Is DeSantis a True Believer?

DeSantis just signed a bill making his travel claims undiscoverable by the general public. His tame legislator, the "Gatorstag"? gives him whatever he asks for regardless of the STATE constitution let alone the federal one. See Fla. Const. Art 1 Sec 24.

 

Yep. Mess with the Gatorstag and they put you in the Gatorstalag.

 

Looks pretty simple even for us not legal types.

quote
(a) Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf, except with respect to records exempted pursuant to this section or specifically made confidential by this Constitution.  This section specifically includes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and each agency or department created thereunder;  counties, municipalities, and districts;  and each constitutional officer, board, and commission, or entity created pursuant to law or this Constitution.

 

If it is in fact unconstitutional, it doesn't matter the Florida government would not give up the information. It would require a court case to prove it unconstitutional before the information would be released. At least that is my guess, weak understanding, as to how it would work.

 

That is a very interesting point. The Florida Legislature is rubber stamping whatever hard Right measures DeSantis wants regardless of who gets hurt as long as the demands of white grievance are served. But some of this stuff violates equal protection and other civil rights. Now the Florida constitution itself contains explicit guarantees of equal protection and freedom of speech. The question is, Does DeSantis control the Florida Supreme Court as well as the Legislature? We don't know yet.

 

DeSantis is not unique among major politicians of the former Confederacy. He reminds me of George Wallace. DeSantis also brings to mind Huey Long but the two are not really the same. Huey Long was a dangerous authoritarian who routinely resorted to bully boy tactics but he absolutely was not a racist and he used his charisma and considerable oratory skills to benefit Louisiana. DeSantis benefits no one but DeSantis.