DeSantis is king of the vengeful power grab, courtesy of cowed Republican lawmakers
Gov. DeSantis is playing a game of smoke and mirrors with Floridians. His announced goal is to cure Florida of the reported ailments of the border crisis, election fraud, critical race theory, “trendy ideologies” in education like gender ideology and queer theory, indoctrinators hiding on every corner and every classroom, diversity initiatives at public universities. The list goes on.
Part of the public eats up what he’s saying and cheers him on. The other, including the Herald Editorial Board, is outraged with the almost daily barrage of manufactured crises (save for the one at the border). As the Editorial Board recently argued, DeSantis is a master of distraction. What gets lost in all that smoke he creates are the true impacts of DeSantis’ policies.
Whether you’re urging him on or screaming at the top of your lungs, you’re likely overlooking how much power DeSantis has concentrated in his own hands, and the hands of future governors. He’s getting plenty of help from lawmakers, who just gave him the ability to transport migrants from anywhere in the nation, along with $10 million from taxpayers, no questions asked. They also made it easier for the state to pursue election fraud cases without having to go through locally elected prosecutors.
This consolidation of power in Tallahassee predates DeSantis. For years, lawmakers have passed so-called “preemption
TROUBLING TIMES
There are two nonpartisan issues that should have all Florida residents alarmed.
One is the book banning going on in our schools. Democracy dies a slow death when government interferes with freedom of speech.
The other issue is legislation being debated about doing away with permits to carry concealed weapons.
Aren’t we putting police officers in danger when anyone without training could be carrying a weapon? Are residents going to feel safer when lots of people carry firearms into supermarkets, malls, parks, beaches, restaurants, the movies — basically everywhere?
These are scary times in our state.
– Mayra Gallor,
West Kendall
A YEAR OF WAR
Americans, for the most part, see Europe as a tourist destination, a place to enjoy diverse cuisine and classical architecture. Seldom is Europe seen as the massive battleground it once was, where millions died in two world wars, including hundreds of thousands of our own soldiers.
Travel to Ukraine in Eastern Europe, mere hours by car, and the landscape changes from comfort and commerce back to the tumult of war.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion, we are reminded that liberty has its vulnerabilities. It is never fully insulated and at times must be defended against aggressive force.
Had the United States and its coalition partners not intervened by providing military and economic assistance, a sovereign democratic European nation would not have survived. This unwavering solidarity is an unmistakable acknowledgment that the fight for freedom extends beyond the borders of Europe’s second largest country.
– Jim Paladino,
Tampa
SUPPORT BAYLINK
I completely agree with Neisen Kasdin’s Feb. 15 op-ed, “Baylink will lure young professionals to live, play on Miami Beach.” I support and use public transportation. I also remember opinions from years ago about “those people.”
I only hope that in 2023, the elected officials have the courage to support Baylink and do what is best for the residents and visitors to our area.
– Linda Miller,
Miami Beach
BOB MCFARLIN
bills” that prevent cities and counties from enacting their own regulations, usually ones that powerful special interests don’t like. Under DeSantis, that phenomenon is happening with unprecedented speed, benefiting mostly the state’s chief executive.
The latest example of that comes with suspicious timing.
After public outcry, the Florida High School Athletic Association nixed a proposal to force female athletes to disclose to schools information about their menstruation. Just a week later, the Republican-controlled Legislature advanced a bill that would put DeSantis in charge of appointing all the members of the association’s governing board. DeSantis tried to take over the FHSAA, a private entity, last year, as originally reported by journalist Jason Garcia, but lawmakers didn’t go for it.
It’s also interesting that DeSantis and Republicans — selfappointed defenders of parental rights — were unusually quiet about the proposed menstruation requirement. After all, it was parents in Palm Beach County who first raised privacy concerns over having to turn over that information to schools when athletic forms migrated online.
The real danger here isn’t just in what may happen at the FHSAA if, and when, DeSantis takes over. The true danger lies in how lawmakers have enabled the executive power to be in control and monitor the most granular aspects of the workings of Florida’s institutions with little accountability.
Since the legislative branch has abdicated its responsibilities, the only check and balance left are the courts, and we know how that expensive that is.
PETTY DICTATOR
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ strong-arm tactics, combined with compliant Republican state legislators, certainly epitomize Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jimmy Breslin’s quote, “A small man in search of a balcony.”
– Lois Kahn, Coral Gables
STUMPED
I’m an educated old white guy who voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980 because Jimmy Carter wasn’t up to the job. I supported Reagan’s policy toward Cuba.
I just don’t understand why folks who fled authoritarian governments now view guys like Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis as protectors of democracy?
I guess my education failed me regarding logic.
– Ed Robertson,
Jacksonville
D.C. DYSFUNCTION
There is a complete disconnect between Washington, D.C. and the rest of the United States. Washington’s spending is out of control, with almost zero results for the American people.
The Ohio train derailment and the Chinese balloon fiasco are examples of Washington’s gross dysfunction. Wake up, Washington, and focus on fixing America’s problems.
ALEX MENA
It takes great courage to call out this type of power grab when it’s coming from your side of the aisle. However, is no Republican is up to that task?
To the Floridians who are egging the governor on, think of what could happen if the tide turns, and you don’t like the next person in the governor’s mansion. If DeSantis continues to amass power, it will be too late to reverse course. That is what gets obfuscated by DeSantis’ smoke and mirrors.
Buyer beware. Where are our tax dollars going, and who is minding the store?
– Fleta Anne Stamen,
Miami
SO DISCOURAGING
Our state legislators (at least the Republicans) are no longer representing the people. They are merely a rubber stamp for an ambitious governor using Floridians as a springboard to the national scene.
How can any Florida taxpayer want their hardearned money spent on immigration relocation anywhere in the country?
However, the governor wants it, so his minions in the Legislature give it to him.
Aren’t there one or two more pressing issues in the state that require the use of our tax money to address, such as the cost of homeowner insurance and affordable housing?
Spending state tax dollars anywhere the governor sees fit is inappropriate, unjust and, perhaps, illegal. Our state Republican legislators are not doing their jobs; they are just doing what they are told.
A “super majority” Legislature, with a strongman governor, is not accountable to anyone until 2024.
– Marsha Broad,
Miami
DANA BANKER WHAT’S UP THERE?
How can we shoot down objects about which we have no intelligence?
Has anyone come forward and asked, “Why did you shoot down our research object? When will you pay us to replace it, plus the cost of the interruption of our research and communications?”
How can any one be so brash and ignorant to destroy something just because a similar object was a probably a spy vehicle?
There was no indication the other two objects were a threat. Shooting them down cost us at least $500,000 each — and we missed once, even more of an expense. Again, we do things that make us the laughing stock of the world.
When will we grow up?
– Barry J. White, Kendall
WHY WORRY?
A recent letter writer correctly worries about Gov. DeSantis meddling in the education delivered by our public schools. Don’t worry.
If the governor and his eager enablers in the Legislature have their way, public schools will cease to exist, as all money in the education budget will be siphoned into vouchers. – Sylvan Seidenman,
Miami
TRAGEDY OF FLORIDA
Is it true that in Florida, school kids can’t read Shakespeare because Othello is a Black guy?
– Jack Heinsius,
Modesto, CA
MEAN STREETS
According to the Feb. 16 story “Craving a chicken sandwich? Chick-fil-A opens another Dade eatery,” the City of Miami Gardens is known for the Sunshine State Arch, which is just off the Palmetto Expressway.
Does the city believe this structure is a must-see for visitors?
I have traveled under this structure daily for 32 years to my job in the industrial park. The city, perhaps, is better known for discarded yellow police crime scene tape.
– David Kupferman, North Miami Beach
TOE-TAPPER
Twitter bug: A way to dance around the truth.
– Barry Levy, Miami