For years, generations – actually, if you asked a Republican what attracted them to the conservative party, they would tell you that the more local the government, the better. Localities agreed on things and knew what they needed. Things like global warming, the economy, civil rights, and an epidemic clearly require a strong national government to do things the states can’t or won’t. But the original conservative-Republican position had some merit.

But right now, and particularly with respect to Florida, the “local government is better” thing is not even a consideration, not when the governor is a MAGA. MAGA is not conservative, not even close. It is tyranny and we’re seeing it play out in Florida. Ron-Don-Santis is playing “Don” Trump again and made a blanket state rule that no school district could require masks, even if in the local people’s best judgment they were needed. DeSantis isn’t having it and banned it altogether.

Today Peter Alexander of NBC News asked Psaki a very legitimate question about the federal government’s response to DeSantis and the entire Florida situation, Mediaite provides the outline;

….“We are continuing to look for ways for the U.S. government to support district and schools as they try to follow the science, do the right thing, and save lives,” and referenced federal funds from the American Rescue Plan that have not yet been distributed in Florida.

Yes, always a good idea. Remind them of where most of their money comes from. True, states are responsible for their education system, but they still get a ton of federal money. Just let them know that if they’re breaking up, they’ll probably stop that arrangement.

Alexander asked about DeSantis, specifically:

“So in simple terms, what do you say directly to Governor DeSantis about this threatened punishment?”

Psaki’s answer was structured like Biden’s, but Jen is a mom, too, and one could hear a bit of “mom” coming through in her anger about DeSantis putting his MAGA bona fides ahead of children. (just in case something happens in 20204 amirite?) Here is mom talking to DeSantis:

If you are not interested in following the public health guidelines to protect the lives of people in your state, to give parents some comfort as they are sending their kids to school, schools are opening this week, I know, in many parts of Florida, then get out of the way and let public officials, let local officials do their job to keep students safe.

This is serious. And we are talking about people’s lives, and we know based on public health guidelines that even though kids under a certain age are not yet eligible, masks can have a huge impact.

Will that impact or register with DeSantis? Will he care that the White House isn’t impressed with him? Hell, no. DeSantis is too stupid to care about the act of breathing; “What’s the big deal! I do it without even thinking about it!” (At that point someone should ask if he’s talking about breathing or being governor.)

It might hit some of DeSantis’s staff, particularly the budget people. It might hit some of the people in the education departments who might feel like they finally have a way to at least twist some elbows. And it might hit some local counties that want to do the right thing by giving them more resources for guidelines.

Mama Jen is just as badass as Jen as Trig Teacher to Doocy, who is just not able to follow the material and Jen’s thinking about sending him down to basic algebra.

WH Press Sec. Psaki responds to Gov. DeSantis' (R-FL) financial penalties for school officials who violate his ban on mask mandates:

"If you are not interested in following the public health guidelines to protect the lives of people in your state … then get out of the way …" pic.twitter.com/Ea4kOMqX23

— The Recount (@therecount) August 10, 2021

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