The Courage to Be Free

Introduction

In recent years, Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has become a prominent figure in American politics. His approach to governing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has drawn both praise and criticism. While many states implemented strict lockdowns, Florida remained largely open, with schools continuing in-person classes and businesses operating as usual. This bold stance raised questions: Was it reckless or a common-sense strategy?

"The Courage to Be Free" offers insight into DeSantis's perspective and governing philosophy. It provides a window into his vision for Florida and, by extension, America. As a potential future presidential candidate, understanding DeSantis's ideas and approach to leadership is crucial for anyone interested in the direction of American politics.

The Rise to Power

Ron DeSantis's journey to becoming Florida's governor began with his election in November 2018. The morning after his victory, the reality of his new role began to sink in as he went for his usual jog, now accompanied by a security detail. This marked a significant shift from his previous position as a congressman, where he was one of many in a legislative body. As governor, he now bore the responsibility of leading a state with 20 million residents.

DeSantis's path to the governorship wasn't easy. He started as a relative unknown, building his political career through grassroots efforts like door-to-door campaigning. His hard work paid off, earning him a seat in Congress and eventually the governor's mansion. Along the way, he gained the support of then-President Donald Trump, who described him as a "brilliant young leader" and a "true fighter."

With his new position came the opportunity to implement real change. DeSantis had a clear agenda that included healthcare reforms, addressing illegal immigration, and prioritizing law and order. He recognized that he had limited time – potentially two four-year terms – to accomplish his goals, which drove him to adopt an aggressive leadership style.

Governing Philosophy: Offense as the Best Defense

DeSantis's approach to governance can be summed up in the phrase, "The best defense is a good offense." He believes in taking proactive, often aggressive stances on key issues rather than reacting to events as they unfold. This philosophy has led him to confront what he sees as threats to traditional American values head-on.

One of DeSantis's primary targets has been what he refers to as "woke indoctrination." He views concepts like Critical Race Theory as left-wing propaganda that shouldn't be taught in schools. To combat this, he signed legislation like the "Stop Wrongs against Our Kids and Employees Act" (also known as the "Stop WOKE Act"). This law aims to prevent the teaching of ideas that DeSantis believes divide people based on race or portray America as fundamentally racist.

DeSantis's confrontational style has made him a controversial figure. While he's often criticized by left-leaning media and politicians, he remains popular among many Floridians. His supporters see him as a champion of freedom and common sense in a world increasingly dominated by progressive ideologies.

The COVID-19 Response: A Stand for Freedom

DeSantis's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps the most well-known and controversial aspect of his governorship. As the virus spread across the United States in spring 2020, many states implemented strict lockdowns and closures. Florida, under DeSantis's leadership, took a different approach.

Initially, Florida followed the federal government's "15 Days to Stop the Spread" guidelines. However, as other states extended their lockdowns, DeSantis became skeptical of the long-term strategy. He questioned the wisdom of basing policy decisions on epidemiological models rather than empirical data, especially when those models often predicted worst-case scenarios that seemed unlikely to materialize.

Influenced by the Great Barrington Declaration, a document authored by prominent epidemiologists advocating for a more targeted approach to pandemic management, DeSantis decided to chart a different course for Florida. The declaration recommended focusing protection efforts on the elderly and vulnerable while allowing the rest of the population to resume normal life. This aligned with DeSantis's belief in individual freedom and responsibility.

As a result, Florida quickly moved to reopen businesses, schools, and public spaces like beaches. DeSantis rejected the distinction between "essential" and "nonessential" businesses, arguing that every job was essential to the person who held it. He also prioritized keeping schools open, believing that the benefits of in-person education outweighed the risks for most children.

This approach drew intense criticism from many quarters. Florida was accused of being reckless and endangering its citizens, particularly its large elderly population. However, DeSantis stood firm, believing that his policies struck the right balance between public health and individual freedom.

In retrospect, DeSantis points to several indicators that he believes vindicate his approach:

1. Florida's COVID-19 mortality rate, when adjusted for age, was lower than that of more than 30 other states.
2. A study by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, which examined state responses to COVID-19 considering factors like mortality, education, and economic impact, ranked Florida as the best-performing large state in the nation.
3. Tourism in Florida began to rebound by the end of summer 2020, earlier than in many other states.
4. Florida saw an influx of new residents during and after the pandemic, with many citing the state's approach to COVID-19 as a factor in their decision to move.

DeSantis views Florida's pandemic response as a success story, not just in terms of public health outcomes but also in preserving individual freedoms and economic prosperity. He believes that in a time of widespread fear and restrictive policies, Florida became a symbol of freedom and common sense governance.

The Battle Against "Leftism"

DeSantis's concerns about what he calls "leftist ideology" date back to his college days at Yale in the late 1990s. He was troubled by what he perceived as widespread criticism of America and mockery of religious faith on campus. These experiences pushed him further to the right politically and shaped his future approach to governance.

As governor, DeSantis has made combating what he sees as the spread of leftist ideology a key priority. One of the most high-profile examples of this is his stance on education, particularly regarding issues of gender and sexuality.

In 2022, Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Bill, which critics dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. This legislation prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation for young children, typically through third grade. DeSantis viewed this as a common-sense measure to protect children from inappropriate content and to respect parents' rights to control their children's education on sensitive topics.

The bill sparked a major controversy, with opposition coming from unexpected quarters – most notably, the Walt Disney Company. This conflict between DeSantis and Disney became a defining moment in his governorship and a microcosm of larger cultural battles in America.

The Disney Confrontation

The dispute between DeSantis and Disney began when Disney employees, primarily in California, demanded that the company oppose Florida's Parental Rights in Education Bill. As pressure mounted from activists and media outlets, Disney's then-CEO Bob Chapek eventually caved and publicly opposed the bill.

This move infuriated DeSantis, who saw it as a corporation using its economic power to push a political agenda that went against the will of Florida's voters and elected representatives. In response, DeSantis took aim at Disney's special privileges in Florida.

For over 50 years, Disney had enjoyed a unique self-governing status in Florida, effectively operating its own local government with significant legal and tax benefits. DeSantis, viewing this as an unfair advantage and a potential tool for political leverage, signed legislation to revoke Disney's special status.

This bold move sent a clear message: corporations that wade into political battles should be prepared for consequences. DeSantis framed this as a stand against corporate overreach and a defense of democratic principles, arguing that a company shouldn't be able to override the will of the people and their elected representatives.

The Disney incident exemplifies DeSantis's governing style – confrontational, unapologetic, and willing to use state power to challenge what he sees as threats to traditional values and democratic governance.

Addressing Other Challenges

DeSantis sees the Disney controversy as just one example of the challenges facing America today. He's equally concerned about other issues, such as:

1. Calls to "defund the police" in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, which DeSantis views as dangerous and misguided.
2. Big Tech censorship, where companies like Facebook and Twitter label or remove content that goes against what DeSantis sees as a leftist narrative.
3. Immigration policy, where he advocates for stricter border control and enforcement of immigration laws.
4. Environmental policy, balancing conservation with economic development.

In each of these areas, DeSantis has taken strong stances, often implementing policies that put Florida at odds with federal directives or prevailing progressive attitudes. He sees this as necessary to protect Florida's interests and to uphold what he considers core American values.

The Florida Model

DeSantis believes that his approach to governance has turned Florida into a model for other states to follow. He points to several indicators of success:

1. Economic resilience: Florida's economy rebounded quickly after the initial shock of the pandemic, with tourism recovering faster than in many other states.
2. Population growth: Florida has seen a significant influx of new residents, particularly from states with stricter COVID-19 policies or higher taxes.
3. Public safety: DeSantis has prioritized law enforcement, resisting calls to defund the police and instead increasing recruitment efforts.
4. Education: Despite keeping schools open during the pandemic, Florida maintained comparable or better educational outcomes than states that implemented long-term remote learning.

DeSantis argues that these successes are a direct result of his policies and leadership style. He believes that by prioritizing individual freedom, economic opportunity, and traditional values, Florida has created an environment that attracts people and businesses from across the country.

Electoral Success and Future Prospects

The popularity of DeSantis's approach is reflected in his electoral success. In 2018, he won the governorship by a narrow margin of about 30,000 votes. However, in his 2022 re-election bid, he won by a landslide, securing victory by more than 1.5 million votes.

Notably, DeSantis performed well across various demographic groups. He won nearly 60% of the Hispanic vote and made significant inroads with Black voters, achieving the highest percentage for a Republican gubernatorial candidate in Florida's modern history.

This broad-based support suggests that DeSantis's message and governing style resonate with a wide swath of the electorate, not just traditional Republican voters. It's this crossover appeal that has many speculating about his potential as a national candidate.

The Vision for America

DeSantis's success in Florida has led to the popularization of the slogan "Make America Florida." This encapsulates his belief that the policies and approach he's implemented in Florida could serve as a blueprint for the nation as a whole.

Key elements of this vision include:

1. Limited government intervention in the economy and personal lives
2. Strong support for law enforcement and tough-on-crime policies
3. Resistance to what he sees as progressive overreach in education and corporate America
4. A focus on individual liberty and personal responsibility
5. Aggressive confrontation of perceived threats to traditional American values

DeSantis argues that this approach can lead to economic prosperity, safer communities, and a preservation of the freedoms that he believes are central to the American experience.

Criticisms and Controversies

It's important to note that DeSantis's approach has not been without controversy. Critics argue that his policies:

1. Endanger public health by downplaying the risks of COVID-19
2. Marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly through education policies
3. Suppress free speech through actions against companies like Disney
4. Exacerbate racial tensions by dismissing concerns about systemic racism

DeSantis and his supporters counter these criticisms by pointing to Florida's overall success and arguing that his policies protect individual freedoms and parental rights. They contend that the media often misrepresents his positions and that the results speak for themselves.

Conclusion: The Courage to Be Free

The title of DeSantis's book, "The Courage to Be Free," encapsulates his governing philosophy. He believes that maintaining freedom requires courage – the willingness to stand up against prevailing narratives, powerful interests, and the temptation to trade liberty for security.

DeSantis sees himself as a leader willing to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions in defense of individual liberty and traditional American values. Whether it's keeping Florida open during a pandemic, challenging a powerful corporation like Disney, or pushing back against what he sees as progressive overreach in education, DeSantis has shown a willingness to court controversy in pursuit of his vision.

His approach has clearly resonated with many Floridians, as evidenced by his landslide re-election. However, the question remains whether this "Florida model" can be successfully applied to the nation as a whole. DeSantis and his supporters believe it can, arguing that the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and traditional values that have found success in Florida are universally appealing.

Critics, on the other hand, contend that DeSantis's approach is divisive and potentially harmful to vulnerable populations. They argue that his confrontational style and dismissal of progressive concerns could exacerbate existing social and political divisions if applied on a national scale.

Regardless of one's personal views on DeSantis and his policies, it's clear that he represents a significant force in American politics. His tenure as Florida's governor has been marked by bold decisions and a willingness to challenge the status quo. As he potentially eyes higher office, understanding his vision and approach to governance is crucial for anyone interested in the future direction of American politics.

"The Courage to Be Free" offers a window into the mind of a political leader who has become one of the most prominent and controversial figures in contemporary American politics. Whether one views him as a defender of freedom or a divisive figure, Ron DeSantis's impact on the political landscape is undeniable. As America grapples with challenges ranging from pandemic recovery to cultural conflicts, the ideas and approach outlined in this book are likely to play a significant role in shaping the national conversation in the years to come.