Is DeSantis a True Believer?

For awhile now I assumed that DeSantis' Culture Warrior persona was nothing but cynical politics. No one, so I thought, could be so vicious against whole sections of his own state's population and so willing to attack major employers except as a means to gain and hold unchecked power. But he isn't backing down even when his hate filled talk and cruel actions seem to be losing him political support. I wonder...is DeSantis a True Believer after all? Does he really have no notion of social justice, kindness and public service? Is he really THAT reptilian?

 

Do you really have to ask?

 

It is important to try to understand what is it he believes in. It's not the Constitution. Or limited government. Or free expression. Or capitalism. I think he is literally Fascist.

Please tell me he's not invincible. I plan to live here for the next couple of decades.

 

It is an interesting question that I also find myself contemplating. I recognize that it's just speculation but my guess is that it's a combination. He's initiated his policies out of primarily cynical politics but I'll guess he then half believes them and the other half doesn't really care about notions of social justice, kindness and public service. In summary, yes he is rather reptilian.

 

He's a Harvard-educated opportunist hoping to displace Trump and ride the only true Republican constituency to the nomination. He'll then attempt to pivot towards (but not to) the center in the general election.

This will fail on both counts.

First, he isn't going to displace Trump. No one will. Non-Trumpists rode the cultist wave to the point that MAGA holds all the power in the party. For more than two years now, Trump supporters have believed their guy was robbed of the election. They're not going to let someone else step in and replace him.

Second, even if DeSantis could pull that off, there is no way in this day and age of constant, 360-degree, 24-7-365 wall-to-wall coverage can such a subtle move be managed. It's too obvious now. I think it contributes mightily to the intense polarization of our society, too.

The "middle" is quickly disappearing. You are one camp, the other, or lonely. And, increasingly, one side cannot win with democracy, so they've decided to destroy it.

 

So...in this way at least, Trump is the lesser of two evils? Oh boy.

 

(Apologies to Reptillian-Americans.)

 

Wrong direction. He's the greatest of all evils, which is why the lesser evils (like DeSantis) cannot possibly dethrone him.

As for Trump, think Adolph in the bunker....

 

Considering what DeSantis has been doing in Florida, I'm not sure I'd consider him to be the lesser of two evils. He and Trump seem to be pretty equal, but in different ways.

 

Yes. DeSantis is smarter (which is not good news - for anyone) but Trump has an incredible amount of animal cunning. I'd rather watch hyenas fighting to the death, than this ugly contest.

Please don't introduce me to anyone who would support either.

 

DeSantis just signed a bill outlawing ownership of Florida real estate by Chinese nationals. In addition to being blatantly and horrificly racist this law is absolutely a violation of equal protection. DeSantis knows this. It’s first year law stuff. Yet here he is, violating his oath of office to support the constitution of the United States.

 

Quote from NY Post. "The new laws, which DeSantis characterized as a “crackdown on Communist China,” prevent foreign entities and officers from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria from buying farmland or any property within 10 miles of any military installation, seaport, airport, power plant, water treatment facility or any other location deemed critical infrastructure. The new law also bans citizens from those countries of concern who are not lawful permanent US residents from owning any real estate in Florida. Anyone connected with the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party is also barred from purchasing real estate in Florida under the new laws. "

Sounds reasonable to me. I am not saying that I support the man, but what's wrong with this proposal?

 

It's illegal. Period.

 

"Governments around the world are increasingly intervening in a bid to push down prices by limiting access to buy real estate to only residents. Canada made headlines recently as it introduced a two-year ban on non-resident foreigners from buying homes in the country." (Link: https://worldcrunch.com/business-finance/bans-on-foreigners-buying-houses)

He's just following the general global trend and adding the security dimension as an additional concern for the U.S.

 

I didn't say that he believes it. In effect, he is following a global trend in this direction of non-resident bans in terms of real estate ownership. ;-)

 

It's still illegal. You may be surprised to learn that being a member of the communist party, even the Chinese communist party, is not only lawful but your right to be a member is protected by your first amendment rights to free speech and assembly. Florida cannot target anyone based on political beliefs, ethnicity, or nationality.

 

Resident or non-resident communists?

 

Non-resident. And credit for prior learning with a portfolio.