No Walkout Possible for Florida Dems

I really wonder why this groundswell of Democratic principles and backbone is suddenly surfacing in February as opposed to, say, November. But it does seem to be spreading.

The union protests in Wisconsin, of course, are making international news, as has the walkout of Democratic lawmakers who are preventing a quorum. And now, similar events are happening in Indiana.

But I can't help but be frustrated that this sort of energy couldn't have been produced before the elections where these huge Republican majorities were elected under Republican governors. Imagine if the use of the democratic right to make your voice heard had been taken to the voting booth. Actually, we don't have to imagine. The Tea Party already showed us.

Of course, we saw a huge strengthening of the GOP here in Florida as well. I am sure good, working people interested in protecting the of the little guy are wondering if similar tactics to Wisconsin lawmakers need to be applied here.

Well guess what. They can't.

We have so few Democrats in the state Senate that if everyone of them absconded to the Bahamas, it would just give GOP lawmakers more room to stretch their legs. That's right. We are not just the minority party, but a completely insignificant one.

So enjoy the theatrics and the legislative hardball. But remember it would have been completely unnecessary if Democrats had performed batter nationally. And this spring, enjoy your own protests in Tallahassee. Holding a placard in the capital is about the only way your voice will be heard. But until we learn how to direct the energy toward actually elected Democrats in this state, it will be nothing more than a photo op.