By Diane Roberts
Ron DeSantis never passes up the chance to be spiteful, petty, and craven.
He’s ordered the flags, which should still be flying at half-staff to honor President Jimmy Carter, be raised to full-staff, celebrating the inauguration of a felon and adjudicated rapist, the second most powerful person in the world.
After President Musk, of course.
But that’s Florida government for you: If there’s a total jerk move to be made, they will make it.
DeSantis has demanded lawmakers come to Tallahassee next week for a special session to administer another dose of poison to the American ideals of liberty, generosity, and justice.
When Donald Trump gears up his mass deportation operation, DeSantis wants Florida to be ready to round up anybody who looks like an “illegal.”
And since he’s forcing the Legislature to convene, why not pretend to do something about the annoying way citizens put constitutional amendment proposals on the ballot, do “something” about hurricane relief, and look at what’s referred to as the “condominium crisis.”
Lawmakers will not, you notice, address Florida’s astronomical insurance rates, climate change, polluted water, unaffordable housing, or any of the other urgent problems bedeviling us.
Problem is, the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House don’t really feel like coming to Tallahassee in January.
In a Jan. 13 letter to DeSantis, Speaker Daniel Perez and President Ben Albritton basically said, OK, we’ll show up, but we don’t have to do anything you say: “The Legislature, not the Governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider.”
They’re not happy with DeSantis’ high-handedness and habit of blaming them for — among other things — laws increasing condo owners’ maintenance and repair fees, passed after 98 people died in the 2021 Seaside collapse.
Laws he signed.
Moment of Civics: Just because the Legislature has passed a bill doesn’t mean the governor is forced to sign it.
‘Completely irresponsible’
Perez and Albritton criticized DeSantis for not waiting for the regular session in March and not providing bill language, calling it “completely irresponsible” to get out in front of Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations “when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success” of his determination to make this country white again.
Two days later, a petulant DeSantis put out a list of priorities such as tightening voter registration requirements and criminal penalties for any undocumented person trying to crash our elections.
Not that undocumented people are the ones doing that: Most voter fraud in Florida is committed by Republicans.
But why let the truth get in the way of xenophobia?
He also wants to appoint a Florida immigration czar to coordinate with Trump’s send-’em-all-back goon squads.
Moment of Nostalgia: Remember when DeSantis hated that the federal government was constitutionally in charge of immigration instead of the state and resisted any attempts by the feds to do their job?
I guess he’s changed his mind.
There might be a Capitol food fight: Lawmakers may want to show the governor they’re no longer his vassals. He’ll soon be unemployed and they have their own political futures to consider.
But make no mistake: This spat between DeSantis and the formerly supine Republican Legislature doesn’t mean they aren’t equally determined to rid Florida of what they see as the “wrong” people. You know, the ones cleaning the hotel rooms, cutting the grass, picking the tomatoes, putting up drywall, and performing all those other minimum wage jobs “real” Americans are strangely reluctant to do.
You’d think they would notice such a move is likely to wreck the state’s agricultural and construction industries.
Still, pleasing their angry white base and prostrating themselves before their angry orange overlord matters more than fripperies such as the economy.
(But won’t the Trump tariffs lower egg prices and make us all rich?)
Nastiness for nastiness’ sake
Which brings us, as stupid and cruel proposals often do, to Sen. Randy Fine.
In 2014, Republicans in the Legislature acknowledged that undocumented people worked hard, paid taxes, and built productive lives in Florida, and passed a measure allowing DACA kids to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
Randy Fine has filed a bill to repeal that law, attempting to deny affordable college to undocumented young people.
Instead of around $6,000 a year, they’d have to pay $30,000.
Fine not only hates Dreamers, he hates higher education. He’s happy in this instance to push DeSantis’ agenda, although they aren’t exactly pals.
A couple of years ago, Fine thought DeSantis would make him president of Florida Atlantic University.
It didn’t happen. A spitting-mad Fine withdrew his support for DeSantis in the 2024 primaries and jumped to the Trump camp.
Nonetheless, they’re brothers in arms when it comes to nastiness for nastiness’ sake.
The combustible Fine will back DeSantis’ agenda, even as he’s resigning from the Senate on March 31.
Fine’s a shoo-in to take the seat of U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, who’s joining the Trump administration.
The special election is — fittingly — on April Fools’ Day.
We can all look forward to Fine in Washington trying to out-do South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace in performative hatred on the House floor.
Chile!
The bathroom-obsessed representative from South Carolina recently blew up like a cheap cherry bomb when Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas proposed reinstating the subcommittee on civil rights.
Mace ranted about trans women threatening her and, as Crockett tried to answer, deploying the grand old Southernism “chile,” Mace hollered, “I am no child! Do not call me a child!” Then she suggested to Crockett they “to take it outside.”
Randy will need to up his game to compete with that level of epically juvenile brattiness.
Meanwhile back in Tallahassee, Big Ag, Big Building, and Big Tourism worry: When all those without the right papers are back in Venezuela or El Salvador or Honduras, who’s going to do the work?
Condos are sinking: The porous limestone on which most sit gets waterlogged from sea level rise. But instead of the state addressing the climate upheaval that is the root cause of condo disintegration, they’ll shield the builders from real penalties and see that the owners have to pay more, even as their homes cannot be hardened against geological and hydrological realities.
Worst of all, DeSantis and legislative Republicans mean to destroy citizens’ last way to force an unresponsive government to listen.
In 2024, well over half of Florida voters said they wanted legal recreational marijuana and reproductive rights. In most states, that would be a win.
But neither measure reached Florida’s required 60%. Now the governor is trying to make it nearly impossible for ordinary people to mount a petition drive and get an initiative on the ballot.
He calls it “closing loopholes.” Others of us call it killing a democratic process.
This is the country we’re now living in: dictatorial, unrepresentative, and deeply unkind. What will be left of Florida in four years?
What will be left of America?
Diane Roberts is an 8th-generation Floridian, born and bred in Tallahassee. Educated at Florida State University and Oxford University in England, she has been writing for newspapers since 1983, when she began producing columns on the legislature for the Florida Flambeau. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Times of London, the Guardian, the Washington Post, the Oxford American, and Flamingo. She has been a member of the Editorial Board of the St. Petersburg Times–back when that was the Tampa Bay Times’s name–and a long-time columnist for the paper in both its iterations. She was a commentator on NPR for 22 years and continues to contribute radio essays and opinion pieces to the BBC. Roberts is also the author of four books.
Jan says
Well said, Diane.
Seriously? says
You are a very silly woman.
I’m glad you got your rage, despair and total lack of sensibility off your chest.
Let’s make a bet…many undeserved and awful people will leave. Yay!
And how about you?
Where are you going?
Or when? I would really like to read better content on this site.
Laurel says
Please explain, with accurate detail, just where she is wrong. You didn’t do so in your comment. You simply called her a “silly woman.”
Kola says
A safer America where illegal aliens who are wanted criminals deported. Babies who were saved from murder who will grow up to be possible doctors, lawyers, teachers. Sounds great to me! MAGA
JC says
Or the babies can grow up as drug dealers or murderers. Does happen.
Sounds like you live in a bubble.
Ed P says
No wonder liberals are not happy people. The lack of whit and over abundance of anger permeates todays article. Did you know California and New York as well as other states raised flags to full staff for the event? Half the story just sounds better, doesn’t it?
I will defer to Skibums prior post about legalized weed. I’m in agreement with his assessment.
Why shouldn’t our legislators return early to work in Tallahassee, after all everything is screwed up according to Dianne.
Why should illegals be eligible for in state college tuition or grants?
Who among us doesn’t want illegal criminals and bad actors repatriated? If De Santis does nothing and one of them were to injure a Floridian, would he be criticized?
And finally, how can our governor be responsible for 20-30 year old condo issues? He permitted high rises built on limestone??? The homeowners insurance situation is being felt nationally, it’s not just a Florida problem. Watch California.
This entire “piece” may not be out and out misinformation but it’s so misleading that it should be viewed as a sack of bullshit.
Laurel says
Ed P: Do tell. Which political party put the flag up to full mast? Your answer may be the full story.
Big Mike says
The bio of author of this biased based says it all. Educated in Oxford ” A right-leaning think tank has described Oxford as the second-most “radical progressive” university in the UK.” Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Times of London, the Guardian, the Washington Post, the Oxford American. And a commentator on NPR for 22 years and continues to contribute radio essays and opinion pieces to the BBC Nothing else needs to be explained…
Pierre Tristam says
So he says of our best writer. In Jean-Francois Revel’s words, “the triumphalist cult of ignorance in action.”
Laurel says
“Radical progressive” is an oxymoron.
justbob says
Piss poor politicians and low information voters make a bad combination for the state and the country.
Joe D says
Florida voters got what the MAJORITY voted for…or so they thought at the time!
As I have stated in other posts to this site…I give TRUMP 2.0 voters, 18 months after Inauguration Day to realize what a MONSTROUS DISASTER they have unleashed on the FORMER democracy we called the United States of America.
I hope I’m wrong…but given the massive national and international CHAOS Trump 2.0 has unleashed in less that 7 days in office…it doesn’t look like I’m going to be wrong…how UTTERLY SAD.
Tick Tock MAGA….we’ll see how GREAT America is in 18 months…or LESS!
PROVE ME WRONG…I’ll be an honest person, and admit it.
Laurel says
Trump will fix it.
Oh, wait…
Wallingford says
Florida, continuing on the Governor’s egotistical path will be a destination people will avoid. The weather might be better than the Northeast but the liberties sure are not. With book bans, LGBTQ+ Rights deprivation, etc. if you don’t share the Governor’s ideals, you’re in jeopardy.
Frances Koonce says
Mini me wants attention
Endless dark money says
I’d say very fascist and very toxic both with people and with nature. Exactly what people voted for. Oh and it will be the hottest year ever again…. Until the following year.
starryid says
America spoke on November 5, 2024. Love it or Leave it!
Charles says
DeSantis is not a leader he is a follower and will do anything to kiss the ring. He is a terrible governor and continues to prove he needs to find another profession. How about a teacher in a public high school.
Pogo says
@Diane Roberts
Opinions differ — the following, in my opinion, is not much off the mark:
“You have not tasted servitude. There is no land beyond us and even the sea is no safe refuge when we are threatened by the Roman fleet….We are the last people on earth, and the last to be free: our very remoteness in a land known only to rumour has protected us up till this day. Today the furthest bounds of Britain lie open—and everything unknown is given an inflated worth. But now there is no people beyond us, nothing but tides and rocks and, more deadly than these, the Romans. It is no use trying to escape their arrogance by submission or good behaviour. They have pillaged the world: when the land has nothing left for men who ravage everything, they scour the sea. If an enemy is rich, they are greedy, if he is poor, they crave glory. Neither East nor West can sate their appetite. They are the only people on earth to covet wealth and poverty with equal craving. They plunder, they butcher, they ravish, and call it by the lying name of ’empire’. They make a desert and call it ‘peace'”
— Tacitus
https://www.google.com/search?q=Tacitus
Source of aforementioned quote:
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/britannia/monsgraupius/calgacus.html
MakeAmericaGrotesqueAgain
Todd Swinderman says
We know what it would be like. We just went through 4 years of shadow government, censorship and corruption.
Bob says
Love it or vote to make it better!
That’s what loving America is about.
Pierre Tristam says
I like that much better than the hatefulness of “love it or leave it.”
Laurel says
Yeah, that term was used against African Americans when they wanted to be treated like equal American citizens. Then, it was used against hippies when they protested the Vietnam War. I remember both times well. I think it was originally used by American Indians who wanted the invaders of their lands to leave, but I’m not 100% on that one. Regardless, it’s hateful lashing out towards other Americans.
Laurel says
On second thought, I’ll give the American Indians a pass on that one!
JC says
If you believe the ballot process by the voters should be harder, then you believe in the power of big government and corruption.
Ed P says
Joe D,
Just wondering if you can do us all a solid and let us know who’s winning the Super Bowl this year?
Sherry says
@ Charles. . . LOL! Can you just imagine what desantis would have to say to children? Maybe a big dose of rewritten lily white history with no native American or slaves. . . with just a touch of fascism. I’d say he’s more suited to dog catcher . . . LOL!
Endless dark money says
Hahah MAGA tards, enjoy paying more so Bezos has more yacht money. Fly those swatikas proud. Force those rape babies to be born. Foster care loves them and so do the republican pedos like their con leader. Thought and prayers for all those who will suffer under the stains cult policies.
Sherry says
Again, with the low life Maga chest beating, gloating, love it or leave it comments. And you call the Democrats divisive, really?
Judith G. Michaud says
Right on Joe D.! It amazes me how quickly the MAGAS and other foolish voters forgot the mess the Felon left us in after COVID and the cruel detention centers he approved of instead of being humane and following our Constitution! In just a week he has put our country in danger in many ways! He cancelled WHO and we have Bird Flu starting in humans, he has put unqualified people in his Cabinet, he has stopped research on cancer and other diseases, he pulled the cap off insulin and is now trying to change our Constitution regarding birthright citizenship! I could go on and on, but I know everyone is aware of what this psycho is doing and many just don’t care! It amazes me that these people are not concerned about the Felon’s love for Putin. He now wants the Panama Canal, Greenland and Canada and Putin is drooling! People are being blindsided by lies and it is so clear we are headed for fascism ruled by an oligarchy! God help us all !
T says
Starryid and Ed pp you all talk all you want learn what America stands for and Constitution laws and etc I know it’s hard to learn facts you traitors
Land of no turn signals says says
Two months later I’m STILL swimming in woke tears.
Laurel says
The tide will change.
It’s the hypocrisy. says
White supremacy was always here. It was hidden. Reading some of these comments, it’s clear there is a lack of critical thinking and understanding about, well, most things. It’s no surprise we are where we are when the stupid walk among us. Why hold back? They said FJB every day, clearly not losing their freedom of speech, but the limit someone says FDJT, it’s pearl-clutching and gasps from the true snowflakes.
We’re all the children of immigrants. I’m a third-generation American. Dig into your history. You’ll be amazed at what the ancestors got freaky with. A little snippet: one of my grands murdered a Cardinal in the church and helped spark a war, one of my grands was tried and killed for witchcraft, another of my relatives was POTUS, and still others fought against or with the Nazis.
Humanity isn’t perfect. We all want very basic things: happiness, love, support, and the ability to take care of our families. It doesn’t matter what color you are, your sexuality, your gender, your nationality, or your religion. We’re all people seeking a happy life for the little time we have. You don’t want an abortion; don’t have one. You don’t like trans people; don’t talk to them (good luck actually knowing who is and isn’t, though). You don’t like gay sex; don’t have it. The list goes on and on. What rights did you lose under Biden? Zero. Now that your daddy, who took the belt off, is back, look how many people are in danger of losing basic human rights. Now that’s some whiplash hypocrisy. But then again, when you keep the electorate stupid (a majority of Americans cannot read above an 8th-grade level, and a majority of those cannot read above a 6th-grade level), is the outcome all that surprising?
The Trump agenda, I’m sorry, Project 2025, is already a disaster, and it’s only been one week. Prices are going up everywhere on everything. Removing price reductions on common medicines. Gone is the more affordable insulin. Hello, $600 a shot! The stock market is dropping like a hot potato. Lost so much of my 401k that saw massive gains under Biden. Attacking trans people because why? Stop thinking about others genitals. It’s weird AF. They are going to do away with military commissaries and are putting in a system of checks for VA treatment. Starting trade wars because other leaders are standing up to his elementary school bullying.
This is a mess, but here’s the rub—I don’t give a fuck what happens anymore. We get what we deserve, and while some are thumping their chests, they too will find affording things difficult. And for what? You want the freedom to discriminate and misuse the Bible to do so. You want DEI gone. Why? Has it ever dawned on people (white people) that you just weren’t the most qualified? The only thing removing DEI does is put a lot of unqualified white men where they don’t belong. Oh, and Idaho is going after gay marriage. Why? Don’t like gay marriage? Don’t marry a gay. How easy was that? You say they shouldn’t call it marriage or they can’t love, because what, all gay people do is eff each other and don’t possibly build lives together doing the *gasp* same thing as other non-gay couples: work, pay bills, plan meals, watch TV, etc. How scandalous. They’re also going after your birth control (pills and condoms) because casual sex in Project 2025 has no place. Can’t wait to see how the FetLife people handle this one.
You don’t know what you got till it’s gone; it’s this year’s motto. Those that scream about losing rights and freedoms under Biden will actually lose them under Trump. So how many VPN signups happened in Florida so the “conservatives” can log in to PornHub and make lesbian the most searched-for item in this “god” fearing state? A record-breaking amount. Hypocrites. Effing hypocrites.
Laurel says
It’s the hypocrisy: You hit the nail on the head, and hammered it in!
What’s truly sad is, these billionaires, who are effecting our government, and our lives, are so unhappy! They have the money to live their lives, and it just isn’t enough. They want to manipulate ours. They could float in the Caribbean, they could open the best pet shelters, they could provide havens of protection for children, but no, they want to control us, make us poor and subservient. They are not happy in their own worlds, within their own skins.
There is a saying: “Those who are given everything, appreciate nothing.” Or is it: “Those who have everything, appreciate nothing”? Either way, the saying is true.
My husband says we are rich. Here is his definition of “rich”: “We have a roof over our heads, and we can go into the grocery store and buy any food we want.” He’s right! That is rich! We are very fortunate to live in America. Hopefully, we will get over this setback, and continue to be rich.
PDE says
‘It’s the hypocrisy’ nailed it – plain and simple.
H E Davis says
“This is the country we’re now living in: dictatorial, unrepresentative, and deeply unkind. What will be left of Florida in four years?
What will be left of America?”
Thank you Ms Roberts for expressing so succinctly what so many are thinking.
Endless dark money says
To me it’s clear you either support the Nazis or you don’t. I for one do not and will not stand for a flag or sing a pledge while fascist clowns destroy public institutions to line their own pockets. I demand better. Burn it down and build a country that puts people over profits.
Ed P says
Laurel,
The following states raised the United States flag on Inauguration Day as a sign of respect to the office of the President. They lowered them 1 day later to continue honoring president Carter.
Texas
Florida
Tennessee Note: not every state is run by a Republican governor nor
Iowa. was Governor DeSantis being disrespectful as the
Alabama article implied….so now you do have the rest of the
North Dakota story
Nebraska
New York
California
Colorado
Kentucky
Idaho
And at our Capital as well.
PS Apparently Trump was also correct about the origin of Covid 19