The Sunshine State offers snow birds, an escape from the frigid temperatures of a New Year, locals, an intermediate break from mind numbing heat and humidity, and a defiance of the “new normal.” Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, addressed the legislature on the “State of State” this afternoon touting, “While so many around the country have consigned the people’s rights to the graveyard, Florida has stood as freedom’s vanguard.” Later the Governor continues, “Florida is a free state. We reject the biomedical security state that curtails liberty, ruins livelihoods and divides society. And we will protect the rights of individuals to live their lives free from the yolk of restrictions and mandates.” This harangue was received with standing applause from a mask-less house on what appeared both sides of the aisle.
I just returned from a week in my old stomping grounds, Tampa Bay, and the fashionable term, “Open for Business” was acknowledge and recognized when I found the owners of my rented apartment, on the water, kindly putting me on the honor system; leaving the keys and a note before they had received payment or a vaccination status. During March of 2020, when the chaos first developed, I could feel a fear of uncertainty in the gas stations and at Publix; limiting customers to one bread choice and toilet paper, fueling a mindset of scarcity. Two years later that anxiety has dissipated, along with the red tide. The 43yr old politician and only hope of besting Trump for the Republican Presidential Nominee, switched his rhetoric hype to an optimistic outlook on the horizon, “Florida has stood strong as the rock of freedom. And upon this rock we must build Florida’s future,” DeSantis declared to cheers.
The Governor spoke of thriving revenue yielding Florida a $15 billion surplus towards his $99.7 billion 2022 budget. “Florida also leads the nation in business formations, which have increased by 61% since I took office in 2019,” in short, don’t worry, “Freedom works. Our economy is the envy of the nation. And the state is well-prepared to withstand future economic turmoil,” Captain Ron billowed to his state legislator.
Amy Baker, economist, and coordinator of Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research known as EDR, had a different perspective on the numbers; as she too addressed Florida’s representatives of the People. “We do have growth, in fact, very strong growth…largely, that’s tourism starting to come back. The question is, if you have some very strong growth rates, what’s the problem?” said Baker. She answers her question stating, “We went so low [in terms of revenue] in 2019-2020…that even with strong growth rates…you don’t get back to where you where were.” The $6 billion in Federal Aid last year may not reload as the seconds in a day, it can’t be counted on. With winter comes hosts of Co-vid from gloomy Mid-West states and a prediction from economist Baker has Medicaid $700 million higher!
I suppose Freedom isn’t Free but Governor DeSantis can win “Hearts and Minds,” connecting with Joe six-pack and Vicki the vapor, “Inflation is an invisible tax. It represents a pay cut for individuals and families alike,” DeSantis sympathetically spoke, purposing $1 Billion gas holiday. Democrats may have no choice but to endorse the youthful governor to the River Styx because a as Bill Maher says, “He’s like Jaws, circling out there.” Will the apprentice slay the emperor with the help of the Donkey’s? Can states flex their biceps at muscle beach in the face of Federal opposition, remaining sovereign to the extent granted upon them? Can the oldest constitution remain in sync with the bond that built the Union? I believe we will have our answer at Freedom Fest, November, 2024.
If anything, it’s long overdue and blasphemous not to make the 2nd Tuesday of November a national holiday for the experiment that kicked off the Free World. That’s a platform that every American can get onboard with. Let’s start with easy wins that unite our Freedom from the sticky swampy Everglades to the majestic character of Mt. Rainer. My favorite President, the 3rd, was a Democratic-Republican. The conquer and divide technique is apparent through talking points that trigger emotional responses but what American doesn’t feel the struggle of Francis Scott Key with goose bumps at moments that Unite Us as a Nation, A People, an Identity through Stars and Stripes, that We Believe in each other to from a more Perfect Union; a Peaceful Prosperous Kingdom of Freedom?
