DeSantis vs. the Mouse House; Biden vs. Trump: Letters to the Editor, May 7, 2023

Editorial hit all the right notes

Your May 4 editorial depicting the behavior of Gov. DeSantis was right on.

It's especially spot-on for we homeowners who have seen their home insurance premiums more than double in the last three years, as the DeSantis-led legislature hurls one piece of red meat after another to the insurance companies.

That sin notwithstanding, we now need to guard our books, wonder if certain citizens will get health care because of their gender and watch every stranger we encounter, wondering if he or she is packing a gun under a shirt.

Enough. Go run for president and leave us alone in this political Disney World you have created.

Joe Tierno, Melbourne Beach

More: Editorial: Non-woke legislature is asleep when it comes to matters that mean something

Editorial seems out of touch

I read with interest the May 4 piece titled "Legislature is too hung up on not being woke," which was cited as an editorial by our paper's editorial board. It was a jab at our lawmakers and Gov. DeSantis. I asked myself if I was witnessing something on the order of the now-famous Bud Lite fiasco. That case represents an organization not in tune with its "consumers" and then losing their support.

This editorial was critical of our legislature and governor for not acting on certain items supposedly important to Florida's citizens while concentrating on the "woke" hysteria. However, locally I've heard almost universal praise for our state leaders not bending to the "woke" bull, especially when it involves our kids.

I like our paper but want to caution the editorial staff to not risk being out of touch with us "consumers." While not as obvious as with Anheuser-Busch, it bears contemplation since it is advertised as an official board position.        

George Minto, Titusville

Who are our reps representing?

Recent polls performed by the University of South Florida and Florida International University, relative to the hot topics of gun safety and abortion access, showed interesting results given current legislation.

Fifty-nine percent support and approve the recent gun control moves passed by the Biden administration including increased background checks, funding for crisis intervention and preventing those convicted of domestic abuse from buying guns.

Further, they strongly support more red flag laws, universal background checks and mandatory waiting periods. Over 80% (5 of 6) support stricter gun laws; 61% support a ban on semiautomatic rifles and shotguns.

What did our “representatives” do in Florida? Passed permitless carry for concealed weapons.

Additionally, 57% disapprove of overturning Roe v. Wade and 57% oppose legislation to ban abortions after 15 weeks.

What did our “representatives” do? Passed an abortion ban after six weeks.

The obvious answer to the question is not the voters in Florida, so who are our “representatives” representing? To quote Deep Throat in "All the President’s Men," follow the money.

Robert Schaefer, Melbourne Beach

More: DeSantis v. Disney: GOP lawmakers give governor more muscle ahead of court fight

We need a true fishing pier

The Cocoa Beach Pier was never meant to be a place to get drunk and not fish. It's now a tourist trap with high parking fees.

Florida fishing piers are disappearing and getting old. Brevard needs a leader to spearhead a drive to get a 1,000-foot pier built in the county. South Brevard would be better with Melbourne so crowded.

A fishing pier is healthy for young people to fish and get to know nature.

To see a true fishing pier go to Naples or Juno, where Juno Pier was built a little higher to withstand hurricanes. Brevard is not moving ahead in many ways.

Patrick Schroeder, Cocoa

So. Many. Satellites.

I don't want to spoil the party, but is any responsible authority or agency monitoring the number of satellites that the mercurial and unpredictable Elon Musk's company SpaceX is launching into the atmosphere?

Is there a limit? 1,000? One million? Where will it end?

Ernest Lee, Melbourne

Governor's costly moves

Stop, just stop.

Gov. DeSantis is costing Florida taxpayers a fortune. Every time he picks a fight with anyone or about anything — transgender, LGBTQ+, Disney, “woke,” book banning — it is costing us, the taxpayers, lots of money. Who do you think foots the legal bills? We do.

This isn’t a fight I chose to get into. I am not a person who sues for spite.

Stop, just stop. Get with the issues and resolve these issues in session, not in the courts. These are frivolous lawsuits and have to be stopped. Be responsible with our tax dollars.

Laura Petruska, Melbourne

There's no 'conversion' conspiracy

References to sex in western literature have been with us starting with the Bible (“What did Biden say about your kids? Here’s why you should be alarmed," April 30). Why is it something to be alarmed about because Gov. DeSantis and Moms for Liberty have latched on to it to make political points? We do not have to remove all references to sex from our public schools because politicians are trolling for votes.

Some parents do not want their children exposed to subjects related to sex or learn about the LGBTQ community.  Like parents in previous generations, they are free to enroll their children to private schools where they may not bring up sexuality as much. Yes, it is expensive but that is the trade-off for not forcing their views about sexuality on whole communities. These parents don’t realize they are doing a disservice to their children by not allowing them to learn about sexuality in the safe environment of school classrooms.

Sexuality and LGBTQ people can be seen everywhere, including TV, commercials, the internet, work spaces and other many other places. Children will run into both sooner or later. It is part of human existence. There is no big conspiracy to convert children into something evil as politicians will have us believe so they can get our vote.

Gerry Harris, Cape Canaveral

Let's talk, not target

It’s rich, rich with irony.

The April 28 edition of FLORIDA TODAY had articles about actions and reactions of two of our state leaders after digging themselves into holes.

Rep. Fine objected to an ethics committee’s findings about abuse and misuse of his position in the Florida House.  He called the committee results politically motivated. Next was Gov. DeSantis complaining that the Disney lawsuit is political, after he and the Legislature overplayed their hands — and likely our tax dollars — while they punch at a corporation for exercising its right to voice an opposing view.

Fine and DeSantis can express their views of what is “political," but I hope we observers can discern who is truly using their political machine to target perceived enemies rather than engage in fruitful discourses. Perhaps I should request to remain anonymous to stay off any “list," but I have no power to fear — other than that of the pen.

Gary Houchens, Melbourne Beach

More: Evans community center threatened with closure in wake of cash shortfall

Hoping the mouse roars

I am very happy that Disney has filed a federal lawsuit against Ron DeSantis, in order to stop him from weaponizing the government against a private company. I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone and under a dictatorship.

Disney’s position is very clear and they are going to be able to prove their position. As I think we heard in another case recently, it’s “crystal clear” that DeSantis has a personal agenda and it’s all based on revenge. The facts have been played out in public, with everyone witnessing the debacle. I don’t think it will be hard for any jury to determine that this is a political agenda and not in the best interest of Florida. DeSantis' office keeps stating that this is the “will of the Florida voters." If that’s true, let’s vote on just that issue and DeSantis would lose hands down.

Disney has run Reedy Creek better than any other county government in the state of Florida. Disney needs to win this lawsuit and in this suit Reedy Creek needs to be returned to Disney to manage successfully, as they have for the last 50 years. We do not want Disney to be in the same disarray that we currently find this state.

Jackie Buscemi, Viera

Those two guys again?

Let me get this straight. If you believe current polls, our nominees for president in 2024 may be an old guy who hides in a basement and another narcissistic old guy who can’t stop talking. Neither have the capacity to bring the country together nor a scintilla of leadership in their being.

I’m thinking America could do better.

Ernie Sanchez, Melbourne

Tune in for more drama

I find it fascinating watching Republican Party sycophants scramble, issuing statements in support of Donald Trump, feigning consternation regarding his criminal indictment in New York. Some claiming it to be politically motivated, an unwarranted attack in an effort to prevent Trump from achieving the 2024 presidential nomination.

Not surprisingly, everyday Trump supporters actually believe the allegations to be unfounded in spite of overwhelming evidence justifying his indictment. Trump supporters are blind to the truth, ignoring facts, accepting claims of a witch-hunt issued by Trump.

Republican Party elected office holders offer support of Trump out of fear should he succeed in attaining the presidential nomination or somehow manage to get re-elected. Trump is compiling a list of those not announcing their support or showing loyalty for him. Retribution is his modus operandi and he attacks with a vengeance, inflicting severe punishment.

Republican officeholders are aware of Trump's methods and are taking steps to protect themselves from his wrath should he resume the presidency.

Intriguing to observe, the soap opera is just beginning.

Gregory W. Hewitt, Melbourne

Our children will have to save us

Climate change, gun control, abortion possibilities -- these are probably some of the most important problems for the youth of our country. I believe that it will be up to them to save this country from going backwards to the 19th century.

It is really a shame to have to count on our children to be adult enough to vote for sensible rules and laws. We have come such a long way to come up so short when the Supreme Court, one of the most revered pillars of our country, sinks to the depths it now has gone.

It seems there are very few leaders who still have any morals, and I don't think it's a lack of religious practices, either. The church has been as bad as any other group. We've lost the Golden Rule in our country.  It was a basic tenet of almost every religion, to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, or words with the same meaning. Would you want someone to come at you with an AK-47? Unless you are suicidal, I don't suppose you would. Would you want to be grabbed out of your car because of an outdated license plate, and beaten and shot to death? Of course not.

If you have any feelings left for our fellow humans, please try to think of the Golden Rule. I would say heaven help us, but I don't believe in heaven. So please vote whenever a vote comes up, in order to change things.

Ruth Ceike Meier, Melbourne

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: DeSantis, Disney and tax dollars: Letters to the Editor, May 7, 2023