DeSantis fans respond LOUDLY
In these highly impassioned political times, I guess one can expect strong strident opinions – often based on very limited information. I saw that in the reaction to my suggestion that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis needs a lesson in crisis management. What I viewed as constructive criticism brought about a flurry of comments. As to be expected, some were supportive, some were using the platform to express their own opinion, and some were hostile. Not only did the latter readers disagree with my suggestion, but they also viewed it as an ad hominin attack on DeSantis. And in return mounted their own ad hominin attack on me.
They accused me of being on the other side of the political chasm from them – and DeSantis. Hmmm. Let me see …
Pathfinder referred to me as “another RINO,” “Biden blind boy” … and I should “shut my face.”
JoeyP thinks I am a (sic) “nit wit” who should be fired.
Jerry believes my article had “all the characteristics of DC swamp whining.”
Belinda said I “sound like Liz Cheney RHINO” (not sure what the “H” stands for) – and wondered why I do not own up to being “a leftists CCP democrat.”
Of course, there is an irony in all these overheated responses. They completely misread the commentary and apparently have never read any of my previous ones – and they obviously know nothing about me or my political history. So, I would like to take this opportunity to correct the record.
First of all … like them, I am a staunch supporter of Ron DeSantis. While I voted twice for President Trump in the past, if DeSantis and Trump were competing in the 2024 Republican presidential primary (which I do not think they will be), I currently lean to voting for DeSantis. In the past, I have rated him as by far the GOP’s top prospect as a future president.
So, why all the animus from DeSantis fans? It is the difference between objective analysis and blind loyalty.
I do believe that DeSantis embroiled himself in a needless controversy by banning mask mandates at the local levels. He was not blocking mandatory mandates from the Biden administration (as one reader believed and which I would also oppose), but from mask mandates issued by local agencies and businesses. As a conservative, I like any government rulemaking to happen at the closest level to the people — where they can exert the greatest influence. That is where the debate should take place.
Instead of being the subject of national controversy, the fight between those wanting mandatory masking in schools and public buildings and those opposed would be happening at the local level. The mask-option folks would be fighting with the local school boards and municipal officials. DeSantis would not be involved – and politically, that would be to his benefit.
In terms of the private sector, there is no way constitutionally that DeSantis can ban restaurants and retail stores from imposing mandatory masking requirements – or even proof of vaccination. That is within the rights of the owners and operators. And it is the right of those who object to protest or refuse to patronize such establishments. That is one area in which the government has no authority to intervene – at least a limited government based on conservative values. The left wants the government to settle just about everything, but we on the right prefer to keep the government limited in its interventionism.
Now, as to the personal attacks coming from folks ostensibly in the same camp as me – you know, those “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.”
I am a lifelong conservative in the tradition of President Reagan (politically) and economist Milton Friedman (economically). I have spent years fighting the DC establishment – Democrat and Republican. I am one of the anti-RINOs. I ran the primary campaign against Congressman Adam Kinzinger when he was anointed by the Republican establishment in Washington. I chaired the campaign that defeated the powerful Democrat chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee etc., etc., etc.
Unfortunately, the politics of the day produced a lot of attack dogs – like those noted above. They cannot hold a civil discussion – nor do they care about facts. They just love to pounce on anyone with whom they disagree – even when there is no cause for such hostility.
We can most certainly disagree with DeSantis decision on mask mandates. I side with those who are fighting against mask mandates. I have never been much of a mask wearer – even before the vaccine. I never wore them outside – and only inside when required to do so. I am very pleased that most of the stores and restaurants no longer require them in my area.
I have never understood those who demand total agreement on all issues. Virtually everyone who attacked me for my opinion on DeSantis’ handling of the mask issue would find common cause with me across a broad range of issues. One disagreement and they call me things that I am not – and never was. I have sometimes referred to that kind of response as “political Tourette’s Syndrome” – where a person just needs to shout out irrational obscenities.
And the great irony is that irrational and angry – even vulgar – rhetoric does nothing to advance the cause in which a person believes – or hopes to advance. It is just a verbal version of barroom brawling.
These kinds of angry outbursts have always been on the fringe of political debate, but it seems the Internet has broadened the bandwidth of such stridency – making it a more dominant political mainstay rhetoric. Of course, we would all be better off if we could engage in vigorous political dialogue in a more civil manner – without the pejorative name-calling, false accusations, and inane vulgarities. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen soon enough.
So, there ‘tis.
…and yet…the writer doesn’t even have the courage to admit that the masks don’t work….
Thanks for the clarification, Larry.
You and I are thinkers of the same ilk but to choose between de Santis and “Our Donald” would be a very difficult thing for me; not because de Santis may be the better administrator but because Donald re-made the GOP and was very well under way to re-make America. He’ll only get one more chance this incarnation whereas Ron still has two!
Blessed be
Karma Singh
I STILL think you are a “nit wit” who should be fired! . . . He needs NO crisis management. Of course, you DO give an alternate view. One Enlightened Patriot. Team Trump And His Allies 2020 – MAGA (WE’RE NOT going away!
“I am a staunch supporter of Ron DeSantis.” Wow, just wow. IMO, this man’s record of actions on covid 19 completely overshadow any possible positives, of which there are few. You point out the mask mandate as if that’s your Holy Grail for forgiveness because, awe heck, he’s such a fine fellow otherwise. Matter of fact a Reagan guy like yourself naturally leans towards DeSantis. I think Ron would be spinning in the grave hearing that one….
OK, there’s the mask mandate prohibition that kills. This comes from a man who said: “this particular pandemic is one where I don’t think nationwide, there’s been a single fatality under 25.” Wasn’t true when he said it, ain’t true in Florida today except in Ron’s mind.
Florida was the last state to close down, the first to open, and now they have the results of that DeSantis action.
Florida prohibits businesses and government from requiring vaccines. He even barred Cruise Ships operating out of Florida to have vaccine mandates, for both travelers and workers. Florida government even prohibits businesses from even requesting vaccination proof.
Then there’s the vaccination levels at Long Term Care facilities where his results are deadly dismal. Only 41% of the staff fully vaccinated, second worse in the nation. Residents at 75%, sounds good, third worst in the nation though. He’s 21st in LTC death, twice as bad as NJ or NY.
By almost any metric, DeSantis is the worst on covid policy. You are racking up over 225 dead every day, the worst in the nation, may even be a 600% increase in the last few weeks. You got the second highest ICU total in the nation. You’re rolling over 20,000 cases a day; even in NJ we say that’s a big gamble. He blames Biden’s border strategy, he blames Biden for not curing it, he says funny Fauci things, sells merch with it to fund his career profiting off covid, he says FL has great success with monoclonal antibodies even though only a few get them, he’s just looking at the Trump national demographic and screw FL, and he’s got you sold.
Doctors and hospitals are revolting; over 50% of schools have mask mandates in legal defiance to DeSantis policies, people are getting fed up. Lawsuits are everywhere.
His results on covid suck, he can’t blame Biden or Mexicans or Fauci, or Big Government. DeSantis is the governor of the worst state in the Union for covid results.. S
Couldn’t have said it better-he is Ron Disaster…
He’s a great governor. But the liberal trolls are embarrassed by retard joe. And you idiots that voted for the old fool has the blood of Americans on your hands. Sorry guys. You got what you wanted. Now watch the enemies of our country screw us big time and make retard joe think that they’re doing good for us. I guess that ignorance is bliss for you people If y’all need someone to play the fiddle while America burns I’ll gladly play for you in the mournful low minor scale
I think Larry tells us all we need to know about himself when he states that he ran the campaign against Adam Kinzonger-probably the most credible Republican currently in the house. Adam is a straight shooter who doesn’t put up with the BS put out by trump and desantis. While I don’t always agree with his politics, I respect him-something I can’t say for the vast number of elected republicans. Larry also says he is in the mold of Reagan-not…. Reagan would be turning over in his grave at the antics of most of the Republicans in Congress. Reagan believed in working with others, not the scorched earth policy that we see from the party today. So there tis…
How deep into his bed are you going to get Larry? I mean this man has gone from bat-shit stupid to outright evil. I am sorry, but DeathSantis seems freakin appropriate given the bodies stacking up in Florida. I am always amazed at places like FL or even CA, where they can easily be outside, distanced, probably maskless, and yet they still find a way to screw it all up. In FL’s case, the citizens are being cruelly led and mislead by this man. The latest atrocities:
Court ruled in DeSantis’ favor that he can reject Federal Funds for the unemployed to force them back to work while most of the nation is not. IOW, half a million Floridians will not get $400M. The best part is it’s their money; tax dollars being spent to help those unemployed or, frankly not wanting to work during the pandemic, of which Florida is the worse hell hole in the nation. That’ll show them Ron. Nothing like putting business above citizens.
Court ruled against DeSantis withholding school pay; DeSantis went ahead and did it a few days ago against two counties with school mask mandates. How can a mask be such a symbol? WTF is going on. Did you hear about the CDC study of the maskless teacher reading to the class of elementary students, you know, the ones who can’t catch it, infected 12 out of 24 students, then they infected another 14 staff and family members? Yeah, Ron, this is a great idea.
The man is insane. In what Universe, do any of these decisions make any sort of practical sense? Saving the economy by basically giving your tax dollars to other states while you force people to work. You know it’s only the lower income folks affected, right? Or the school un-mask mandate — I can’t even fathom any benefit. “give me no mask or give me death” Gee, how about both. Hey, it’s only the kids, not like they work in the economy. “don’t tred on my mask” Hey, take it from me, you be better looking in a mask. So far, masks are not the cause of anyone’s death. Not wearing them is.
I just don’t know why you put up with this crap just to get a few Regan-like policies. Because this man is not a true conservative, not a true Republican, I have even have doubts on his humanity as Florida burns in a covid flame of his policies support.
I am also a huge fan of Deathsantis. He is slowly killing off his base in the name of scoring political points. Keep up the good work!
Larry, you are entitled to your opinion … unless your readers disagree, then you’re gunna be in for a bad time. But not your own facts. 86% of Democrats have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, only 45% of Republicans have.
When I’m doubt, there’s always horse dewormer! Only a RHINO ( lol) wouldn’t acknowledge this!
Larry,
This is Karma at its finest! It started with your generation and Rush Limbaugh demonizing the left and then dozens of radical right radio jockeys vilifying democratic voters. Then came Fox “news”, that amped up the rhetoric and radicalized those desperate to find a purpose.
Your generation of right wing strategists thought this was a winning strategy. And by and large, it has been. Even though republicans have cast far fewer votes, represent far less people, and their policies are unpopular among voters, you guys have managed to control the government of the US.
Now, this behavior is so ingrained into your followers that it’s back firing. Your followers, that your generation has groomed, are now turning on the very people that have built this movement of yours. You no longer pass the purity test, therefore you are being cancelled by many of your readers.
You best get in lock step with the rest of the sheep and do and say as the Qult and the Radical Right say, or you’re going to have a bad time.
Now Ben, how can you really know: ” 86% of Democrats have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, only 45% of Republicans have.” Right off the bat you know there is no data system that tabulates this, so it must be a survey.
Lo n behold, it’s a WAPA/ABC survey where you can see Republicans ready to spill their soul to the “Hi, I’m from WAPA and I’m here to help” survey take :>) Or any survey taker for that point. Turns out they hired the Kaiser foundation so, it’s “any survey taker.” Turns out this survey was end of July, big changes since then, eh?
Very hard to find survey size or error rate, but after awhile I came up with “This KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor was designed and analyzed by public opinion researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). The survey was conducted July 15-July 27, 2021, among a nationally representative random digit dial telephone sample of 1,517 adults ages 18 and older (including interviews from 322 Hispanic adults and 300 non-Hispanic Black adults), living in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii (note: persons without a telephone could not be included in the random selection process).” I am not a survey guru; these numbers always seem low.
Sampling error rate, which usually is shown with the date, is +/- 3% which sounds great, but again not a stat expert. Seems that your just spitting this out as a fact is wrong and you should have qualified this factoid. It is based on a sample of 1,517 adults contacted via random phone survey. Answer is: “the survey says…..”
To me, given the limitations of phone surveys, what would be interesting is what Kaiser found out over time as trends in this area. Especially after the Delta Variant took hold.
Here’s the Kaiser dashboard. Great stuff here. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/dashboard/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-dashboard/
Frank,
I correctly cited the poll. Nothing I said was factually wrong.
You can question the poll all you want, what I posted accurately reflects the article I read.
Period.
Yes you are correct. I was just saying you might have wanted to indicate it was a telephone survey since that kinda dampens the strength. As well as the actual sample size, error rates, etc. that I indicated I have no expertise, just always seem low.
Just a clarification, not a correction, sorry.