Letter: DeSantis works to block independent thinking

Gov. Ron DeSantis is a genuine danger to the American way of life, because his answer to swaying people to a more conservative way of thinking is not through debate, but by passing laws promising prison-time punishment for those convicted of daring to think differently.

He has, through a supermajority in the Florida legislature already done this. And, on top of this, he has declared open season on educators. His idea is that a teacher seeks to present materials and encourage critical thinking in students to analyze the facts and draw their own conclusions is defective because they frequently decide against the conservative view.

So, it is now illegal in Florida to think independently or teach others to do the same. Further, the governor has been enabled to sign laws which require the teaching history, civics and humanities as directed by state policy. and encourage the banning of books and other materials on the basis of a complaint by one parent.

All they need do is cite one buzz word or phrase planted by the governor. Essentially, he has made public school, college and university educators the enemy of the state.

John Mueller

Lisle