>

Yup
The First Amendment is being tested there, right now, by banning books and controlling the information taught to children. If they are allowed to win that battle, we have lost much more than just a fight over some books in school.
Fascism begins with the control of information. That's why the First Amendment is first. Because it's the single most important one, the first one that any attempt to impose fascism will need to defeat.  If fascists dismantle the 1A they win, they control the information. If they lose this battle, information about what they're doing will travel freely which is what prevents fascism from taking hold.
This is a First Amendment battle. This is fascism trying to squash free speech. There's a LOT riding on this. >

Then why isn't America taking this much more seriously? I say this as a Canadian watching the lunatic right wing here start adopting republican practices due to their success down south. >

Even those of us paying attention are at a loss for what to do. The same party controls the entire state of Florida. They can reasonably pass whatever laws they please, and there isn’t much anyone can do about it. The only real hope for Florida is that Desantis steps down and runs for president. >

Does anyone in Florida protest in the streets in Florida?
Last election, even the Metro areas voted for DeSantis.
Val Demmings got beat easily for the senate, and Crist won the Democrat primary over Nikki Fried.
I seriously don’t think people give a rip in Florida as a whole anymore.
DeSantis and his LARPing has pacified a population that just a few years ago were protesting gun violence as a result of the Parkland shooting. >


Last election, even the Metro areas voted for DeSantis.

Partially because the Dems picked one of the most milquetoast candidates possible. Seems like they were TRYING to throw the election. At somepoint Dems are going to have to pick someone that is actually exciting. We're seeing that the strategy of "not being the other guy" can only work for so long. >

Yes, Nikki Fried seemed like an energetic candidate, that was firing up women and young people. >

She was also involved with a very public dispute with her partner at a hotel and she is involved with marijuana and to the boomers weed = bad 
Crist won bc he used to be a Republican and they went with him even though he is a conservative democrat now. >

So sexism?  How many divorces does Trump have and they love his drama ass? >

I had to look it up to make sure, but reports came out that her fiancé ~~now husband~~ was “abusive” to her where police escorted him off the hotel property. 
She dismissed the claims saying he wasn’t verbal or physical but the people running against her used that as bait for political ads against her as anyway as well as bringing up ethics disputes over financials, etc.. etc.. 
The older crowd voted for Crist because they remembered him from when he was a Republican and he was the “safe” choice, blah blah blah. 
It’s all bullshit here, but we are trying to push back. But it’s loaded with DeSantis/trump loyalists. 
A federal judge ruled that DeSantis illegally removed Andrew Warren who SIDED with warren and said that Warren was right and had his first amendment violated when DeSantis removed him but that he didn’t have the authority to reinstate him and upheld the suspension. So now it has to go to the Florida Supreme Court which is already severely biased and in favor of DeSantis. 
Maybe with DeSantis trying to take on Disney we can get more people involved but until it affects people personally, they don’t care at all. >


I had to look it up to make sure, but reports came out that her fiancé now husband was “abusive” to her where police escorted him off the hotel property. 

They aren't married and are no longer a couple. Just wanted to correct this. >

It seems to be thriving like mold in a Petrie dish. >

You mean peach tree dish? >

Peaches is Georgia not Florida >

It’s actually California, then South Carolina, then Georgia in third. >

And Kansas was their laboratory for their failed fiscal policies, Texas their laboratory for stripping back regulation on all things, and Mississippi is their laboratory for education policy, or the eradication of it. >

Don't forget Mississippi was also pioneering the chipping away of abortion rights, one targeted regulation at a time, even before Dobbs. Party of small government using regulation to strangle small businesses! >

There should be a maximum voting age. >

Why is this never taken seriously? It makes sense. Retirees should have very little influence on politics. Maybe then they will care about younger generations instead of constantly disparaging them. >

They are citizens and have the right to vote. So, yes, senior citizens should be able to do so. >

Should 5 year old citizens be able to do so? >


Ron DeSantis is not a "mini-Trump" or some other diminutive. He is much more dangerous. Donald Trump has no "ideology" beyond megalomania and a deep desire to be an American god king. By comparison, DeSantis is far more intelligent and devious; he is an ideological fascist and racial authoritarian.

/r/MarchAgainstDeSantis >

Donald Trump will NEVER EVER EVER yield what he sees as his rightful place at the head of the Republican Party. His ego is WAY to big and his lust for power and desire for that precious immunity while he pillages the country’s coffers is too strong. If the party won’t give him the nomination he WILL run as an independent thereby splitting the Republican vote and handing it to the Democrat. If the party does give him the nomination he will ONCE again get his fat ass trounced in the election. >

I can see this.  He'd probably do other things to sabotage desantis just for spite, too.   I need to stock up on popcorn >

This is timely because Trump started calling DeSantis a pedophile today. >

Nothing like watching two people you hate punching each other… 
It’s what driving the karma bus must feel like. >

Those paying attention already know this.
Those not paying attention don't want to pay attention, would rather have the wool pulled over their eyes to be pointed at some imagined enemy like a wind-up doll, as the fascism demands. >

Right, all those 1930s Germans who didn't have any problems with Jews but still supported the direction of the country for economic reasons.
Sorry, short version: Nazis. >

Floridians are worse.
Citizens of Gulf countries, Singapore, China, old Germany all had a presidency take them from poverty to middle/upper class. 
DeSantis has done nothing good. >

I would not state any modern nonviolent(or even like mildly violent) person is worse than a nazi but you’ve got the right energy >

Why? If you couldn’t afford to put food on the table and now live a life of comparative luxury with world class infrastructure etc, you’d support the people who got you there even if their monsters. (China, Gulf nations).
DeSantis has not done that for Floridians yet they still support him. >

It’s a laboratory for meth, too >

And breeding snakes and reptiles. >

Snakes are reptiles >

Interesting! I typically think of reptiles as having legs - but snakes have vestigial legs too! >

Not only do snakes have vestigial legs, there are legless lizards that slither on their bellies but are not snakes. Nature is weird. >


legless lizards that slither 

bruhhhh these things look whacky lol >

but my libertarian coworker says that it's not fascism, it's smart. He says that we need stronger men like Desantis leading our country because men today are weak and the weak get conquered, that if we hadn't become weak we would be the ones doing the conquering. Instead we allow anyone to come here, we feminize our men, and allow weak ideas like communism and workers rights to flourish in our society. Weak men create hard times.
Are you saying that my homeschooled 30 year old libertarian coworker who self defines himself as a warrior philosopher, debater personality type and thinks he has a Collegiate-level education because he plays hearts of iron IV and listens to Jordan Peterson could be wrong? Well, I never! >

They must be feeling really conflicted by Nick Offerman right now. >

Nick Offerman has been my go to example of “toxic masculinity being bad doesn’t mean masculinity is bad”. He is wholesome as fuck. >

He's a goddamn national treasure and his laugh is a panacea for all ailments >

“The government are all nazis!” >

“Well yeah, but not back then…” >

All because the brother of a former president was: "The democrats had the White House long enough." Followed by: "How dare you elect a black man as president who is a progressive. Let's elect the most racist backward people from now on!" >

Can we just put a big rubber band around the top of it and wait for it to shrivel and fall off? >

I know it won’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but this year will be the first time in about 15 years I won’t be vacationing in Florida. Fuck Governor Go-Go Boots and his fascist bullshit. >

Good on you! It’s a shame how few people actually vote with their wallet. If we all did, I think things would be quite different in the US >

I voted with my wallet by moving out of Florida, it wasn’t cheap. 
But, for every person like me who gets fed up and moves there are at least two conservative boomers moving there to replace us and make it even more fascist. >

I hate it here, the stupidity and cruelty in this state are off-the-charts horrible. My parents are elderly so I can't leave. >

Republican fascists are deeply offended by your interpretation of their fascist endeavors. >

The article meant to say... again. >

Freedom of religion? Fuck you. Education? Fuck you. Civil Rights? Fuck you. Immigration? Fuck you. Mickey Mouse? Fuck you. 
The lowest of the low anti-American, anti-democracy governor in the US >

This is the guy who they think will run for the Republicans in 2024!!??.  I feel after Trump and us all here in Canada saying “well thank god that’s over!” The Republicans are having a ‘hold my beer’ moment.  “Hey Canada, you thought Trump was crazy!?  Wait till you see this maniac from Florida!” >

all the people who "fled" california to FL are going to come back once they realize what they've gotten themselves into. >

God, I hope not. No takesies backsies. We were not sending our best. >

The fact nothing is being done and there doesn’t seem to be any opposition of these laws, it scares me to no end that this could be the future of the United States. There’s a real possibility a Republican wins in 2024 and the entire USA becomes Florida. >

All you guys whining and scared are going to vote, right? Right?! >

I don't think reddit acknowledges how likely it is that DeSantis wins. It's a legit scary outcome. >

Reddit has a bad case of Sorkin Syndrome: it believes that Republicans share the same inherent values as Liberals deep down. That Republicans are misinformed and undereducated people who would become Democrats if they were just given the proper information and education to "fix" their erroneous worldview. And when push comes to shove, when things get dire enough, Republicans will "look past the greed and do what's best for America."
None of that is true. Republicans might share some of the same values that liberals do, but they sure as shit do not weigh those values the same way. 
It's two inherently different worldviews: one side believes in society, the other stockpiles guns for when they get to overthrow that society. >

You totally had me on board until you labled "the other" as people preparing to overthrow society. These are your neighbors, people you see everyday at work, the store, wherever. Just because someone is conservative doesn't make them a fascist domestic terrorist. These are normal people, not monsters that want to watch the world burn >

This sentiment is why America deserves everything it has coming. At least you get to feign moral superiority for refusing to acknowledge literal fascists while the country burns. >

Yes, let's categorize 120 million people on the actions of a few. K >

Supporting and voting for fascists are actions. >

Head on over to r/florida to see it in action.  Mods have stifled all political discussion to make the sub almost entirely sunsets and beaches. >

Then stop traveling there and taking your kids >

We will! Their coastlines are disappearing and once that happens and weather systems make it intolerable, we will. But let’s keep taking our kids there because in a decade it will be under water. I lived there and the writing is on the wall. >

Yea pretty much. Fascist gotta fascist. >

He learned it at gitmo. >

Damn near all the Louisiana Purchase is fascism lite >

Yeah so when can we start being considered refugees?  In dire need of asylum. >

I want to leave Florida so bad, it has gotten so expensive. >

A giant peach tree dish of fascism so to speak >

I hate it here >

Pay attention people, if De Sanyo’s is elected to a presidential platform, the whole country will be a laboratory bowl of fascism, do you realize what this means ? >

This guy is a fascist with a huge ego. He gets away with it in his bubble in Florida with no opposition but it won’t fly in the whole country!!! Or were in big trouble >

Florida:  It's Like 1930's Germany, with Theme Parks! >

If we’re going to compare timelines we’re sitting more around the early 20s I’d say but otherwise yeah >

To be fair they voted for it. Hard >

Because there was a massive population shift during covid. Conservatives moved to Florida because there were no lockdowns or mask mandates, progressives moved away ~~because the state will literally be underwater within decades~~ because of the batshit crazy politics. >

Just because the state is a Petri dish doesn’t make it a lab, it’s more of a fascist meth cook house. >

Won't be long until Florida turns into Missouri, another garbage state overran by hicks that are too busy trying to kill minorities. >

Welcome to the Republic of Gilead >

Desantistan >

Because DeSantis is a fucking chode. >

I think you literally mean unofficially. 
Fuck Florida. Fuck Desantis. Let’s use words correctly. >

The left in America need to stand up. Fight fire with fire >

Fire is what in this instance? >

Actual fire from global warming. >

So not fire we've set ourselves? We have to wait for a forest fire to occur? 
These are some inconvenient limitations we're putting on ourselves here. >

You won't have to wait long. >

I don’t understand how so many people in this country are dumb enough to vote for this shit. Even if your schools suck, like…you have the internet. There is no excuse for being this fucking dumb in this day and age. 
👏Quit. 👏Voting. 👏For. 👏Fucking. 👏Literal. 👏Nazi. 👏Pedophiles. >

Fash the Nation baby >

What laboratory was Kansas again? >

Well no shit. If Ron Desantis wins, it tells you exactly where this country is headed. >

I recall back in 2012 as I discussed the rise of fascism in America with some acquaintances only to be accused of committing a logical fallacy. Now the “F” word is being bandied about and the left does not to counter what is obviously a huge step in the wrong direction for our nation. Granted the cancer of fascism has a legacy that extends all the way back to the colonial past when the idea of an inferior, barbaric race became a novel justification for the Christian West to kill —as well as enslave— in order to steal from, subjugate, and conquer peoples whose sole crime was “standing in the way” of empire and profit. >

48 states are aware of what Florida is.
(YES, THERE ARE 50 STATES.. TEXAS IS JUST.. A BIT SLOW, YA'LL) >

If you had to attempt to explain to someone, calmly, why they shouldn’t like Ron Desantis, how would you? >

To those who say it can’t happen here: yes, it absolutely can and already has. 
Also read It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis >

He abuses the 1st amendment and dick rides the 2nd. 🤷🏼‍♂️ >

I hope Disney fans destroy Ron. >

We have this problem because the GOP thinks it has a captive Supreme Court and lame duck congress. The executive has the power to squash this but it either needs a United Congress or an impartial Supreme Court. The opposition has neither.
The one thing in the way is time. To install a fascist state you need speed and prevent the opposition from implementing their policies. A GOP president could fast-track appeals to the Supreme Court but even fast-tracked appeal takes years.
We are only one heartbeat away from a different Supreme Court. Even the GOP House of Representatives could collapse if business republicans or purple state republicans are forced to choose between principles they never espoused or total debt default. It would take 6 to join with democrats to have a liberal Republican or more likely an independent instead of McCarthy.
Our system is designed for this. We can not give in to apathy but apathy is what has led us so far down this path. >

At this point of American history unfortunately, the virus has to run its course until it leaves the system. Just like most things in the U.S. it's cyclical. Bittersweet pill, but it has to play itself out over the course of the next 4 to 5 decades. Worse still is, that it will never get back to what it was, just a different type of "normalcy" and brief co existence of what remains. >

Disney should shut it’s doors. 
Teachers Union needs to strike. 
The fight is against fascism now. Little Mussolini has decided to be its champion. >

Really trying to move out of Florida for a number of reasons, but the fascism coming from the right is high up on that list. >

Florida is what happens when you build a meth lab inside of a haunted plantation house on an ancient Indian burial ground... >

He is ridiculously drunk on power >

So is every other red state. Florida is just a little more Florida about it. >

I'd call it more of a lavatory of fascism. >

I am not going to start getting my political news from salon of all places. Time to leave this subreddit. >

The State of the Union sub was pretty sensible tonight! But otherwise yeah, this is getting pretty out of hand at this point. This level of just "everyone who disagrees with my cultural views is a fascist." Thankfully, Biden is sticking to just talking about boring stuff like jobs and policy (guns, healthcare, taxes), and just ignoring this crap. >

Teachers are being threatened with felonies if they have a classroom library. Businesses are attacked by the state government if they openly disagree with the states policies. Textbooks are being banned simply for having a phrase such as “turn to your partner”. That is fascism. >

I fuckin hate this state. I wanted to be out before 30. But, here I am. Ugh. >

Who would vote for this Nazi? >

Idk. Nazis probably >

except people from Florida and all over the world use this place to act like the biggest degenerates they can possibly be. Believe me. I’m guilty of it myself. I’m just glad I don’t live there. >

You should wish you lived there, Google any Florida public university’s in state tuition rate. It would appear Florida is also a laboratory for affordable education. >

That's relevant why? >

Florida, with banning specific books, choosing the content of curriculum or banning  certain subjects or aspects of history to be taught (all the way through to college curriculum) will produce citizens undereducated that will not be able to function in the rest of the nation let alone the world because their citizens will have gaps in their knowledge and will always be behind the 'eight ball'. meaning they will not understand the way the rest of their nation thinks or acts. Parents who are not experts in education should not be able to choose curriculum. They do not have the  expertise. They can of course change schools if they do not like what is being taught. >

No it’s not I was there last week. Same as every state. Bunch of regular people. Lots of homeless people. Traffic. The media is ridiculous >

That’s “Racist Business Incubator” … >

The republicans are a communist cult. They are following Russias playbook exactly. I’ve been saying they will come after libel laws next like they did in Russia. Tonight lil Ron DeSantis led a round table where they discussed libel laws and making it easier to sue media companies. Democrats are always short on the take and late to label republicans what they truly are. Facsim  has always been a part of communism but if I’m going to be called a commie for wanting affordable healthcare I’m calling the republican commies for acting like a Soviet communist Russian party. >

Hey uh… I think you should do a little more research cause you’re not really using a lot of those terms in ways that make sense >

Ron De Santis will be elected president in 2024.
I don't want it to happen, hopefully some of you don't want it to happen, but it's going to happen anyway. Forget Godwin's Law: 2024 is going to be for America what 1932 was for Germany. Only this time it will be much, much worse.
Tens of millions will perish at the hands of the state, first the minorities, then the dissenters, then everyone else, as the federal government wages war against neighboring countries, to keep the impoverished masses at home from turning against them.
The history of the United States will be redefined when fascism finally consolidates itself after decades of buildup. Human nature itself will be called to question when the self proclaimed "experiment in democracy" rapidly becomes a brutal dictatorship that would even make contemporary Russia & China blush.
There are people out there who want to hurt you, silence you, impoverish you, and take  your life away from you. They have dominated human history since the dawn of time.
They are winning. >


Tens of millions will perish at the hands of the state, first the minorities, then the dissenters, then everyone else, as the federal government wages war against neighboring countries, to keep the impoverished masses at home from turning against them.
The history of the United States will be redefined when fascism finally consolidates itself after decades of buildup. Human nature itself will be called to question when the self proclaimed "experiment in democracy" rapidly becomes a brutal dictatorship that would even make contemporary Russia & China blush.

lmao GO OUTSIDE MORE >

This sub is something else 🤣 >

This sub doesn't realize that it's Fox News for younger left leaning people >

Yes! This sub has a heavy progressive narrative to it and acts like they're the rational thinking majority in the country. When the reality is they're the online, left-wing version of Fox News. >

MAGA DOJ shrugs. >

Always has been 🔫 >

Yup thought crimes are a thing in DeSantis's Gilead Florida. >

To me it's been disconcerting seeing the thought police from both sides, with constant surveillance via smart phones, cancel culture and public shaming on one side and book bans, curriculum bans and punishing educators for exercising academic freedom on the other. This is not supposed to be how a modern democracy works, but it seems inevitable for the US. >

The entire country is a crucible of racism. >

Yet at the same time the most diverse and least racist country in the world. >


least racist country in the world.

Good joke. >

I see you've never traveled. >

Salon 😂 more garbage for the trough >

The United States as a whole is a “laboratory for fascism” and pretty much always has been >

Huh? >

I mean I know you all watch the news and think it’s wild in Florida but the vast majority of people, all races and political parties live a very normal life and get along with each other. Wild thoughts I know but hey I am sure my real world experiences are somehow wrong to a Canadian or New Yorker with no real experience in Florida. >

Lots of people had a very normal life and got along well in every fascist dictatorship. >

No surprise, considering how much DeSantis and his administration hate free speech. >

This! So much this! If you really think about it, what Desantis is doing is a lot like what Hitler did.
Reminds me of a poem I read
"First, they came for the drag queens, and I did not speak out because I was not a drag queen 
Next, they came for the LGBTPQ2SA+, and I did not speak out because I was not a member of their vibrant community. (I am irl).
Next, they came for the African American studies, and I did not speak out because I was not oppressed.
Then they came for me, and there was no-one left to speak out for me." >

I agree, I’m wearing a full black uniform right now watching Mussolini speeches >

It’s fucking hilarious to see the projected argument of Florida being “fascist.” Since 2020, Florida has been the bastion of freedom within America, while the overwhelming majority of Democrat-led areas have spent years under constant threat over freedom of movement, the right to work, and the right to be free of coercion over which medical choices you do or do not want. So of course, liberal bullshit plays inverted world. “Freedom is fascism.” It’s honestly hilarious at this point to see not only how detached from reality this nonsense is, but that it’s just blatant, deliberate lies. >

Tell me how free women are to get abortions.
Tell me how free companies are to support LGBTQ.
Tell me how free people are to vote.
Tell me how free children are to learn.
Yeah, your kind of freedom is fascism. You want to be free to oppress others. >

Everything is fascism >

No. Just when the government goes full authoritarian to take away the rights of a minority group. >

Florida is an object lesson in how the entire US will be transformed into tinpot dictatorship should either Trump or DeSantis prevail in 2024. >

Member when ya'll were telling ppl they had to get jabbed, stay inside,  wear mask,  just trust us its science/fake news.
Yea, FL the fascist lol. >

I understand that DeSantis takes controversial position on social issues but all that added up does not make him a Fascist because Fascism represents a very particular political philosophy.  There isn’t even any evidence that DeSantis is an authoritarian or does not believe in the democratic process. >

DeSantis  doesn't particularly care to protect people ability to cast a vote, doesn't particularly respect public opinion, actively oppresses majorities and constantly rejects science and by extension, reality.
He has a lot of hallmark Fascist traits. >

Don’t forget retaliates against and get’s involved in private business to advance his agenda. >

Maybe time to call it what it really is - lunacy! >

"If you could go back in time and kill Hitler, would you do it?" >

Florida is a laboratory for Fascism, and a lot more besides. >

Reading the comments of this thread really shows that most people couldn't identify a Nazi. Nazi's had the media as an arm of the state, much like the MSM and the democrats today. This is blatant at this point (H.B. Laptop, classified documents, spy balloons, inflation, etc.)
Nazi's had state sanctioned violence, where their leaders (liked the democrats) refused to protect the rights of citizens who didn't support them allowing property damage and harm to come to them. This was done by the "brown shirts", today we call them Antifa. The autonomous zones and how prosecutors in democrat controlled areas refuse to charge criminals.
Nazis had a conspiracy theory to explain why a certain demographic (the jews) were successful and others were so poor. Democrats call this white supremacy. It's also a way for them to deflect away from their failures. Democrats don't make poor leaders, it's the whites!
Finally, most strikingly of all, Nazi's had a novel salute of raising your right arm in the air. Liberals today get on a knee and raise a fist.
In short, Democrats are really just a furher away from being able to completely descend into fascism. Thank god they don't. >

desantis is a terrible person >

Lmao Floridians tend to disagree, by a margin of \~20%. 
Remember with FL was a swing state? Barely 4 years ago :) >

it doesn't matter what margin disagrees with a fact >

People complaining about Floridians or DeSantis yet don’t want to live the state. Why? Because they know they got more freedom in FLORIDA than in NY, Ca or other democratic cities. But people from democratic cities kept on moving down to FLORIDA because their own cities are trashed now. How ironic? >

I don't know about that.  Teachers in my state don't have to fear felony charges over relatively innocuous content being available to their students.
If that's freedom I want none of it.
Republicans complain of "cancel culture" over social consequences, but in practice they're using government institutions to criminalize speech they merely find objectionable as a felony.  It's absolutely insane. >

Bwahahahajaha! >

You can respectfully disagree with people without calling all of your enemies fascist >

Sure, and that's the case. I've seen plenty of political disagreement without calling people fascist.
However, when there are people exhibiting fascist behaviors, it is entirely appropriate to label them as such. And DeSantis hits MANY of the tenants of fascism. >

Desantis is a somewhat radical conservative at worst. A lot of people assume his policy is further right than it actually is because they just bother to read the title of whatever article is infront of them without looking at the rest of it >

I think you've done the same. Objectively he's pretty out there. He's just not crazy like MGT. He's el educated and systematic.
The damage he's done to Florida is already immense. It will just take time to realize. >

no, it's an editorial from salon. free speech is still legal outside of florida >

Bullshit. Title is ridiculous hyperbole. Good grief. >

Did you read the article? >

Salon really has the headline generator. Wonder if they are using ChatGPT >

Fascism and dictatorship - DeSatan thinks he owns Americans in Florida - fools those who “comply” to DeSatan wishes! >

Bullshit >

I personally think the US should remove Florida we don't need them and they should just go off and be it's own thing, there's too much stupidity there to fix. >

I mean, California is as well…look at their Covid policies. >

Maga >

Fake news, Washington DC is >

My fav tactic, just say I’m rubber, you’re glue. No evidence provided. Just, whatever u say about me is bounced back to you! It’s really classic logic. I learned it somewhere and it just seems to work. >

I hope all the sun birds from Canada relocate to a better state everyone should flock off with this idiot running it >

I totally agree. >

Another fat guy with midget fingers