of DeSantis’ purely cruel and officially illegal policy. That’s why we’re voting for a change this November!”

PLEASE… consider contributing to both Braver and Grayson here.