A "witch's brew" of GOP-sponsored political activity in Texas, Florida, Tennessee and other states across the nation tops the discussion in the April edition of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left podcast, now streaming.
Arthur Hill, first vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC Democratic Party and Robert Thompson, host of the Got Damn Liberal podcast based in Atlanta, GA, join Lean to the Left host Bob Gatty to discuss these key developments and more.
In their crosshairs are efforts by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to restrict abortions, what books can be read and topics that can be taught in the state's school, new legislation infringing on the rights of LGBTQ+ and transgender individuals, Donald Trump's legal problems, and the defection of a Democratic state lawmaker to the Republican Party in North Carolina, among others.
In one section, Thompson points out that because of GOP efforts to restrict abortions that vasectomies are on dramatically increasing as many men are concerned about the consequences of impregnating someone and then having to live with the consequences.
The conversation also turns to unbridled development in Florida, North Carolina and other states that's in response to large numbers of people, especially retirees, who are seeking low taxes and warmer weather. However, in Florida, Thompson notes, property and casualty insurance rates are skyrocketing even as the state has enacted tort reform that makes it more difficult for plaintiffs to win settlements in court
Trump's legal challenges and his pledge to run for the presidency even if convicted of a crime are also covered, along with his challenge by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and former SC Gov. and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Thompson observes that country icon Dolly Parton "wants to see more boobs in the White House."
Gatty pointed out that Dr. Pamela Gurley, in a new blog for Lean to the Left, discusses DeSantis-initiated legislation that would make it a crime to record videos of police officers as they arrest individuals. If passed, that legislation would impose a five year prison sentence on those who record such videos, a clear First Amendment free speech violation. That blog and a podcast interview with Dr. Gurley will post and stream on April 26.
Listen to the podcast:
View the podcast: https://youtu.be/XkuzgAvwuMY