In light of the actions taken by DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and their predecessors, what does the future hold for the Sunshine State? Here’s a reasonable guess:
- As climate change gets worse, and property insurance becomes unaffordable for all except the very wealthy, working people will be forced to leave the state. Coastal areas will be dominated by hideously expensive elevated concrete caverns. The character of cozy coastal downtowns will be changed forever. Even residents of less affluent interior areas will be forced to leave.
- The DeSantis war on wokeness is, in reality, largely a war on young people. They will leave, too.
- Finally, the immigrants who perform most of the difficult physical labor will feel unwelcome, and will depart, as a result of the 2023 immigration legislation.
What you are left with is a state dominated culturally and politically by a relative handful of old, wealthy people, who will complain incessantly that nobody is around to cut their grass and fix their homes. Even they will flee Florida during the summer, as the heat and the hurricanes will make life unbearable after the end of March. But hey, look on the bright side! At least they will be free.