March 11, 2026
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Deep Something

The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters

Politics

This category is a main category for post dealing with political issues and politicians at any level of government.

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Methodism Featured Places Tampa Politics Presidency Religion Society Gay Issues 

No Kings Day: A Stand Against Power and Injustice

B. John 1025 Views 0 Comments , , , , , ,

This Saturday, people will rise across 2,000 U.S. cities, including Tampa, united in one unflinching message: “No Kings.” This is not a protest born of idle dissent. It is a fierce rebuke of President Donald Trump and a social order built on abuse of power. Flag Day plus Trump’s 79th birthday equals a military parade costing taxpayers $25–45?million. The implicit message? A cult of personality masquerading as patriotism. For United Methodists grounded in Wesleyan conviction, this is intolerable. John and Charles Wesley stood against social evil, not in quiet tones but with prophetic boldness, calling out power when it crushes the least among us. That same courage calls us now to confront policies that tear at the fabric of our communities.

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Deep Thoughts Featured Politics Society Crack Pots Stoicism Culture 

Now That You Know: A Stoic Response to Injustice During Pride Month

B. John 1094 Views 0 Comments , , ,
This entry is part 6 of 61 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

“You may choose to look away, but you can never again say you did not know.” —William Wilberforce There are moments in life when we are confronted with a clear, morally unambiguous truth that strips away all our comfortable illusions. Wilberforce’s words aren’t just a condemnation of apathy but an indictment of complicity. Once you’ve seen injustice, silence is no longer neutral. It’s a choice. Ancient Stoics would have understood this. For all their restraint and talk of inner calm, the Stoics were not spectators. They believed in moral clarity and civic virtue. To live a good life was not to retreat from the world but to meet it head-on—with courage, justice, and integrity.

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Legislature Presidency Society Gay Issues Featured Politics 

How Trump-Era Policies and State Legislation Are Harming LGBTQ+ Americans

B. John 1064 Views 0 Comments , , , , , ,

A recent Pew Research Center report (Feb. 2025) found that a staggering 81% of LGBTQ adults expect Trump’s policies to harm gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Among transgender respondents, 88% expect negative effects. These fears are grounded in experience: during his first term, Trump rolled back protections for trans students, banned transgender people from military service, and allowed discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. In his second term, the pace and intensity have only increased.

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Featured Politics Legislature 

Cruelty as Governance: Ron DeSantis and Florida’s Agenda of Injustice

B. John 2021 Views 2 Comments , , ,

John Rawls once wrote, “A bad man desires arbitrary power, but an evil man delights in injustice.” This distinction resonates deeply when examining the actions of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republican-dominated legislature over the past six years. Their political maneuvers reveal a pattern not merely of consolidating power but of inflicting harm and exploiting the vulnerable—actions that seem to derive satisfaction from the suffering of others. This is not governance; it is cruelty institutionalized.

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Culture Featured Politics Election 

Mourn The Time But Stand With Resolve

B. John 1092 Views 0 Comments ,

To foster hope, we must remember the countless individuals working tirelessly for justice, unity, and compassion. These voices may seem drowned out by anger and division, but they are there—teaching our children better ways, forging connections across divides, and laying the groundwork for the future we long for. Change starts small, often unnoticed, but it accumulates and eventually becomes unstoppable.

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Society Gay Issues Hate Groups Racism Featured Politics Congress Election Religion 

The Call to Justice is Urgent

B. John 1110 Views 0 Comments , , ,

Progressives stand at a critical juncture where the call for justice is louder and more urgent than ever. My faith compels me to see the injustices that surround us and act against them with conviction, guided by Christ’s example of righteous defiance in the face of oppression. While persistence is essential, there are moments when persistence alone is not enough; sometimes, our witness demands a more forceful resistance, a willingness to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and cause harm actively.

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Election Presidency Economy Featured Politics 

Election 2024 – Hope for Better is All I’ve Got

B. John 1144 Views 1 Comment , , , ,

One of the most frustrating aspects of this election has been watching Republicans continuously out-message Democrats. The GOP has mastered the art of stirring up fear and resentment, delivering simple but powerful narratives that resonate deeply. Instead of speaking to unity and progress, they speak directly to anxieties and frustrations, offering voters someone to blame for every challenge and setback.

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Photo of Cathy Castor and Rocky Rochford.
Politics Congress Election Featured 

Castor-Rochford U.S. House District 14

B. John 1321 Views 0 Comments , , , ,

Deep recommends Cathy Castor for U.S. House District 14. Rocky Rochford’s campaign warns against socialism, but many of his policies ironically lead to the kind of oligarchic control that limits freedom for most Americans while benefiting the wealthy. Democratic policies, led by Cathy Castor, seek to build a fair society where people have access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity without being subjected to corporate overreach or authoritarian control. Rather than pushing toward socialism, these policies aim to protect the middle class and uphold democratic values against the real threats of corporate dominance and rising inequality.

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Featured Politics Legislature 

Who Supported the Roll Back of Child Labor Laws in Florida?

B. John 479 Views 0 Comments , , , ,
This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series 2022-2024 FL Legislative Actions

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) Played a key roll in the roll back of child labor laws in Florida. They are a conservative think tank based in the United States that focuses on welfare reform, healthcare, and workforce policies along with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. And yes, they are aligned and have received favorable treatment from the DeSantis Administration in regards to disaster relief.

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Featured Politics Legislature 

The Concealed Hand: Why Donors to Conservative Causes Like the Foundation for Government Accountability Prefer Anonymity

B. John 432 Views 0 Comments , , ,
This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series 2022-2024 FL Legislative Actions

In the world of political donations and nonprofit funding, transparency often takes a backseat to privacy, particularly among those who fund conservative organizations like the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). While public records show that millions of dollars flow into these groups from donor-advised funds (DAFs) and other anonymous sources, the lack of transparency raises a crucial question: Why do contributors choose to remain in the shadows rather than proudly stand by the work they fund?

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