Gov. Scott could use a history lesson

They say those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it.

So for a guy who started from humble beginnings, even lived in public housing, why would Gov. Rick Scott want to gut for others the same opportunities that allowed him to succeed?

In his second tour as governor, Scott, more than anyone, should realize that people in need come in all shapes, colors and sizes throughout Florida. They come in the form of the state workforce that the governor scorns; the firefighters who work to defend land and forests; the first responders to disasters named Andrew, Charley and Ivan, rendering aid to devastated communities; the ones who take down fraudulent doctors and peddlers of addictive drugs; the assistant states attorney and assistant public defenders who prosecute evil and defend the accused.

They also come in the form of places he’s forgotten, such as Hendry, Citrus and Putnam counties where the unemployment rates remain well above the state average, and the best jobs to be found are usually low paying and dead end.

Finally, they come in the form of our most vulnerable citizens he typically shuns: seniors on fixed incomes and those with disabilities, including veterans. He remembers them for photo ops, and forgets them once the last smiling shot is taken.

With the halfhearted and soulless approach the governor has taken on issues such as affordable housing, repairing our schools and listening to voters’ wishes for the environment and healthcare, it’s no wonder Florida leads the nation in the race to the bottom.

As he jets about the country, paying homage to corporate titans, it’s easy for Gov. Scott to miss the view of the masses huddled 36,000 feet below. The ones still waiting for him to open doors of opportunity for them as readily as he does for his fellow CEOs — the Floridians of every hue working hard not just to survive, but maintaining their hopes to one day thrive.

The ones who remember history, even if the governor has forgotten his.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Gov. Scott could use a history lesson."