In This Issue:
From the County Chair
Lerner Campaign Takes Off
Are You Better Off. . .?
Legislative Wrap-up
Right to Clean Water
When You Know Better, Do Better
The Myth of Failing Schools
Join the Democratic Society
Democratic Doings
Help for Precinct Leaders
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From the County Chair
The Difference Will Be Showing Up
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by Jim Rosinus
It used to be, years ago, that there was a subset of voters identified as “Undecided” who could be swayed to favor one or another candidate. Much time and effort was spent over the years trying to persuade Undecideds to vote one way or the other.
There are no more Undecideds. As a nation, we are polarized as we have not been since the 1850s. And the sides are set in their beliefs. Yes, there are a few who switch sides, change party affiliation, dropout—or in—of active politics, but these are individuals. There is no large bloc of persuadable voters. Those who tell pollsters they “Don’t Know” or are “Undecided” are either not telling the truth or so divorced from civic responsibility that they are not going to vote anyway.
So, if we cannot convince people to come over to the side of reason and light, how do we win elections, especially when we are the minority party in the county?
Turnout.
Democrats and sympathetic like-minded NPAs need to turn out in larger numbers than the opposition. It can be done. And this is the year to do it.
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In the recent Republican presidential primary, one out of five Republicans voted for someone other than Trump despite the fact none of them were active candidates. In Lee County that number was 1 out 4. 25% of Lee Republicans want someone other than Trump as their candidate. Their other candidates are scandal ridden and proposing highly unpopular ideas such as sunsetting Social Security and Medicaid, restricting women’s health choices and politicizing education.
On our side, there are ballot initiatives to protect abortion rights and legalize marijuana both of which drive Democratic turnout. And we have young, active vibrant candidates.
But that is not enough. The sad fact is Democrats have voted at lower rates than Republicans in the past. Democracy might not survive if Democrats don’t vote.
So how do we increase our turnout? The simplest and easiest way is Vote-by-Mail (VBM). We can literally double Democratic turnout by using Vote-by-Mail. If you are not currently enrolled in VBM, please do so now. If you are enrolled in VBM, join us in our push to enroll your friends and neighbors. Register for the Days of Action canvassing in any of these areas starting in April:
Remember: When Democrats vote, Democrats win! Be part of the Win in 2024!
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Reserve the weekend of May 3-5 for the Florida Democratic Party’s 2024 Leadership Blue at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Go to leadershipblue.com to purchase tickets and book hotel rooms (sharing highly encouraged).
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Support the
Lee County
Democratic Party
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Lerner Campaign Takes Off |
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Kari Lerner is making waves in the political landscape as she runs for Congress, challenging Representative Byron Donalds. With a campaign that has hit the ground running, Lerner's team is already actively engaging with the community by canvassing, raising money, and holding Donalds accountable on critical issues such as election tampering, the response to Hurricane Ian, and his pursuit of another office while still in his current role.
Lerner's campaign is built on the pillars of integrity, transparency, competence, fairness, and independence, reflecting her commitment to putting the needs of the people first and acting independently for the sake of the district. Kari’s campaign is focused on key issues such as hurricane relief, affordable housing, and women's health, reflecting her commitment to addressing the urgent needs of her constituents. As she faces a challenging race in a district with a strong Republican majority, Lerner remains undeterred, buoyed by her "superpower" of being underestimated and by the support of voters who share her vision for a more accountable and inclusive representation.
Kari’s is poised to bring her experience, leadership, and advocacy to Congress, representing the voices of her community with the same vigor that led to her previous electoral success.
If you’d like to get involved with the campaign, there are lots of volunteer opportunities and you can visit her website. |
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Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago? |
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By Rosemary Giovannone
Four years ago, America was in the throes of Covid. On January 22, 2020, Trump claimed, “We have it totally under control.” On February 25th, 2020, “We have very few people with it.” August 5th, 2020, it was “No question in my mind that it will go away.” He endorsed the use of Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug with no medical basis for Covid treatment. Trump also touted ultraviolet light to cleanse inside the body and directly injecting disinfectant. The Trump administration encouraged prematurely opening schools against CDC recommendations. Over 400,000 people died from Covid. Unemployment soared by 1.6 percentage points and the economy lost 2.9 million jobs (6.9%) by the end of his administration. Trump’s promises of “Infrastructure Week” never materialized.
What have President Biden and the Democrats done for the country?
The American Rescue Plan: In response to COVID-19, Biden with the Centers for Disease Control administered and tracked COVID-19; provided free vaccinations across the country; low-to-medium income households received a $1400 payment for necessities; unemployment benefits for 9.7 million people out of work were extended; $7.25 billion was allotted for small business loans and $128 billion for state education agencies.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill: This provided over $300 billion Read More
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Support the Lee County Democratic Party |
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Legislative Wrap-up
by Madison Fitzpatrick
I spent the first two months of 2024 in Tallahassee, working in the Senate Democratic Office. During my time there, I was lucky enough to watch many good bills pass through their committees and through the Senate. Being able to watch our state’s legislative process in person was an incomparable experience. However, this legislative session was unfortunately riddled with bills that will harm Floridians.
The Republican majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate made it virtually impossible for any Democratic voices throughout the state to be heard. Any attempts that Democrats made to amend bad bills were met with a sea of downvotes from those did not care to hear their fact-based arguments. With their majority, the Republicans were able to completely silence the Democratic Senators and Representatives, along with all Democratic Floridians. A great example of this is our very own Senator Martin, of Lee County’s District 33. Bills that he, along with his Republican colleagues passed this session, included SB 1530: Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping, which effectively criminalizes the use of parks and public areas as temporary shelters for homeless individuals. It has been proven time and time again this type of legislation does not help those who are homeless- it only puts strain on the legal system and can increase crime among the homeless population. This is not the only example, of course. Consider HB 3: Online Protections for Minors, another piece of legislation that is going to harm Floridians. Republicans often boast about their love of freedom and parental choice (as if Democrats don’t also value these things!), yet they pass legislation such as HB 3, which effectively tells parents how to parent their children. Banning children under 14 from having social media accounts, and not allowing parents to override this or have a say in the matter is a gross overstep of power from our legislature.
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We need to continue to hold our representatives accountable for their actions for their votes. Their actions during the legislative session affects us here—in our homes, in our schools, and in our workplaces. We must make sure that those we vote into office are voting with us in mind and are actually representing our wants, needs, and values. We must vote blue in our election to ensure that our legislators are working for us and not against us. In Lee County, that means electing Phillip Ray Carter (District 27) and Christopher Proia (District 33) to the Florida State Senate and James Blue (District 76), Cornelius Fowler (District 77), Howard Sapp (District 78), Denise McCleary (District 79), and Mitchel Schlayer (District 80) to the Florida House. Connect with them on the candidates’ page at the Lee County Dems website. |
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April is Earth Month
Let's Guarantee Our Right to Clean Water
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By Kitty Kern
We, the voters of Florida have a right to vote on an amendment to our constitution stipulating clean waters. The majority of our rivers, springs, and lakes are polluted, manatees are dying, there is an explosion of red tide and blue-green algae, our economy and businesses are hurt, and fecal bacteria has entered our estuaries, streams and rivers. How is this possible after 50 years of the Clean Water Act and a robust body of environmental laws?
The existing legal framework allows special interests to dictate Florida's water policy. Amending the Florida Constitution is the only way to make water protection safe from the reach of special interest politics and place it in the hands of those motivated by science and the public interest. Rights under this amendment will be enforceable by any person, to include nonprofits, tribes, businesses, and government entities.
We at Florida RTCW must gather nearly one million petitions on the ballot for the 2026 election. We fell short for the 2024 election. Readers who previously signed the petition proposing an amendment to the Florida constitution should have received direct mail asking for their help. One of our advertising goals is to sponsor highway billboards. A donation would help us achieve our goal. Please note on your check, “for Lee County.” If you did not previously sign the petition, please do so. To find the petition as well as more information, go to floridarighttocleanwater.org. Be sure to use your mailing address on the petition. To reach a local contact, email LeeRighttoCleanWater@gmail.com. |
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Share the message - #DemocratsDeliver #DemocratsCare
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When You Know Better, Do Better
By Jill Pellis
Do you believe it? Governor DeSantis now blames “activist” teachers and principals for “hijacking” the process of banning books. Suddenly, our illustrious governor supports a limit on book bans in schools and even argues that book bans are a “hoax, fraud, theater, and performative.” Really Governor? You’re saying this NOW after 176,000 books were pulled from Lee County classrooms, 60,000 of which are still waiting to be vetted? What changed your mind? Was it the onslaught of public outrage (70% of parents are against book bans) or possibly the successful PEN America lawsuit against the district of Escambia for banning 1,500 books, violating First Amendment rights?
Think of the ramifications of your actions, Governor. Your change of heart is too late for students in hundreds of classrooms where bookshelves were emptied of teacher-purchased, parent-donated books.
It’s too late for hundreds of teachers who have resigned or taken early retirement, adding to the dire teacher shortage, due to the current caustic and restrictive environment, the threat of felony prosecution, termination, and loss Read More
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The Myth of Failing Schools
By Ray Clasen
Americans have been subjected in recent years to a relentless propaganda campaign suggesting that public education in our country is failing and only a private sector business model can save it. A recent letter to the editor stated: “The United States graduates a high percentage of functional illiterates every year who cannot understand basic forms. While many school districts get bogged down in social engineering and debate the horrors of French fries and chocolate milk in the cafeteria, the Germans, Chinese and Japanese are kicking our butts in math and science.” My own mother, bless her, often asks me, “Why are the schools doing so poorly?” And I’m not sure she really believes me when I explain to her that far from doing poorly, most public schools are doing remarkably well.
Granted, there are some schools in our country, mostly in our inner cities and in some rural areas, where endemic poverty and chronic unemployment have driven parents and students to give up on the idea of achieving a better life through education. For these often-underfunded schools, the problem is more economic than educational. But these schools are not representative of the high level of achievement of most American public schools.
Year after year, polls show that over 80% of parents are happy with their children’s teachers and Read More
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Join The Democratic Society
Now’s the time to join the Lee County Democratic Society. Not only will you be helping the Party to elect Democrats, you’ll enjoy the benefits of VIP access during this critical election year. Get “up close and personal” with well-known Dems who pass through Lee County in 2024.
Join at the Silver level for $1000. You’ll get 1 VIP admission to every special event, a private candidate meet and greet, Gala cocktail reception, and access to the VIP seating section. You can even join with a monthly payment of $85.
Or, become a Gold member for $5000. Gold members receive 2 VIP admissions to every special event, plus an enamel pin, and program sponsorship acknowledgment.
Or be a Platinum member for $10,000. Platinum members receive 4 VIP admission to every special event, plus a plaque, and program sponsorship acknowledgment.
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Precinct Leaders Chat through the Reach App
Are you a Precinct leader looking for information specifically for you? Where you can share what’s working, brainstorm ideas for engagement and by support and motivate each other through community? Watch for it soon through our own chat group in the Reach app. It provides an easy-to-use platform to organize and initiate conversations specific to Lee County Precinct Leaders.
Start by downloading the app. Our group chat will soon be set up through the Florida Democrats chat. You need to join that first, sure to ADD that you are in Lee County to the automated email. After joining you will be able to join the Lee Democrats chat with the Campaign Key of 4SHESZ
The Lee Precinct Leaders Chat will be a sub-group of Lee Democrats in the Reach app. If you would like an invitation once it is available send your name, phone, zip code to Amy Blakeley. |
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Democratic Doings
There’s a lot happening with Lee County Democrats. Want to find out what’s going on? Check out our calendar of events. Find it here. You’ll find info about upcoming meetings of clubs and caucuses as well as candidate events and lots of GOTV activities. |
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Help with The Informed Democrat
The Informed Democrat is sent to subscribers and posted on the LeeCountyDems.org website on the first of the month. Do you have something you’d like to share with your fellow Democrats in Lee County? Do you have a club or an event Lee County Dems should know about? Please contact The Informed Democrat, at InformedDemocrat@gmail.com.
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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.
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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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