A new species rises in South Florida: The political ‘expert’ ride-share driver. Yikes! | Opinion
In South Florida, we’ve become such political animals that even croquetas and empanadas are partisan presidential election fodder.
I plead guilty.
But it’s my job to weigh in on politics, especially when the controversial Republican runaway front-runner, Donald Trump, is a Florida man. And what writer can resist a word about a Mariel refugee — who, under Trump’s immigration policy, wouldn’t have been allowed in this country — yet names his Miami croquetas after him?
Only in Miami-Dade.
As is the new species of political “expert” rising in the heat of the 2024 election: The ride-share Uber and Lyft driver as self-anointed pundit, peddling to his captive audience his point of view on the likely Trump-Biden match-up — while he navigates our traffic-choked roads.
Yikes!
I’m all-in for politically engaged citizens who opine, protest, name restaurant croquetas after Trump or President Joe Biden — and, most importantly, vote. But, after my ride-sharing experience this weekend, I draw the line on political assaults and Florida GOP-styled evangelism when it comes to Uber and Lyft rides.
It’s not their job to drive and indoctrinate.
READ MORE: In Miami, croquetas sell themselves. But one cafe is getting a MAGA boost
Ride & suffer
When my driver picked me up Saturday, I was a happy party-goer trying to avoid parking stress, the reason I scheduled a pricey $20 ride for a 4-mile trip. By the time I arrived at my destination — in avoidable heavy traffic on the route he had taken while immersed in annoying political conversation — I was feeling the warning signs of mounting distress.
Our conversation started innocently enough.
“You have a pretty house,” he said, adding that he also lived in the area.
“Has yours hit a million yet?”
“No, but the ones on the lake have,” I said. “It’s incredible that I paid for this house 24 years ago what it now costs to buy a one-bedroom apartment in a dicey part of town.”
From there, the driver jumped to inflation and Biden-blasting mode. (Note: I didn’t credit President Clinton with my affordable house-buying.)
He was a Cuban border-crosser during the Trump years but now — ignoring heightened repression in Cuba since the historic July 11, 2021 protests — he sees himself as a better person than compatriots making the trek. He paid his dues, he said, when Trump detained him while his asylum claim was processed.
He described the border under Biden as “a disgrace,” repeating a facile GOP talking point and dismissing the recent Republican vote in Congress to block a bipartisan bill to give Biden resources and authority to stem the flow.
He blamed Biden, not Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and other factors economic experts cite, for skyrocketing gas prices he claims led to the loss of his fledgling trucking business.
His bottom line: “Anyone, but not Biden” in November.
I couldn’t help myself: “So you fled communism, but you’re willing to elect a delinquent who tried to subvert American democracy?”
A bingo moment.
Do us both a favor, Uber and Lyft drivers; find another topic of conversation.
“Don’t talk politics and drive” should be the new slogan on Florida Department of Transportation electronic highway banners.
When you share your story, I’m listening.
When you cross the line to spreading misinformation, I’m triggered.
When I answer with a dose of facts you don’t want to hear, you become agitated.
It seldom ends well.
No political tip
My driver is lucky I don’t punish hires for misguided political views.
I rated him five stars and gave him a 25% tip.
He was patient through traffic that unnerves me. He did well the job I hired him to do — and I take responsibility for my share of the exchange. Had I not been a journalist interested in what people have to say, and concerned about the proliferation of misinformation, I wouldn’t have engaged.
A simple “I don’t want to talk about politics” might have changed the vibe.
Since this is my line of business, here’s some workplace advice: Other passengers may not be as tolerant of unsolicited political opinion or as generous with compensation.
As the election approaches and politics become even more divisive, tempers are more likely to flare quickly. Leave politics to the operatives.
We don’t need to add another level of rage to steamy streets.
For the sake of ride-share community peace, keep your Trump-Biden politics off the roads.
This story was originally published February 20, 2024 at 12:37 PM.
