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Opinion

When Did the ‘F*ck Your Feelings’ Crowd Get So Triggered?

By Joe Berkowitz, The Daily Beast, June 5, 2023. Being a conservative these days sounds emotionally exhausting. At any given moment, you might find out, for instance, that your favorite light beer sent a brew to a transgendered influencer and get so mad about it you have to film yourself using that beer for target practice. Or you

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Opinion

The “Free” State of Florida?

Are you been confused by the DeSantis rhetoric about the “Free State of Florida”? Is it hard for you to see how censorship of reading materials, restrictive abortion laws, permitless concealed carry provisions, and anti-gay, anti-trans legislation passed this year make us free? Well, New York Times columnist, Jamelle Bouie, explains the new Republican Four

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Economy

A list of lawmakers’ ‘haves’ and their ‘needs’

The following Letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on May 29, 2023. Before they’ll honor our IOUs and to save money, Republicans want to impose more work requirements on our most vulnerable citizens, most of whom are already working, if able, at minimum wage jobs, if they can get them, with

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Opinion

Ron DeSantis’s ill-conceived campaign — The Florida governor tries to take on Trump without offending MAGA.

By Scot Lehigh, Boston Globe, May 26, 2023. Ron DeSantis has finally thrown his hat in the presidential ring, but, alas for the Florida governor, these days that particular chapeau looks more like a political klutz’s clown cap than a refulgent Reaganesque Stetson. That his scorn-the-mainstream-media announcement became a glitch-fest staged in Elon Musk’s Twitter

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Analysis

DeSantis’s anti-woke laws can’t stand up to the First Amendment. They’re still dangerous — The silencing has begun

By Kimberly Atkins Stohr, Boston Globe, May 19, 2023. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s anti-wokeness crusade to trample on the First Amendment with a series of state censorship laws aimed at everything from college administrators to Mickey Mouse is a sure loser. After all, when one of the most conservative appellate courts in the nation agrees

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Analysis

Far right sets its sights on gutting the Constitution

Russ Feingold, Boston Globe, May 23, 2023. The far right has been conducting a multiyear stealth campaign to persuade state legislatures to pass legislation asking Congress to call a constitutional convention. The past few years have seen the rise of a modern American authoritarian movement in this country. The people driving this movement, the Steve

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Republicans

I liked Ron until he crowned himself king

The following letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on May 23, 2023. In 2018 I was impressed by Ron DeSantis. I thought “Finally! Someone grounded with common sense and no grievances.” In 2022 re-elected, then, he grabbed headlines by shipping immigrants from Texas to Massachusetts. Why? It’s not ours to deal

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Housing

‘Affordable’ housing issue is far from solved

The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on May 18, 2023. OUR POSITION: Despite a bill passed by the Legislature to boost affordable housing, the challenges to do so remain. There is ample talk when it comes to the housing crunch here in Florida and nationally. However, we worry about whether all that talk about

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Health Care

Maybe Florida should restrict sale of Viagra

The following Letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on May 20, 2023. Who controls women’s reproductive decisions? Seventy of Florida’s legislators and Governor DeSantis have decided that the Florida Legislature should control the reproductive decisions of all women in the state of Florida. It appears that our legislators will not be

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Economy

How to use the debt ceiling to inflict cruelty on the poor

By David Firestone, a member of the New York Times editorial board. Published in The New York Times on May 17, 2023.   Seen from outside Washington, the debt ceiling battle might seem like an abstract argument between the political parties over federal spending and deficits. But for millions of low-income Americans who depend on

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Opinion

Republican club’s spot on front page a waste

The following Letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on May 17, 2023. An article about the Sarasota Republican Assembly Club, a fringe group, was on the front page (May 10, 2023) of The Daily Sun. The Sarasota Republican Party leadership doesn’t even acknowledge this “organization.” This group still supports the Master

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Florida Legislation

DeSantis will travel in secret

The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on May 17, 2023. OUR POSITION: A new law further erodes Florida’s sunshine laws by hiding the records on when and where Gov. Ron DeSantis travels. If our governor goes missing for a few days, don’t worry. His whereabouts are being protected for his own good. That’s

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Environment

How about One Planet, One Water?

The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on May 13, 2023. OUR POSITION: Water quality is such an important issue that numerous entities must work together to ensure Southwest Floridians can feel secure their water is clean, safe and in abundant supply. A recent editorial board meeting with members of the Peace+Myakka Waterkeepers reminded

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Florida Legislation

Dispatch from the future about the Sunshine State

The following satirical editorial was published in The Daily Sun on May 15, 2023. Life sure has been a lot simpler here in the Free State of Florida since all political power has been consolidated in Tallahassee. Yes, it’s a shame that it took until 2034 for Gov. Tucker Carlson to assemble the super-duper-majority needed

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Florida Legislation

10 ways DeSantis is making LGBTQ, Black and immigrant communities feel welcome in Florida

Editor: The following opinion article contains satire. Read with caution 🙂 By the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Editorial Board, May 15, 2023. Some LGBTQ, immigrants rights and Black advocacy organizations have made a great show of issuing national “travel advisories” to warn, well, members of the LGBTQ, immigrant and African American communities that visiting the state of Florida could put their safety

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Essay

$1000 scholarship awarded to Lemon Bay High School graduate

On Monday, May 8th, the Englewood Democratic Club presented its first “Living Democracy Award” to graduating Lemon Bay High School senior, Addison Adcock at a ceremony held at the high school.  Ms. Adcock was the winner of the Club’s non-partisan essay contest based on the question: “What Can I do to Preserve and Improve Our

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Charlotte County Democrats

DWC and DEC announce 2023 scholarship recipients

By Kay Blue, President of the Charlotte County Democratic Women’s Club (DWC). The Charlotte County Democratic Women’s Club (DWC) and the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) are excited to announce the recipients of our 2023 Scholarships. This year we have three scholars. The recipient of the annual $1000 Betty Gissendanner Memorial Scholarship is Carmen Galvan-Cuevas from

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Analysis

MEMO: Democrats Could Win a Trifecta in 2024

By  Mike Lux and Celinda Lake, Mike Lux Media, May 12, 2023 TO: Interested Parties FROM: Mike Lux + Celinda Lake RE: Democrats Could Win a Trifecta in 2024 If we do the basic blocking and tackling of great field and GOTV work, and focus on executing an effective strategy for working-class voters, all the

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Opinion

In praise of gerontocracy, experience, wisdom — Don’t get distracted by stereotypes. Judge politicians by their record, not their age.

By Michael Hiltzik, The Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2023 The cry is heard that America has become a “gerontocracy.” That’s supposed to be bad, it’s argued, because our superannuated political leadership is out of touch with the electorate and blocking younger and (theoretically) more vigorous and intellectually vibrant leaders from taking their hour upon

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