A Jewish Democrat in Ron DeSantis’ Florida
Dr. Fredric K Weiss DDS
Fredric Weiss, DDS is a retired dentist educated at Penn State University and Temple University School of Dentistry and a 4 th generation Philadelphian. He spent 20 years in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Major. He has been an active member of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for over 50 years and served as the Pennsylvania Wing Commander and as National Finance Chair. He remains a member of a Masonic Lodge that both his father and grandfather belonged to. Prior to relocating to Tampa, he was elected Supervisor for Lower Makefield Township in suburban Philadelphia. Service has been in his blood, as he watched his great grandparents establish The Romanian Hebrew Beneficial Society in Philadelphia to help Romanian refugees succeed in American at the beginning of the last century.
Being a member of the Jewish Democratic Caucus in Hillsborough County allows me to feel a sense of warmth and camaraderie with other like-minded, caring individuals. In today’s fractured political landscape, this is now more important than ever. It feels like home and family when I am amongst my fellow Democrats.
My wife and I moved to Florida five years ago from the (sort of) blue state of Pennsylvania. I took it for granted that finding a community with my belief system would be relatively easy. After all, who doesn’t believe in quality education, universal healthcare, a clean environment, a robust immigration policy and a deep respect for each other, no matter what our beliefs are? I still believe) that these ideals are the right (pardon the pun) way for our state and country to move forward and maintain our democracy. Unfortunately, it seems there are more Floridians (and Americans) that do not share my view.
Let’s look at what’s happening here…
Medicaid is being decimated. Healthcare professionals are in short supply. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Insurance and housing costs are ridiculous. Food inflation is rising daily (How about those egg prices?) Mortality rates are rising. Diseases we thought were eradicated are now making a comeback. Storm water management is nonexistent. And yet, the Republican majority is gleeful.
You name it….it’s getting worse, and the hardest hit are ordinary working Americans and the poor. And their voices are drowned out by the uber wealthy who now own our media, and it appears, the White House and the Supreme Court.
None of this is news to anyone.
Has our country been here before? We have! And over the last century which party has consistently fixed it all? The Democrats! Which party is trying to take this truth to the public? Look in the mirror, fellow Dems! It is because of US that we can continue to fight for a better life for all. “No one left behind” should be shouted from the rooftops. Living wages, strong unions, and a fair tax system should be our rallying cry, consistently and loudly. Voters respond to issues they understand and feel. We cannot help those marginalized communities if we don’t get Democrats elected. So, let’s focus our message! People of all stripes are scared. They don’t know who to listen to. They feel left out and unengaged. Let’s make it our mission to grow the Democratic Party, especially amongst Jews! As Jews, we believe in “repairing the world”. As Democrats, we take that to mean to ensure every person living in this country has a chance to succeed. We assist those in need to give them a helping hand so that they, too can succeed and live “the American dream”. We help to create opportunities to “make it”. We believe in taxing ourselves fairly and ensuring all working Americans can earn a living wage. WE understand it is cheaper to have a well-educated citizen who is productive than to spend our resources to build more prisons. We must continue to advocate for a healthy population instead of letting single payor healthcare option. Would it be perfect? No, but it would be less expensive and less painful than denying basic healthcare like “the other side” wants.
I see what our President, Governor, and US Senators have done to Florida. I see what a Republican dominated Legislature has done for our state, and I see what a Republican majority Board of County Commissioners is willing to do to us here in Hillsborough County. Their decisions impact everyone. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but ultimately everyone will be impacted by the draconian measures taken by the Republican warlords.
We do have a better way! Let’s speak out and be proud. We must stay together and know in our hearts and minds; it does take a village to ensure all of us have a place in this great land of ours.
Fred Weiss