Despite opposition from Democrats, the Republican-controlled Florida House on Tuesday adopted a resolution denouncing democratic socialism.
The measure (HR 145) describes democratic socialism as “a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates the ownership or regulation of production, distribution, and exchange by the community as a whole.”
The resolution said “democratic socialism is denounced in favor of the true American values of individual liberty, private property, and constitutional democracy.”
Bill sponsor Tom Fabricio, R-Miramar, said the measure is “a resolution for the Florida House to speak for our values and for our economic system.”
But Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, objected that the resolution did not condemn the infiltration of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump in January.
“I’m curious why, when you talk about tyranny, we’re not including any of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, because that was a very tyrannical act committed by Americans,” Eskamani said. Eskamani also asked why issues like slavery are not condemned in the resolution.
Fabricio responded that the resolution is limited in scope to the “issues of democratic socialism.”
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, argued that the House should condemn ideologies such as white supremacy.
Fabricio said the resolution takes an “economic position” against democratic socialism, arguing that the political ideology “is a slippery slope that does lead to socialism in many nations.”
House members voted 79-36 to approve the resolution, with Rep. Nicholas Duran, D-Miami, crossing party lines to vote for it.
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter.
