Gov. Ron DeSantis wields his administrative power like a spoiled toddler with a chainsaw.
He could care less how his ill-conceived retaliatory actions affect the citizens of Florida. He was elected governor, not king. DeSantis has shown the world that he is an authoritarian strongman. He can only preach freedom for so long before the American people see how he’s stripping it from anyone who questions him. He has demonstrated that he should be nowhere near the levers of power.
If he spent half as much time working to fix the real problems that affect his constituents daily lives as he does harassing and threatening business and citizens, he could make Florida a better place to live. I urge the Legislature to stop rubber-stamping his every whim and do what he won’t, and represent all the citizens of Florida.
Lanny Budd, Fort Lauderdale
There are real issues addressing Floridians, but DeSantis and the Legislature continue their crusade to create the most authoritarian government we have ever known.
The latest example (SB 252, HB 1013) would prohibit private businesses and governments from requiring masks or COVID tests. This intrusive legislation has a section that would require medical practitioners to obtain informed consent before prescribing medications to treat coronavirus, with an explanation of “treatment alternatives,” including those that have no scientifically proven effect against coronavirus, such as Hydroxychloroquine.
Clearly, DeSantis and his toadies in the legislature think they know more than physicians. But requiring medical professionals to provide unscientific information amounts to state-enforced malpractice. But state-enforced intrusions into our personal and private lives is the new norm under DeSantis.
Janet Fiber, Delray Beach
(Editor’s Note: This bill has bipartisan support. Several Democrats have voted for it, including Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book of Davie and Sen. Rosalind Osgood of Fort Lauderdale, voting records show).
We should be reminded that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. To settle this, why not ask Donald Trump’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen whether there’s merit to the charges against Trump. Hell, Cohen got thrown under the bus for following his boss to the brink.
Better yet, ask Melania Trump what she thinks. There’s dirty laundry as far back as when he was in diapers.
Keith Zambrano, Delray Beach
Donald Trump’s rhetoric is atrocious. He repeatedly makes ad hominem attacks on his adversaries.
He doesn’t know the meaning of ethos, logos or pathos. As Carl Sandburg said: “If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and yell like hell.”
Trump built a real estate business. He had a TV show. His “Make America great again” campaign was highly effective with voters.
But just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you’re qualified to be president. He lacks self-control. He called New York City’s district attorney a “Soros-backed animal.” He threatened to refuse to leave the White House after he lost. These latest charges may be politically motivated, but there was ample evidence to bring them. He may face charges in other jurisdictions. Regardless of guilt or innocence, Trump does not have the moral compass to lead this nation.
Steven Weil, Boynton Beach
Kudos to letter writer Charles Terban for his critique of Fox News and its viewers. Fox is rife with dangerous, inflammatory lies and unsubstantiated rhetoric. My only issue with Terban’s critique is that Fox “news” is a form of brainwashing. Such a statement erroneously implies that Fox viewers possess the washable.
Rita Ouellette, Margate
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