Issue 35 | June 2023
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FDP Update
Florida Democrats Vote to be More Democratic!
By Mike Bonacolta

During the last election process for state Committeepeople, I spoke heavily on the need to end the weighted vote that the Florida Democratic Party uses. For those who don't know the weighted vote, it allows a member to cast multiple votes. In the case of Lee County, our State Committeepeople cast 14 votes each. Large counties such as Broward and Miami Dade get 59 votes each, 236 votes in the hands of just four people. I have long thought this to be highly undemocratic.

As a representative for our County to the Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee, I have worked on the effort to end this undemocratic process. To open our party up to everyone and to increase the voices of the people. I am happy to announce it is done; with 73% of the vote, the weighted vote has ended.

Now, what does this mean going forward? Well, it means a few things. For one, it begins in our next leadership election in 2024. At that time, Lee County will elect 9 State Committeepeople, each counting as just one vote within the FDP. We must also meet the diversity goals outlined in the plan to ensure that our slate of SEC members accurately represents our County and that everyone is heard and represented.

This means our County must continue to work to grow in numbers and diversity. Some within the opposition tried to pose this task as a challenge. I welcome it as a necessity for our party. To grow our presence in this County, we must expand our coalition. It starts here by empowering people to be the change they long to see.

We will rise to the occasion, and in 2024, we will elect an accurate representation of our community to be a united voice for this County within the FDP.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me by email.
El Demócrata Informado Now Available
Announcing El Demócrata Informado—the new Spanish-language edition of the Lee County Democrats’ monthly newsletter, available on the leecountydems.org website. Tell your Spanish speaking friends about it. Also, we could use more help with this edition. We would welcome writers as well as people who can help with proofreading. If you are interested, send an email to informeddemocrat@gmail.com.
The “Free” State of Florida???

Are you been confused by the DeSantis rhetoric about the “Free State of Florida”? Is it hard for you to see how censorship of reading materials, restrictive abortion laws, permitless concealed carry provisions, and anti-gay, anti-trans legislation passed this year make us free? Well, New York Times columnist, Jamelle Bouie, explains the new Republican Four Freedoms:
“There is the freedom to control—to restrict the bodily autonomy of women and repress the existence of anyone who does not conform to traditional gender roles.
“There is the freedom to exploit—to allow the owners of business and capital to weaken labor and take advantage of workers as they see fit.
“There is the freedom to censor—to suppress ideas that challenge and threaten the ideologies of the ruling class.
“And there is the freedom to menace—to carry weapons wherever you please, to brandish them in public, to turn the right of self-defense into a right to threaten other people
“Roosevelt’s four freedoms were the building blocks of a humane society—a social democratic aspiration for egalitarians then and now. These Republican freedoms are also building blocks not of a humane society but of a rigid and hierarchical one, in which you can either dominate or be dominated.”
Why I'm a Democrat

By Madison Fitzpatrick
My life has been filled with hearing arguments from the left and the right--Democrats versus Republicans in a fight over political morality. Both sides of the political spectrum use their morals to justify their political stances, but it is clear to me which side of the aisle truly relies on what is morally right or wrong--the left. This is not to say that the left is absolutely flawless and that there is no need for any change; however, there is a clear difference in the stances that Democrats take versus the stances that Republicans take based on their sense of morality. I have included examples of right-wing legislation below to show that there is a direct contrast between my moral stances and the legislation being signed into law by the Florida legislature.

For instance, I believe that discussion about LGBT-related issues is not inappropriate for minors and that restricting such discussion will lead to further discrimination and oppression against those within the community (HB 1069). I have the same belief about Critical Race Theory (HB 7: Individual Freedom). I also believe that women should have the right to an abortion because pregnancy and motherhood are huge, life-altering decisions to be made. That decision should not be in the hands of those who will not be affected by its outcome (SB 300). Furthermore, I have no issue with the incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Florida schools (SB 266).

Please keep in mind that the examples that I have provided show the fight that the right is currently leading. Against people in the LGBT community, people of color, women, and equity. That fight does not represent my morals, and I urge you to consider what political party truly represents your morals as well.
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How Do We Win?

By Howard Sapp
As we face the many divides in our country, our states, and even the cities in which we live, we are all dealing with so many thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We are fighting for our rights, our homes, our education, our safety, our health, our borders, and so much more. We must begin to look within ourselves, begin to individualize how these things affect us, and ask what is really important to me? Apart from a party or group or club or any coalition, we have to get personal with ourselves.

From there, we can articulate what we believe and come together with like-minded people and become more unified as we realize our commonalities. The Democratic party has historically been a party of passion, and compassion; but, in the wake of the promotion of individualism, it seems that we have lost the foundation of what first brought us together, our love and care for one another.

But here is where we make our stand. Here is where we get back to our foundational mantra “and justice for ALL”. Here is where we “Lift Every Voice” and begin to speak from a voice of oneness with a strong cohesive message that resonates and reverberates a unity that has long been missing in our democratic message.

How do we win? We win with many hands of help, we win with our many voices speaking in unison with our message woven together to form a complete and diverse foundation that is not easily shaken or destroyed. How do we win? We win by including, we win by listening, by supporting the weakest and hearing the faintest voice. How do we win? We win by leaving no one behind.

We win with persons of every race, color, creed, ethnicity, gender, age, social status, physical ability or disability, religion. We win with YOU!
Now let’s go for the Win!!
Support Florida Amendment to Restore Women’s Reproductive Rights

In a closed-door ceremony hidden away from the broader electorate, Ron DeSantis signed one of the most extreme abortion bans in the nation. It outlaws abortion before most women even realize they are pregnant. It takes away personal freedom of millions of Florida women.
We can fight back! Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF) is a statewide coalition working to protect Floridians’ access to reproductive health care and defend the right to bodily autonomy. They have begun a citizen-led ballot initiative, the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion,” seeking to create a Constitutional Amendment explicitly banning laws that prohibit, delay, or restrict abortion access. They will need signed petitions from approximately 893,000 Florida registered voters by the end of the year to get the proposed Constitutional Amendment on the 2024 ballot. Once the Amendment is on the ballot, 60% of Florida voters must approve. Polls show that 67% of Floridians support a woman's right to choose.

The coalition supporting the proposed Constitutional Amendment includes groups such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Florida Rising, and Women's Voices of Southwest Florida.
If you would like to print copies of the petition and mail them in (address is on the petition) you can go out to www.flfree.link/petition. Only Florida registered voters may sign a petition. Please make certain you complete ALL the required information. (The address includes "County" some people incorrectly fill this out as "Country")

Want to do more to help? Volunteer with Floridians Protecting Freedom by signing up at www.flfree.link/volunteer. There are weekly online training sessions for volunteers every Tuesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. To register for a volunteer training session, go out to www.flfree.link/events.
If you would like to make a donation to the effort or get more information, go out to www.floridisansprotectingfreedom.com.
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Judicial Independence and The Supreme Court--The Indictment 

By Dr. Wayne Swanson
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the delicate checks and balances system which forms the basis of American democracy.  Although federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, judicial independence is correctly thought to be a core requirement when judges decide cases based solely according to law and the Constitution. An independent Supreme Court has often served as a valuable check on the political process.  Even when difficult cases involving controversial social issues bring them close to partisan interpretations, candor, respect for precedent, and clearly written opinions are required to sustain both the appearance and reality of judicial impartiality.

In other words, judges should not use their power for partisan purposes.  Personal favoritism, family relationships, business connections, or financial dealings may also undermine independence if judges are perceived to be “playing ball” with one party or other favored associations. Read more
Floridians For Democracy

In late February, as autocratic actions increased in Florida, a small group gathered in SW Florida to consider how to combat this trend. Their answer? "The 1939 Project,” recalling America’s brush with autocracy symbolized by the infamous Nazi rally, "America First," held in Madison Square Garden in 1939. In just two months, this pro-democracy group has incorporated a statewide network as Floridians for Democracy (FFD) with over 450 members focused on a shared mission to protect democracy.

Learn more about the group on WGCU’s Gulf Coast Live May 15 broadcast—here’s a link. Join the upcoming zoom event with David Pepper, author of Saving Democracy: A User Manual for Every American (May2023) and its predecessor, Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines (2021). Floridians for Democracy have teamed up with SWFL Voices for Racial Justice to sponsor this event on June 15, 5:30 EST. Here is detailed information including Zoom links.
School Board Updates—How You Can Help! 
By Sharon McGill 
The May School Board meeting revised some of the elements of the Guardian program that cleared its first reading in April. District employees whose primary responsibility is classroom instruction will be exempt from serving as Guardians. Some areas of concern surfaced in the second reading including confusion that might stem from allowing Administrators to may make a Guardian their "designee" for administering discipline as well as
a new clause regarding "temporary duty" which would allow Guardian candidates to be paid for training from District funds. This was supposed to be a volunteer program with funds coming from the state and no additional costs to the district. This will need to be monitored.

The ILA (Inter Local Agreement) between the School District and the town of Fort Myers Beach
was finalized in May. The district is making a huge financial and resource commitment to a school that prior to Ian had fewer than 80 students and enrollment had been declining for years. It is estimated that the school will have 52 students at the start of the '23/'24 school year. The historic building is going to be restored as the first phase of a four year plan, with an ad-hoc committee established to monitor compliance with the ILA. The cost per student is still going to be significantly higher than the rest of the district until enrollment is significantly increased.
The Board finished reviewing all their policies in May. They will now be available for the public to review and the Board will vote on them in June.  The Code of Conduct for the '23/'24 school year is also up for public review and comment. The policy for selection of Board Advisory Committee members is extremely important. There are five different committees and information can be found on the District website. The Curriculum and Equity committees are significant due to the direct impact their recommendations can have on students. In addition, the District is particularly in need of individuals experienced in finance or construction for those two committees.

Since the Board appoints committee members, all viewpoints may not be equally represented based on make-up of the Board. Think about applying to participate on one of the committees so informed democrats will continue to have a voice. Applications for the '23/'24 school year are currently being accepted and can be found at leeschools.net.
Some news from the Purple Group. Any citizen may ask to serve on their school district's textbook selection committee. This is a good role for thinkers! Were you a history, humanities, or American studies major??? Do you keep up with news? Step up.
In case you missed this, the PURPLE GROUP is a group of concerned Lee County residents, including parents and students who are speaking out against any kind of restrictive book policies in our schools. Why Purple? Access to books should be a non-partisan issue. Blue + Red = PURPLE. This represents all children in the district. The group posts information about media materials on SLACK.com under “The Purple Group.” Check it out and meet some members of the group.

Based on the new challenge policy in front of the Board, it looks like the Purple Group may have had some impact. Still, there is time for opponents to try to impact the policy. We must stay vigilant, show up at Board meetings, and email the Board to support the proposed policy, #2522.

The next school board meetings are scheduled for Tuesday 6/13 and 6/27 at 6p. The 6/27 meeting will be the vote on policy. There are also workshops and briefings scheduled during June. Since agendas are only posted a few days before the meeting and may change up until the meeting, it is wise to check the District’s website for updates.
2nd Annual Golf Tournament - Dems Enjoy Lunch at San Carlos Golf Course
Published monthly by the Lee County Democratic Party
Editor: Melissa Butler
If you have comments, questions, ideas about features you'd like to see, or would like to volunteer to help, contact us at informeddemocrat@gmail.com.
The Democratic Party of Lee County is an all-volunteer organization. We do not receive any funding from the Florida Democratic Party nor the national Democratic Party.
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