Dear reader,

Here in Florida we live in a time of crippling inflation and increased homelessness, Where the cost of living is skyrocketing and many American households are struggling to survive.  As our good editor in chief at the Florida Squeeze wrote the other day, the state Democratic party has an identity issue. It is no longer appealing or attempting to appeal to ordinary working class citizens. It is no longer fighting pocketbook issues, lacks class awareness, and has no connection to average Americans. So it’s nice to know that one County Commissioner in Leon County is trying to do something about that. Is taking a stand, fighting for the voiceless, and coming up with solutions. No I’m kidding, he is siding with developers and appealing to people’s worst instincts by attacking the homeless of Tallahassee.

Recently large Blue signs are going up across Tallahassee that read in white lettering “For your safety and theirs, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE TO PERSONS IN THE ROADWAY!” Contribute to solutions – Big Bend COC org.  The message of the sign being that a stupid bland slogan will feed the needy, who in turn should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, and you should donate to the powerful local organization Big Bend Cares instead. 

These signs were suggested to Commissioner Brian Welch (who is running for re-election) by a constituent which he then brought to the County Administrator, making these a reality.

“Leon County putting up “don’t feed the animals” signs about homeless people,” says one citizen on the popular facebook group Living Tallahassee in which a picture of one of these new signs was shared and received positive remarks from several big hearted Tallahassee based Karens. Who raised the level of public debate on poverty with such gems as “Panhandling is dangerous!” or “feeding a drug addicted beggar will make you feel good, but it’s actually cruel towards them!”  Wow, why didn’t I think of that? Why try to be empathetic to your fellow man and help them in any way you can, when you can just not give a s**t! You’ve taught me so much Karen! Sorry we kicked you out of so many planes for your MAGA rants!

Why are they spending my tax money to lecture me about giving a couple bucks to the guy on the corner? I’m sorry, is there a sudden surge in homeless people attacking their fellow citizens who act with charity and empathy towards them that I’ve missed?

Homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity are stains on our collective humanity and our national honor.Government funded acts like this that further segregate people who are already voiceless in a wildly destructive society, that discourage acts of compassion, are only escalating the problem.

Let’s all be very clear about this, this is disgusting, it is cruel, it is a moral violation of all that community and government should represent. I want to know who authorized this, I want to shame them, I want them removed from their position of responsibility over the community where I am raising my children.