Castor-Rochford U.S. House District 14

The U.S. House of Representatives District 14 race in Florida presents a stark contrast between Republican challenger Rocky Rochford and Democratic incumbent Cathy Castor. Rochford’s campaign flyer, headlined “Help me fight against Socialism,” lays out his perception of Democratic policies as part of a creeping socialist agenda. He cites fears such as control of healthcare, increasing poverty, national debt, gun control, welfare, educational indoctrination, and removing religion from public life. His list is framed as an indictment of Democratic priorities, alleging they aim to create a socialist state.

As a progressive who opposes socialism but is deeply concerned about the increasing extremism on the right, it’s essential to examine how Rochford’s Republican policies might ironically lead to the very authoritarian structures he claims to oppose. Many Republican policies fit within frameworks that resemble oligarchy or fascist control, while Democratic policies, led by Rep. Cathy Castor, aim to protect working Americans and ensure liberty and equality.There can also be little doubt who Deep Something and this editor endorse for Florida House District 14: Cathy Castor. Our reasons are set forth below, using Rochford’s campaign flyer as our “jumping-off point.”

Control of Healthcare: Who Really Wants to Control People?

Rochford claims that control of healthcare equates to controlling people, a common conservative argument. Republicans decry “government control” over healthcare as a step toward socialism. However, their alternative is privatization, which places control of healthcare in the hands of large insurance companies—corporate entities driven by profit rather than people’s health.

Democrats like Cathy Castor, through policies such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanded healthcare access, ensuring millions of Americans could get coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Republicans have continually pushed to repeal the ACA without offering viable alternatives, favoring market-based approaches that benefit corporations over ordinary people.

If Rochford’s policies prevail, many working-class families may lose access to affordable healthcare, ceding control of their lives to profit-driven corporations. This isn’t liberty—it’s oligarchy.

Increasing Poverty: Addressing Economic Disparities

Rochford claims that increasing poverty is a socialist tactic to make people dependent on the government. Yet, the policies of his own party exacerbate wealth inequality. Republicans are known for supporting tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations based on the idea of “trickle-down economics.” However, the results have consistently shown that wealth accumulates at the top, leaving working-class Americans with stagnating wages.

Democratic policies aim to raise the minimum wage, expand healthcare, and invest in infrastructure to create jobs. Cathy Castor supports initiatives like expanding the Child Tax Credit, which helps lift families out of poverty. These are not about creating dependence—they are about leveling the playing field so everyone can succeed.

In contrast, Rochford’s policies would likely increase poverty by cutting social programs and letting the market determine who thrives. Republicans often talk about reducing government intervention, but unregulated systems benefit only the rich and powerful, leaving little room for upward mobility. This isn’t socialism; it’s more akin to plutocracy.

National Debt: A Convenient Republican Talking Point

Rochford claims that increasing the national debt is a key element of a socialist strategy. However, Republican-led administrations have consistently ballooned the national debt through tax cuts for the wealthy and increased military spending.

Democrats like Cathy Castor push for investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare to create jobs and boost wages. Yes, these investments can increase the deficit in the short term, but they are intended to pay off in the long run through economic growth.

By contrast, Republican tax cuts for the wealthy have massively increased the national debt without benefitting ordinary Americans. The GOP’s tax policies under Donald Trump are a prime example of this. Republicans conveniently forget this fact when pointing fingers at Democrats.

Gun Control: Defending Democracy or Encouraging Violence?

Rochford argues that gun control is part of the path to socialism because it prevents people from defending themselves. However, democratic societies don’t need an armed populace to maintain freedom. Countries with stricter gun control laws, like the United Kingdom and Australia, enjoy higher levels of safety and personal liberty.

Democrats are not trying to take away all guns. They are proposing common-sense regulations, like universal background checks and restrictions on assault weapons, to curb gun violence while respecting responsible gun ownership. Cathy Castor supports these sensible measures as a balanced approach to ensuring public safety.

Republicans like Rochford, however, often encourage gun policies that contribute to a culture of violence. In a society where guns are readily available without proper regulations, marginalized communities face increased danger. Authoritarian regimes throughout history have relied on militias and paramilitary groups to enforce control—not disarmament. The Republican narrative that gun control leads to tyranny is a false dichotomy.

Welfare: Empowering People or Creating Dependence?

Rochford’s flyer claims that welfare programs are a form of control designed to keep people dependent on the government. This misunderstands the role of social safety nets. Welfare programs like SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and unemployment insurance provide temporary assistance to help families get back on their feet.

Cathy Castor and Democrats recognize that social safety nets are about ensuring people don’t fall into abject poverty when they lose a job, get sick, or face another setback. Expanding these programs, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensures millions of Americans have a safety net.

Republicans like Rochford, however, often advocate for cutting these programs under the guise of promoting “independence.” In reality, stripping away these protections widens the gap between the rich and the poor, forcing vulnerable Americans into deeper poverty. This isn’t socialism—it’s about ensuring everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of where they start.

Education: Who’s Really Indoctrinating Whom?

One of the most telling claims in Rochford’s flyer is that Democrats aim to control and indoctrinate children through education. This is a well-worn conservative talking point used to justify cuts to public education or promote private school vouchers. Just take a look at the Republican’s “Don’t Say Gay” laws or their Book Bans allowing a single parent to make decisions about access for all children. Let’s look at their rewriting of and elimination of black history. Tell me again, who is engaged in “indoctrination?”

Democrats like Cathy Castor support public education because it is essential to a healthy democracy. A robust public education system ensures every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education. This is not indoctrination—it’s empowerment.

Republicans, meanwhile, push for privatization, promoting charter schools and vouchers that siphon money from public schools. This harms the most disadvantaged students and exacerbates inequality. If anyone is trying to reshape education for control, it’s the conservatives who prioritize corporate interests over the public good.

Removing God from Government and Schools: A False Threat

Rochford claims Democrats are removing God from government and schools?. What he ignores is that the U.S. Constitution guarantees the separation of church and state, ensuring government neutrality on religious matters so that all people—of any faith or none—can coexist.

Cathy Castor and the Democrats aren’t trying to remove God from people’s lives. Instead, they advocate for a pluralistic society where everyone’s religious beliefs are respected. This doesn’t mean banning religion—it means ensuring no single religion dominates public policy. Forcing a specific religious ideology on the country, as some Republicans suggest, leans toward authoritarianism, not democracy.

Conclusion

Rochford and Republicans like him may rally against socialism. Still, their policies pave the way for something far more dangerous: an oligarchy where only the rich thrive, and the rest fend for themselves. Democrats, meanwhile, strive to create a balanced system where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background, and where democratic principles are upheld for the benefit of all.

That is why we recommend that the incumbent, Cathy Castor, be returned to Washington.