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Florida Representative Susan Valdes recently switched her party registration from Democrat to Republican—just days after running to be the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Chair and barely a month after being elected as a Democratic representative by her constituents. Her defection has left many feeling betrayed, disappointed, and discouraged, as it comes at a time when Democrats are already facing the worst super-minority in Florida House history. The loss of even one seat adds to the already daunting challenge of making progress under these conditions. Some are questioning how we can recruit strong candidates to run in such a hostile environment and whether the Democratic voice still matters in the Florida legislature.
Representative Valdes has chosen to join a party that continues to enact policies that harm the people of Florida. They have weakened labor unions, dismantled public schools, and pushed to pave over state parks. They’ve created the worst housing crisis in the state’s history while empowering the insurance industry and selling out clean energy to benefit corporate interests. Right here in Tampa, Governor DeSantis’ hand-picked Public Service Commission just voted to allow Tampa Electric to enact an "egregiously excessive" rate hike of 69 percent, placing the burden of higher costs on residents and small business owners. This is not progress—it’s exploitation—and it’s been happening for the thirty years Republicans have been in charge of Florida. This is the party Susan Valdes chose to join. Even in a super-minority, Democrats have opportunities to make an impact. Persistence, strategic collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the people we represent can pave the way for meaningful change. As Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Well, we’ve been punched repeatedly over the last few election cycles. But smart fighters adapt—they train harder, develop new strategies, and fight like there’s no tomorrow. That’s exactly what we must do, because with Florida Republicans at the helm, our tomorrow is looking incredibly bleak for the millions of Floridians counting on us to make their voices heard in Tallahassee. Now is not the time to quit. Now is the time to act. If you’re frustrated with the state of our party or past election outcomes, channel that energy into productive action. Organize in your neighborhood—precinct organizing is where it all begins. If Representative Valdes’ defection has you feeling betrayed, support candidates who inspire you and work to help their campaigns succeed. If you’re feeling discouraged, build coalitions with like-minded organizations and individuals to create broader momentum. If you’re tired of fighting the Florida GOP, volunteer for voter registration drives and help bring fresh voices into the electorate to carry on that fight. Mentor young leaders, invest in civic engagement, and stay involved to ensure the Florida Democratic Party evolves to meet the needs of a changing state. This will not be a short fight. It will require a long-term commitment and relentless effort. And at times, we will lose. But we have tens of millions of people on our side and the soul of a great state hanging in the balance. If we quit, we will always lose. Now is the time to summon the courage, make the commitment, and get involved. Will Atkins is a retired Air Force colonel with 22 years of service and two Bronze Stars. He knows a thing or two about fighting for good, and his oath of service didn’t come with an expiration date. His views are his own, and do not represent the opinions of any Democratic organization.
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Veterans have fought to protect and defend the American ideals we hold dear – like the right to vote, and a free and fair election. We deserve better than continued attacks on our democracy here in Florida.
After decades of service, we and our fellow service members put our lives on the line in defense of the ideals we hold dear. But right now, the fundamental right to vote, as well as the integrity of our election system as a whole, faces new threats from right here at home. US military personnel have been allowed to vote by mail since the War of 1812. The War of 1812! Florida has allowed absentee voting for veterans, seniors, military families, and those in need for more than twenty years, with zero issues. You and President Trump praised the Florida elections in 2020, as results were reported quickly and accurately. You even bragged, in Florida “we did it right.” But after learning that more Democrats utilize vote by mail than Republicans, GOP state legislators are working to rapidly restrict popular, time-tested voting methods like early and absentee voting. Methods that are relied upon by voters across party lines – policies that would have a disparate impact on military voters. Military veterans mail in our ballots while we serve at military bases across the country, and when we deploy overseas to protect the very freedoms Florida Republicans are trying to take away. Despite a lack of evidence, Republican legislators are clamoring to solve a problem that nonpartisan experts and the courts say does not exist. It is crucial that we count the votes of our service members and veterans — and all Floridians who vote absentee. Last year, Senate Bill 90, sponsored by Republican Senator Dennis Baxley, negated all current VBM requests, while requiring all voters to request vote-by-mail ballots every two years. That bill alone amounted to an unfunded mandate of $12 to $15 million of taxpayer money that your Supervisors of Elections had to spend just to implement this horrible bill. Most of your own Supervisors argue that the system already works well and does not need reform! But these suppression efforts apparently haven’t been enough. This week, another Republican Senator Blaise Ingoglia, has filed yet another voter suppression bill, which would once again negate all current VBM requests, and require additional requests for every primary and general election. These changes won’t make our elections more secure – current methods are already secure! Instead, they will make it harder for veterans like us to cast our ballots. It will also make it harder for seniors, rural voters who may live 50 miles or more from a voting location, voters of color, and voters with disabilities to vote. We fought to defend our country and have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of lost democratic norms. We all support steps to bolster election integrity in Florida and across the nation, but efforts to restrict our freedom to vote will continue to wear away at the fabric of our civil society. Our leaders shouldn’t be trying to make it harder for any person – but especially veterans – to vote. Instead, they should be working to ensure that our democracy finally – and fully – includes and works for everyone. Those are the values we put our lives on the line for, and will continue to do so. The Florida Legislature is a bicameral body, meaning it has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Comprised of 40 Senators and 120 Representatives, the Florida Legislature passes new laws, repeals current laws, and determines the budget for the next fiscal year during the 60-day session. Each chamber has its own leadership, rules, committees, and staff. The Senate is led by the Senate President, who is elected by the senators for a two-year term. The current Senate President is Kathleen Passidomo, a Republican from Naples. The House is led by the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the representatives for a two-year term. The current Speaker is Paul Renner, a Republican from Palm Coast. The Legislature meets every year for a regular session, which usually starts in March of odd-numbered years and in January of even-numbered years. The session lasts for 60 consecutive days, unless extended by a joint resolution. The Legislature can also meet for special sessions, which are called by the Governor, the Senate President, or the House Speaker, to address specific issues. It’s important to note here that the Florida legislature has required a special session more than half of the time in the last decade. These special sessions were required because the Republican-controlled legislature tended to spend more time on culture war issues like passing the Don’t Say Gay bill, abortion bans, and attacking Disney, than actually solving problems for everyday Floridians. When the regular session ends, and nothing has been done about important things like housing insurance, Medicaid expansion, or affordable housing, the legislature has to come back into session to try to fix it. Often, Florida Republicans use the special session for even more culture wars – such as when they spent part of last year’s special session sanctioning Iran. But hey, but at least strawberry shortcake is now the official state dessert. The main function of the Legislature is to enact new laws and amend or repeal existing laws. The process of making laws involves several steps, such as drafting, filing, committee review, floor debate, voting, and then approval by the Governor. The process begins when a legislator sponsors a bill, which is then referred to one or more committees related to the bill’s subject. The committee studies the bill and decides if it should be amended, pass, or fail. If passed by the various sub-committees, the bill moves to other committees of reference or to the full house. The full chamber then votes on the bill. If it passes in one chamber of the legislature, it is sent to the other chamber for review. A bill goes through the same process in the second chamber as it did in the first. A bill can go back and forth between houses until a consensus is reached. Of course, the measure could fail at any point in the process. A bill can originate in either chamber, except for appropriation bills, which must start in the House (though the senate can amend or substitute them). A bill must pass both chambers in identical form before it can be sent to the Governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature. The most important duty of the Legislature is to pass a balanced budget for the state, which is required by the Florida Constitution. The budget determines how much money the state will spend on various programs and services, such as education, health care, transportation, and public safety. The budget also sets the state tax rates and fees. The Governor proposes a budget to the Legislature, which then makes changes and passes its own version. The Governor can veto parts or all of the budget, which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both chambers. See our analysis of the Governor’s Proposed Budget here. This session is bound to be a doozy, looking at all the ways Florida Republicans are trying to dismantle the public education system.
Republicans have introduced a series of education deregulation bills (SB 7000, 7002, 7004) that aim to provide more flexibility and authority to school districts on various aspects of public education, such as teacher certification, contracts, evaluations, salary schedules, assessments, accountability, facilities, and funding. SB 7004 also modifies some provisions related to prekindergarten programs, retention and graduation, instructional materials, and reporting. These bills largely undermine the quality and equity of public education in Florida. They weaken the standards and protections for teachers, students, and parents, and allow school districts to evade accountability and transparency. They also reduce the state’s role and responsibility in ensuring adequate and fair funding, facilities, and resources for all public schools. These bills are not in the best interest of the public, but rather serve the agenda of privatization and deregulation of education. In another effort to undermine the public school system in Florida, House Bill 109 allows a public school to convert to a charter school if approved by a majority vote of the parents of students enrolled in the school and a majority vote of the school’s instructional staff. It also requires the school district to provide the converted charter school with the same per-student funding and facilities as other charter schools in the district. This bill undermines the public school system and the democratic governance of education. It allows a small group of parents and staff to decide the fate of a public school without the input or consent of the broader community, the school board, or the state. It also diverts public funds and resources to charter schools that are less accountable, transparent, and equitable than public schools. It creates instability and uncertainty for the students, staff, and families who may not agree with or benefit from the conversion. Senate Bill 282 exempts nonpublic religious postsecondary educational institutions (that is, private Christian colleges) from certain state regulations and oversight, such as licensure, accreditation, curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. It also allows these institutions to participate in state financial aid programs and grants. This bill would allow private religious institutions to receive public funds and benefits without complying with the same standards and expectations as other postsecondary institutions. It also exposes students and taxpayers to the risk of fraud, abuse, and poor quality education. It infringes on the rights and interests of students, faculty, and staff who may not share or adhere to the religious beliefs and practices of these institutions. In a scene right of out George Orwell’s 1984, Republicans have introduced a bill (HB465 and SB470) that would punish college students from protesting in support of Palestinian rights. That is, any student who opposes the killing of Palestinian civilians would be assessed an out-of-state tuition fee, and be deemed ineligible for state grants, financial aid, scholarships, or tuition assistance. For many students, this would effectively bar them from continuing their students at a Florida higher education institution. This bill is discriminatory, unconstitutional, and counterproductive. It violates the rights and freedoms of postsecondary education students based on their political views or associations. It also undermines the values and goals of higher education, which are to promote diversity, dialogue, and global citizenship. It also harms the academic and professional development of students and the academic reputation and integrity of postsecondary educational institutions. For a political party that likes to rail against “indoctrination” at Florida colleges, this bill is a blatant attempt to stifle freedom of speech and codify the very indoctrination they hope to prevent. House Bill 49, sponsored by Rep. Linda Chaney, is a radical proposal that would undermine decades of child labor protections and expose minors to exploitation and abuse. The bill would remove restrictions on the hours, days, and nights that 16- and 17-year-olds can work, and prevent local governments from passing stricter curfews for teen workers. The bill is backed by a conservative think tank funded by billionaire donors, who see it as a way to address labor shortages and boost profits.
HB 49 is not only bad for children, but also for the state’s economy and education system. By allowing employers to schedule teens for unlimited hours, without breaks, overnight, and for more than six days in a row, the bill would jeopardize our kids’ health, safety, and well-being. It would also interfere with their school performance, attendance, and graduation rates, and limit their opportunities for extracurricular activities, college preparation, and civic engagement. According to the Florida Department of Education, only 86.9% of students graduated from high school in 2023, ranking Florida 40th in the nation. This bill would only make that worse. It seems like Florida Republicans are purposely trying to reduce the effectiveness of our public education system so they can continue to push for private school vouchers. Moreover, the state’s public education system is ranked 42nd in student success, 27th in student safety, and 43rd in school quality. That puts Florida’s education system 42nd overall in the country, as it has one of the worst quality education systems, and its students are one of the least successful academically nationwide. HB 49 would worsen these outcomes by depriving students of the time and energy they need to learn and grow. And as if the employment situation in Florida weren’t bad enough, HB 49 would create unfair competition for adult workers, who may be displaced by cheaper and more vulnerable teen labor. HB 49 is a shameful attempt to roll back the clock on decades of child labor laws in the state of Florida. It is opposed by labor unions, civil rights groups, education advocates, and child welfare organizations, who recognize the harmful effects of the bill on Florida’s children. The bill should be rejected by the state legislature, and if passed, challenged in court. Florida’s children deserve better than to be exploited by greedy employers and politicians. The Florida Legislature, the lawmaking branch of the state government, will begin its 60-day regular session next Tuesday. The session will end on March 8, unless extended by a joint resolution. During this time, 160 legislators, composed of 40 senators and 120 representatives, will debate and vote on hundreds of bills that affect the lives of millions of Floridians.
House Speaker Paul Renner has said his priorities for the 2024 session would include an increase in the number of health care providers in the state, improve access to mental health care, and to begin conversations that will ensure Florida’s independence in energy, pharmaceuticals, and food. What are the Key Issues? The 2024 legislative session is expected to be a busy and contentious one, as lawmakers tackle a range of issues that affect the state and its residents. These are largely issues that have festered for years under Republican majorities in the legislature and Republican governors since 1999. Some of the key issues that will likely dominate the agenda are: Abortion: After passing a six-week abortion ban in 2023, Republican lawmakers and Governor Ron DeSantis are facing legal challenges from pro-choice groups and the federal government. The bill, which would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, is one of the most restrictive in the nation and could trigger a Supreme Court review. The bill includes some very limited exceptions for rape or incest, which are only valid if the fetus is not more than 15 weeks, and the woman provides a restraining order or police report. It also requires parental consent for minors and mandatory counseling for women seeking abortions. Of note, a Florida Atlantic University poll in May 2022 found that 67% of Floridians supported legalized abortion in most or all cases, and a University of North Florida poll in November 2023 found that 62% of Florida voters would support a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights. This is why Republican lawmakers are trying to make it harder for constitutional amendments to pass by raising the threshold from 60% to two-thirds (66.66%, repeating of course). Climate Change: Florida is one of the most vulnerable states to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss. Lawmakers are considering several bills that aim to address the environmental and economic impacts of climate change. While some, such as Representative Eskamani’s proposal to ban offshore drilling, promote renewable energy sources, and create a condominium windstorm pilot program are designed to assist working class Floridians, others tend to favor those with coastal properties. Credit where it’s due, Governor DeSantis has taken steps to harden Florida’s coastline against rising sea levels. As laudable as that is, he continues to reject the scientific consensus surrounding man-made global warming, which limits Florida’s ability to take needed measures. After all, Florida is the most vulnerable region of the world, after China, to climate disasters. As if to rub salt in the wound, Senate Republicans are supporting an “EV tax” that would require electric-vehicle owners to pay extra registration fees as more people convert to electric and hybrid vehicles. Education: Education is always a hot topic in the Legislature, as lawmakers debate how to fund and improve the state’s public schools, colleges, and universities. Here, we see proposed bills by Republican lawmakers designed to further loosen regulations by expanding school choice programs that have been abused by funding Disney tickets and video game consoles, while prohibiting certain speech in the classroom. Senate Republicans have also proposed a bill to eliminate Florida’s third-grade retention rule, allowing students to move on to fourth grade without passing the state reading test, and would also allow high school students to graduate without passing certain exams. For their part, Democrats have offered proposals to increase teacher salaries and support economically disadvantaged school readiness programs. These bills reflect the different visions and values of the Republican and Democratic parties when it comes to education. Republicans favor more competition, innovation, and accountability in a more privatized education system, while Democrats favor more investment, equity, and quality in the public education system. Both sides claim to have the best interests of the students, parents, and educators at heart, but they often disagree on how to achieve them. Health Care: Health care is another major issue that affects millions of Floridians, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats will continue to push for Medicaid expansion (Florida is one of only 10 states that have not accepted federal funding to expand Medicaid access) and pregnancy support and wellness services. For their part, Republicans are offering anti-vaccine proposals such that the administration of vaccines is not included in public health emergency declarations, and several bills attempting to limit healthcare access by existing Medicaid patients. They have also announced the “Live Healthy” proposal, which is designed to grow Florida’s health care workforce. This comes in direct contrast to the Governor’s budget proposal, which proposes cutting 1,000 state jobs, primarily in the already over-burdened Department of Health. Voting Rights: After the 2020 election, which saw record turnout and no major fraud or irregularities, some lawmakers are seeking to change the state’s voting laws, claiming they are necessary to ensure election integrity and security. However, critics argue that the proposed changes are aimed at suppressing the vote of minorities, young people, and other groups that tend to favor Democrats. Previously passed changes include limiting the use of drop boxes, requiring more frequent requests for mail ballots, and restricting the ability of third parties to assist voters. In this session, Republicans are attempting to increase the threshold to pass a constitutional amendment from 60% to 67%, because polling shows that approximately 64% of voters support a constitutional amendment protecting abortion access. These are just some of the issues that will be discussed and debated in the 2024 session. The outcome of these issues will have a significant impact on the future of Florida and its people. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the session progresses, as we conduct deep dives into specific issues throughout the first two weeks of the regular session. During last year’s legislative session, Florida Republicans largely bowed to Governor DeSantis’ wishes when it came to the annual budget. However, with the Governor’s presidential bid in shambles, the Florida GOP may find that they have more ability to push back on his demands.
In December, the Governor released his “Focus on Florida’s Future” budget proposal 30 days before the start of the legislative session, as required by Florida law. Presumably, this allows legislators the lead-time necessary to draft bills in accordance with the Governor’s wishes before the start of the legislative session. His proposal totals $114.4 billion, which is $4.6 billion less than last year, and includes more than $1.1 billion in tax relief, mostly through sales tax holidays and exemptions on homeowners and flood insurance policies, as well as over-the-counter pet medications. The budget proposal also includes spending increases for education, health care, environment, public safety, and infrastructure, as well as debt reduction and savings. The budget also illustrates how DeSantis is exploiting his position as Florida’s governor for personal gain as he attempts to run for President. Due to his poor performance in Iowa, DeSantis included $100 million in his budget for a rural and family protection program – despite vetoing this exact program only 6 months ago. Expect DeSantis to use his State of the State speech, which is scheduled for the week before the Iowa Caucus to highlight this convenient flip-flop and obvious pandering to Iowa voters. He also included another $5 million for his human trafficking stunts, offering to reimburse those who transport undocumented immigrants to other states. Besides being an absurd affront to human rights, this program would seem to go against DeSantis’ own anti-immigration law that he signed into effect in September, which made it a crime to transport undocumented immigrants. DeSantis often rails against perceived “indoctrination” of Florida teachers and students, but offers up $3,000 bonuses for teachers who complete Hillsdale College-created civics training. I guess he only wants his own indoctrination to occur. After all, with some of the lowest teacher salaries in the nation, what teacher wouldn’t sit through a 40-hour course for that bonus? Senator Lauren Book called DeSantis’ budget a “delusion,” especially as DeSantis calls for the reduction of 1,000 state jobs, primarily in the over-burdened and critical areas in the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health. These cuts will worsen the staffing crisis, while allowing DeSantis to push for privatized prisons and reductions in COVID vaccine and opioid epidemic support. When it comes to Florida’s property insurance crisis, DeSantis is equally delusional. His budget increases funding for the My Safe Florida Home program by $107 million. Talk about a drop in the bucket. That amount wouldn’t even eliminate the backlog of applications that have already been approved but are delayed due to a lack of funding. In fact, this increase will only help 10-15,000 households (out of the 8 million households in Florida). These ineffective bandaids will do nothing without comprehensive and long-term solutions, such as reforming the insurance market, strengthening building codes, and mitigating climate change. In all, Florida Republicans would do well to reject the Governor’s attempts to prioritize the interests of the wealthy and powerful over the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized. I also question the fiscal responsibility of declining federal funding (almost 40% of the state budget is funded with federal dollars) and then asking the Florida taxpayers to foot the bill. This budget proposal does nothing to address the needs of the millions of Floridians who lack health insurance, access to affordable housing, or adequate social services. It also ignores the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the rising costs of living on the state’s economy. The proposal does not invest enough in public education, especially for students with special needs, low-income families, and English language learners. It undermines the constitutional authority of local school boards by diverting funds to private and charter schools through vouchers that have already shown to be spent on tickets to Disney World and video game consoles. The budget also does not adequately prepare the state for the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. It also fails to promote renewable energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or support clean transportation options. The budget does not benefit all homeowners equally, as it favors those who have higher-value properties, live in flood-prone areas, or are able to purchase high-rate insurance policies. It also reduces the state’s revenue base, which could limit our ability to fund essential services and programs in the future. But I suppose these are all features – not bugs – of DeSantis’ budget proposal. He’s more concerned with fighting culture wars and his presidential aspirations than fighting for everyday Floridians. They say that budgets speak to our values in terms of what we prioritize. What does this budget say about what DeSantis values? Starting yesterday, several new laws will take effect in Florida, covering various aspects of life, such as health, education, environment, and transportation. These laws were passed by the Florida legislature in the 2023 session, and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are three that you should be aware of:
Special Needs Registry (SB784/HB1275) The “Protect Our Loved Ones Act,” introduces the creation of a “Special Persons Registry,” which is designed to assist law enforcement officers in their interactions with individuals who have developmental, psychological, or other disabilities or conditions. It provides a framework for local law enforcement agencies to develop and maintain this database, allowing for enrollment and removal processes. Adults with disabilities can enroll themselves, and parents or legal guardians can enroll minors or incapacitated adults. Proof of eligibility, such as certification from a licensed healthcare professional, must be submitted at the time of registration. The bill specifies acceptable documentation for eligibility, including certification from physicians, psychologists, mental health counselors, or psychiatrists. Registrations are valid until the person is removed, either by the legal guardian, the individual (if competent and over 18), or upon request. The registry may include information such as the person's name, contact details, personal identifying information, and details about their disability or condition. It also allows for the inclusion of information provided by the enrollee or the person who enrolled them. Local law enforcement agencies can provide relevant information from the registry to officers engaged in official duties. Pretrial Release and Detention (SB1534) Another bill taking effect today is Florida Senate Bill 1534, which relates to pretrial release and detention. The key provisions that take effect in 2024 include:
Child Protective Services (SB7056) SB 7056 mandates the relocation of child protective investigation services from seven county sheriff's offices, which currently provide these services, back to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Beginning in the mid-1990s, the DCF engaged in contracts with Pinellas, Manatee, Broward, Pasco, Hillsborough, Seminole, and Walton counties to conduct child protective investigations within their jurisdictions. Of note, these 7 counties account for 25% of all children in Florida. This law designates the DCF as the exclusive entity responsible for child protective investigations statewide. The law outlines specific details and timelines for the transfer, encompassing the transition of sheriff employees to the DCF, the transfer of records, assets, and finances, utilization of facilities, and the finalization of grant accounting. Furthermore, the law stipulates that all staff in good standing, employed by each respective sheriff for child protective services before the legislation's effective date, will have the option to transfer their employment to the DCF. In cases where a claim or cause of action arises against a sheriff concerning child protective investigations before the transfer date, the defense and indemnification will adhere to the terms of the grant or agreement applicable at the time of the alleged incident. For claims or actions initiated after the transfer date, the responsibility for defense and indemnification falls upon the DCF. It remains to be seen whether DCF will have the personnel to handle the additional caseload, and questions have previously been raised when children have died under DCF purview. However, there have also been cases where county caseworkers have similarly been questioned about abuse of children under their purview. Several years ago, I came across a quote by General “Mad Dog” Mattis, in his book Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead: “If you haven't read hundreds of books, you are functionally illiterate, and you will be incompetent, because your personal experiences alone aren't broad enough to sustain you.” Damn.
When I read this quote, I thought to myself, “nobody reads that many books – there isn’t enough time!” Shortly thereafter, a friend of mine posted his Goodreads year in review, showing that he had read 85 books that year, while I had been averaging 25 books a year for the four years prior. To quote Seth Godin in The Song of Significance, “We don’t need more time. We simply need to decide.” That January, I made a resolution to read consistently every night and to listen to audiobooks during my commute to and from work. That year, I read 124 books (slightly inflated because I also logged children’s books that I read with my daughter). This year, I cut out the kids books and read 100 books – most of which were political in nature. Over the next two weeks, I’ll share which books I read each month, and some key takeaways that have stuck with me. January I have always read primarily political books, since that has been my passion for as long as I can remember. But after awhile, even I need a break from the intensity and deep thinking required to get through some of those books. You’ll notice throughout the year that each month usually has at least one “palette cleanser” of a book. Whether that’s Jim Gaffigan’s Dad is Fat in January, or the sci-fi and fantasy books that you’ll see throughout the year. For the most part, I won’t comment on these books, as they are largely just for fun and to break up the monotony of reading so many political books. You’ll also notice (I hope) that I try to give somewhat equal treatment to the Republican point of view in my reading. It helps me to understand how Republicans view Democrats, and hopefully why they think that way. This was another of my New Year’s Resolutions in 2023 – to read more books from a Republican perspective. For January, the book that stuck with me the most was by far Soul of a Democrat. Throughout the year, you’ll see that I have read numerous books trying to answer the question of “what makes a Democrat or a Republican who they are?” If you read no other book, if you want to understand the history and future of the Democratic Party in America, you must read this book. Soul of a Democrat presents a comprehensive assessment of the Democratic Party’s current challenges and proposed solutions. It argues against complacency and emphasizes the need for a revitalized Democratic Party. Importantly, it highlights the danger of viewing policies as interchangeable with politics, emphasizing the necessity of a unifying ideological framework to guide the party. The importance of understanding and connecting with diverse demographics within the Democratic base is underscored, with a call for a more inclusive and expansive approach to build a stable majority. Addressing the perceived alliance between Republicans and big business, the books argue for Democrats to actively counteract this trend and advocate for policies that prioritize the common citizen over special interests. It emphasizes the Democratic Party's historical role as the party of the people, fighting for economic fairness and individual rights. It stresses the importance of economic justice, individualism, and the need for Democrats to articulate a compelling narrative that resonates across diverse demographics, including the white working class. In sum, the book calls for a renewed, principled, and cohesive Democratic Party that can effectively communicate its ideals, engage a broad coalition, and address the evolving challenges of contemporary American politics. Soul of a Democrat advocates for a return to fundamental principles and a commitment to a politics of purpose and ideals over narrow policy focus.
February This month continued my quest to understand “what makes a Republican who they are” by reading Barry Goldwater’s classic, The Conscience of a Conservative. Written in 1960, The Conscience of a Conservative advocates for a minimal, decentralized government that respects states' rights and adheres strictly to the Constitution. It emphasizes individual freedom, and supports a free-market economy, reducing government intervention, and allowing people to make their own choices. In the context of the Cold War, Goldwater underscores a strong stance against communism, advocating for a robust national defense to protect American interests. Ultimately, the book outlines core conservative principles, including limited government, constitutional adherence, and a free-market economy, shaping the foundation for the conservative movement. What struck me, however, was how much the modern conservative movement has changed from the vision that Goldwater articulated back in 1960. Recent policies advocated by Republicans seem to increase government intervention into people’s lives – everything from abortion to book bans as an example. Additionally, whereas Goldwater advocated a strong stance against communism, President Trump seemed content to cozy up with various world dictators, even those who led communist nations. It seems to me that the modern conservative movement is a far cry from what Goldwater envisioned. Another theme in this month’s books included grassroots political movements, as evidenced by books on MoveOn.org, ACORN, and political boss Richard Daley of Chicago. I have long been intrigued by how certain organizations or individuals are able to generate a grassroots movement in support of their political goals. From what I gathered, in many cases it seems to revolve around what we would call “constituent services.” That is, providing needed goods and services to your constituents. In Mayor Daley’s case, he provided jobs and support to the people of his city (albeit through some level of corruption, nepotism, and patronage).
March The one bad thing about using audiobooks during my commute is that it’s difficult to take notes or remember key points. This particular month, my family and I spent a lot of time in the car (or on a bus) taking trips to go snowboarding, and almost every book this month was an audiobook. I’ve always liked the “Ragin Cajun” James Carville (who is married to Republican strategist Mary Matalin), but I’ve come to find that most of the books he wrote back in the 90’s are largely outdated at this point. There isn’t much to be gleaned, despite most of the Democratic challenges being the same. Evicted was an eye-opening account of the world of renters in urban areas (primarily in Milwaukee). The book jumps around between various stories and numerous points of view, which made it difficult to follow which challenge went with which person, but ultimately just knowing that the challenges are out there was good enough. Finally, Michael Fanone’s first-person accounting of the events of January 6th were incredibly difficult to read – not in a grammatical way, but in an infuriating way considering people still insist that January 6th was a “normal tourist visit.” The book is laced with profanity and isn’t for the faint of heart. But this is one I highly recommend in audiobook form, since Fanone narrates the audiobook himself.
 Published in Tampa Bay Times: 6 May 2021
Link to the Letter I am an American veteran, born and raised right here in Florida. Since then, I’ve deployed six times to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars throughout 18 years of service. Veterans like me across this nation have fought to protect and defend the American ideals we hold dear — like the right to vote, and a free and fair election. To thank us for our service, Gov. Ron DeSantis just made it harder for more than 100,000 Florida service members to vote. While I was overseas, and while I’ve continued my service at various bases across the country, I have voted by mail every single time. Florida has allowed absentee voting for veterans, seniors, military families and those in need for more than 20 years, with zero issues. Despite a lack of evidence, the governor now clamors to solve a problem that non-partisan experts and the courts say does not exist. Early and absentee voting are relied upon by voters across party lines, and these policies will have a disparate impact on military voters. It is crucial that we count the votes of our service members and veterans — and all Floridians who vote by absentee mail ballot. Our leaders shouldn’t be trying to make it harder for any person — but especially veterans — to vote. Will Atkins, Port Richey |
AuthorAir Force veteran, writing about the intersection of domestic policy and national security, especially as it effects his home state of Florida. Archives
December 2024
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