Florida Is Not Crazy---It's Strategic

Image from Governor Desantis' website

Florida is not just a state—it’s a nation unto itself.  If I had to choose anywhere to live in the world, Florida would not have been my first choice.  Starting over, personally and professionally, I needed a place to call home, and due to various factors related to family circumstances, Florida was the best temporary option.  Almost two years later, I am becoming accustomed to its sociopolitical landscape.  At first I thought the dynamics here were particular to Florida.  And in some ways, it is.  But also, as someone who has not lived in the United States for some time, and has not seen the sociocultural shift that has taken place with Trumpism—I am understanding how much of what is happening in Florida, has been happening across the country, but perhaps not in such a news making fashion.

But even before living here, my time within the reproductive justice movement had taught me that Florida was at the forefront of conservative and restrictive laws impacting the rights of women through abortion bans.  Before Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, Florida passed numerous restrictions on access to abortion:  abortion was only  legal up to the third trimester (26 weeks after last menstrual period), there was a 24 hour waiting requirement, and as of 2015 pregnant women were required to make two visits to a medical facility 24 hours apart.  Over time, it has become one of a handful of States that has had laws and policies that have served as a foundation for national level legislation on guns, LGBTQI and freedom of speech.  Governor Desantis clearly sees himself this way as his webpage states:   Florida IS the BluePrint.

Florida:  Test Ground for the United State’s Future

States have always served as a testing ground for national level legislation:  during the Obama Administration the Harlem Children’s Zone was used as an educational model for 20 cities to replicate its curriculum and structure aimed at breaking intergenerational poverty.  We can agree that the mission of this school would be desired across most sociopolitical spectrums.  I would even think that the actual structure and methodology would be too.  But over the course of my career, I have learned that it is never the goal but the means that makes us all stumble into finger pointing, shaming and judging which leads to nothing ever really getting accomplished, or rather, that we blind ourselves to seeing how to do things a different way.

Living in Florida has taught me something sobering: our movements, for all their progress, often appear foreign—sometimes frightening—to those who haven't lived these experiences.  After years of various rights groups advocating to government officials, the last 5-10 years have resulted in making inroads to accomplishing what for those within these movements see as long awaited policy prescriptions to attaining basic human rights.  The oppositional response to these gains has been a demolition of “wokeness.”

I’ve come to understand wokeness—a term no one seems able to define consistently—as a catchall for all that feels unfamiliar, threatening, or confusing to many Americans. What many of my Floridian neighbors have expressed has been that once they voice their disagreement, it appears that they have felt they have been sidelined as racist, misogynistic, and anti-everything from the left.  And let us be frank, many of those identifying as MAGA are these very labels.  As someone who has been observing the United States political drama from afar, and not experiencing the nuances of how it is played out in the day to day lives of the average voter–my question is, how did we get here?

How Conservatism Quietly Won Hearts and Minds

I think it is fair to say that the conservative right has been building its movement quietly, through conservative websites that replaced small town newspaper media, winning hearts through radio programs that many on the left dismissed as fringe or unworthy of serious attention.  Not surprisingly Fox News consistently characterizes the left as crazy, outlandish and not worthy to be paid attention to.  Basically we are playing a very strong and aggressive game of tennis, where lobs are just being thrown back and forth—and I’m not sure if anyone is really listening or trying to understand the other side.  For example, the last town hall with my Congressional Representative led to shouting matches and upset Democrat residents being escorted out.  This is the trend in the U.S.A., even if it is not being shown on mainstream news.  

Thus, what I am seeing now is our competitive edge, of being the best and the only role that counts is being the winner, has taken over our ethos as a people in almost every aspect of how we live—and how we relate to one another. I believe we need to take a beat, and remember when we used to be able to disagree and have an open mind to the other’s point of view.  Not the politicians, but us, the people.  We the People are the government, and we must take it back, regardless of the party.

I do not believe we should dismiss Florida as the crazy state, which we have the habit of doing here in the U.S.A.  Nor should we do this to other states like Texas, and Kentucky that have also been blueprint states for the conservative right.  The elite of our country  are stripping the middle class of opportunities  and creating a subordinate class of workers that are more prone to believe 2 minute Instagram reels than to take time to tune in to a range of media outlets offering diverse perspectives.  In doing so, they have cultivated a rapt audience addicted to instant gratification in all aspects of life.  Bullying and scapegoating is masked as authenticity because such language speaks to the deepest fears and frustrations of many people who feel disenfranchised over a wide spectrum of -isms.  We know this must be true because MAGA supporters and Trump voters range the full spectrum of who we are in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and religion. This representation was historically the Democratic party.  But times have changed.  

The current administration has issued a barrage of legislative actions and executive orders through theatrical level pronouncements–and reversals—which keep individuals entertained, confused, or overwhelmingly exhausted:  and we give in or give up because we have been hammered over and over with misinformation.

Florida’s, and the United States’, political trends are not isolated. Across the globe, conservatism is rising—from Europe to Latin America to Asia. For example, there are discussions that the conservative Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, emboldened by Trump’s win, will attempt a return to a Presidency.   Moreover, the passing of Pope Francis may open the door to another conservative papacy after 12 years of a pope who won hearts and minds with his Jesuit approach to poverty reduction, sexual abuse in the church, and LGBTQI+ issues, to name a few.  As a feminist that has worked on reproductive health rights and sexual violence prevention and response:  conservatism almost always leads to women and girls around the world being worse off.  Conservatism almost always contributes to infringement of women’s reproductive rights as well as a rise in the tolerance of sexual violence (increased acceptance of traditional gender roles and rape myths).

The United States has generally taken a lead in political shifts globally thus, in the past, was a country to look toward.  However, one of the advantages of having a conservative administration that has disrupted our political system with a heavy hammer, is that countries leaning toward conservatism may shift once again.  Our heavy hand may frighten voters in other countries of having a conservative leader align themselves with President Trump. Namely, Canada’s liberal party was written off after the resignation of Justin Trudeau.  However, as of this writing, it appeared that the liberal party could win its April 2025 election.

As we continue to wait out the next steps of a new U.S. political system, we should not return to our everyday lives, as we tend to do as American voters until the next big election.  We need to stay tuned in and act.

How We Fight Back–Three Steps

1. Keep your Eye on the Conservative States:  Florida, Texas,  and Kentucky.   These states have led the way on a number of conservative legislative initiatives that may have served as testing grounds for national policy prescriptions.  In addition, not every republican is falling within the one for all and all for one modus operandi in Florida.  A rift is beginning to form between the Governor and his party.  This may be the opening we need to have a dialogue on next steps for state and national level action.

   
   

2. Advocate for a Diversified Political Party System:  We have become so partisan that I believe people may not really understand the platform of either party (whether Democrats still have one continues to be debated).   Thus, they are not voting for issues, but for individuals that talk the talk, but do not necessarily walk the walk.  We do have minor parties that are almost never mentioned in mainstream media:  Libertarian, Green, Constitution, Alliance, Vermont Progressive and there are voters who are Independent.  A stronger push should be made to have these parties at the table, or at least at a debate in all future elections.

   
   

3. Seek Out Who Is Providing Fixes, Not Just Rallying Cries: Specifically, few individuals are offering concrete steps to fix our broken systems of governance. Florida has been "moving fast and breaking policies" with an ideological bulldozer for years, creating the illusion of progress. Floridian Republicans are often credited with "getting things done"—but a closer look reveals persistent challenges: affordable housing shortages, poor healthcare access for pregnant women, and deep racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. This isn’t a blueprint for broad-based progress; it’s a blueprint for pushing an ideological agenda that benefits a few at the expense of many. Once the protests and rallies are over, the real question remains: Where is the five-point plan for how we will win our country back?

   
   

Florida’s laws are not isolated anomalies; they are part of a broader strategy being tested here first. Florida is not just a state—it is a signal. What happens here won't stay here. As I continue building my BluPrint, I hope we all begin designing the kind of future we actually want to live in, because it is not yet written. Together, we can choose to blueprint something better.

Below are some of the key laws and bills passed in Florida that illustrate this broader conservative shift.

The Playbook in Action:  Key Laws To Watch

(to track varies in law in Florida you can check out ACLU Florida’s  website)

Attacking Reproductive Freedom

➔ SB 1284: Redefining Legal Protections for Embryos

• Description: Expands legal protections for embryos and restricts access to abortion; requires parental consent for minors seeking abortion services.

• Potential Impact: Tightens Florida’s existing six-week abortion ban, risking higher maternal mortality, unsafe abortions, and greater financial hardship for women and girls.

  
  

➔ SB 1288: Blocking Minors’ Access to Reproductive Care

• Description: Limits minors’ access to birth control, family planning services, and health risk assessments.

• Potential Impact: Increases rates of unintended pregnancy and STIs among teens, while restricting their educational and economic futures.

Crackdown on Civil Liberties and Free Speech

Restrictions on Free Speech, Education, and Protest

➔ The Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act (2021)

• Description: Increased penalties for participation in protests; created new offenses like "mob intimidation."

• Potential Impact: Stifles free speech; peaceful protesters at risk of criminalization.

➔ Individual Freedom Act ("Stop Woke Act") (2022)

• Description: Restricts discussions of race, diversity, and identity in schools and workplaces.

• Potential Impact: Facilitated dismantling of DEI programs across multiple sectors.

➔ Parental Rights in Education ("Don't Say Gay" Law) (2022)

• Description: Bans teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools.

• Potential Impact: Increased marginalization and harassment of LGBTQI+ youth.

➔ Facility Requirements Based on Sex Act (2023)

• Description: Requires individuals to use public restrooms and changing facilities aligned with sex assigned at birth.

• Potential Impact: Discrimination against transgender persons.

More Guns, Less Oversight

➔ Permit-less Carry Law (2023)

• Description: Allows individuals to carry concealed firearms without a permit.

• Potential Impact: Associated with 13–15% increases in violent crimes and an 11% increase in handgun deaths.

➔ HB759/SB920: Lowering Long Gun Purchase Age (2025 - pending Senate)

• Description: Would lower the age to purchase long guns from 21 to 18.

• Potential Impact: Reverses post-Parkland/Orlando safety reforms, raising risks of gun violence among youth.

Rolling Back Child Labor Protections

➔ HB1225/SB918: Youth Work Hours (2025 - pending)

• Description: Allows children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts.

• Potential Impact: Erodes child labor protections; impacts education outcomes for youth.

Criminalizing Immigration, One Law at a Time

➔ SB 2-C and SB 4-C: Immigration and Enforcement Measures (Enacted February 2025)

• In-State Tuition

  • Description: Undocumented immigrants are no longer eligible for in-state tuition at Florida public colleges and universities.

  • Potential Impact: Reduces access to higher education and workforce opportunities.

    
    

• Criminal Penalties for Undocumented Immigrants

  • Description: Undocumented individuals convicted of capital felonies may now face the death penalty.

  • Potential Impact: Raises human rights concerns and potential legal challenges.

    
    

• State Board of Immigration Enforcement

  • Description: A new board has been created to oversee immigration enforcement statewide.

  • Potential Impact: Centralizes and intensifies state-level immigration actions.

    
    

• Law Enforcement Immigration Funding

  • Description: Additional funding and officer bonuses to support federal immigration enforcement efforts

  • Potential Impact: Could incentivize aggressive policing and erode trust in immigrant communities.

    
    

• Criminalization of Illegal Entry

  • Description: Adults entering or attempting to enter Florida illegally face mandatory jail time.

  • Potential Impact: May increase incarceration rates and burden local systems.

    
    

• Criminalization of Aiding Undocumented Immigrants

  • Description: Providing transportation or shelter to undocumented immigrants is now criminalized.

  • Potential Impact: Could deter humanitarian assistance and harm community support networks.

Stalling Clean Energy, One Ban at a Time

➔ SB 1624 and HB 1645: Reducing Climate Change Focus in Legislative Intent (pending 2025)

• Description: Large omnibus bill that prohibits wind turbines in coastal waters and agricultural properties within one mile off the coast.

• Potential Impact: This bill signals a departure to previous commitments to protect our environment. Exploration of renewable energy sources will be limited, greenhouse emission may increase, and electric vehicle adoption will be reduced---thus contributing to increased pollution, less environmental sustainability and possible destruction of the biodiversity that is unique to Florida.

Making it Harder to Vote

➔ SB 1330 & HB 831: Voter Registration and Voting Requirements (pending 2025)

• Description: Requires first-time voters to present a U.S. passport or birth certificate.

• Potential Impact: Could disenfranchise eligible voters without ready access to required documents.

Silencing Grassroots Voices

➔ SB 1414: Constitutional Amendment Criteria (pending 2025)

• Description: Eliminates volunteer petition collection for constitutional amendments and increases criminal penalties for sponsors.

• Potential Impact: Seeks to undermine citizen-led initiatives and limit grassroots democratic participation.