Just two months ago, it was hard to envision Florida becoming a player in helping slow the growing MAGA trend. Today, while still an uphill climb, Florida is “in-play” politically. Two ballot amendments are instructive. Amendment 1, placed on the ballot by the legislature, would increase our already over-politicized public school system by requiring all school board members to be elected through partisan campaigns. This would also disenfranchise nearly 30% of Florida voters (independent and no party affiliates) from helping select school board members or having a fair chance to run for school board. Amendment 4, a citizen-led initiative, would restore women’s reproductive rights following the Florida legislature’s May 1 law restricting abortions. This draconian law placed Florida among the most restrictive of all states in the nation with a near-total abortion ban that puts medical decisions in the hands of politicians instead of patients. Not only does this law place women’s health at great risk, it also creates legal fears among trained medical professionals to do what is clinically appropriate.  (NOTE: Florida's "leadership" is working hard to subvert the voice of the people to determine women's reproductive rights. See article: "DeSantis et al. employing dirty tricks trying to thwart abortion ballot initiative.")

Gutter Politics

One of our recent speakers on the subject of Fake News, what to do about it, and election integrity was former St. Louis Post-Dispatch publisher Nick Penniman IV. Nick recently published a short book, "Gutter Politics." It is instructive of money and power not just in one community but throughout our nation. We encourage you to take a look at this short non-fiction as well as the YouTube recording of our Sept. 19 program. It was one of our highest rated presentations.

HELP SAVE AND PROTECT DEMOCRACY

Rick Wilson is a Florida native and co-founder of The Lincoln Project. He was a longtime Republican political strategist, award-winning ad-maker, and political commentator. In 2015, Rick emerged as one of the earliest and most vocal critics of Donald Trump, helping found the Never Trump movement. His work has been widely published in a variety of media outlets. He is often called upon for sharp-edged and witty political insight, and has provided strategic counsel to candidates, parties, corporate, associations, and government clients across the nation and around the world.

David Silverberg is a writer and editor with extensive experience covering political, military and security topics. He conceived and launched numerous specialized media outlets, both print and digital during a 32-year career based in Washington, DC. He was the managing editor of The Hill, was the founding editor of the homeland security magazine HSToday, and is the author of the book Congress for Dummies.

He moved to Naples in 2013, and in 2018 he began producing The Paradise Progressive blog to cover Southwest Florida politics that he felt were not getting sufficient attention from local media. 

Dr. Dale Anderson is a Sarasota resident and an active volunteer at local nonprofit organizations. His career included practicing internal and emergency medicine, managing group practices, and working as a healthcare executive and consultant with large hospital systems. Over the past five years he has been actively researching and presenting on topics related to fascism, authoritarianism and the future of our democracy. He is an Advisor for Choose Democracy Now which provides an organizing platform for citizens to become Democracy Activists and work to preserve, protect and strengthen our democracy.

Organizing Partners: Floridians for Democracy and Collier Freedom

Program Partners: The Lincoln Project; Florida Veterans for Common Sense; Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples; Choose Democracy Now; The Paradise Progressive

WITH ONE MONTH TO GO: TAKE ACTION!

• Enroll in Vote-By-Mail before 5 pm, Thursday, Oct. 24
• Double-check your Vote-By-Mail status now
• Complete & return your Vote-By-Mail ASAP upon receiving it
• Track your completed ballot online to verify receipt
• Make sure all your relatives & friends are currently registered to vote
• Donate money to key races & fundraise – “give ‘til it feels great!”
• Volunteer for field campaign work – literature drops, calls, texts, postcards
• Commit to boost turnout & “chase” mail ballots – using your home phone  
• “Bird Dog” regressive candidates – challenge extremism and lies
• Submit Letters to the Editor and Opinion Columns
• Post on social media

A SPECIAL TREAT

As a true voice for freedom and the preservation of democracy, we provide links to three of many guest editorials written by Bob that reinforce the mission of Floridians for Democracy. Enjoy reading, learning, and strengthening your voice to speak up for democracy. It is easy to skip "links" to articles. For your personal experience and for those of others you may forward this to, don't skip ... please read! You won't regret!

• A letter from Rip Von Winkle in Florida
• Democracy versus fascism: I was wrong
• Who is responsible for authoritarian takeover in Florida?

Most recently, Bob wrote the story and the lyrics of a musical, "Piccadilly," that takes place at the end of WWII. It's premier showings will be at The Lab Theater in Fort Myers in late December.

Floridians for Democracy is a 501c4 organization. We envision a state of Florida where all elected leaders proactively implement laws ensuring all residents have equal opportunity, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation as granted by democratic freedoms dictated in the constitution. We collaborate with others to protect and preserve democracy.