Maybe it’s because I cheer for the villains. It might be because I’m a sucker for redemption narratives. It very well could be something else entirely that I’m not fully aware of yet. Whatever the reason, I have to make a confession.
Despite being a college student, a liberal and a registered Democrat, I’m starting to like Rick Scott.
Allow me to set some basic statements before everyone just grabs torches and pitchforks. (You can tar and feather me at the end of this column if you still think I deserve it.)
First off, I don’t trust him one bit. I’ve thought he was a sleaze since I first saw him. His background does not inspire confidence at all. In fact, I’m still waiting for some massive corruption story to come out and ruin his political career.
But I can’t truthfully deny that some of his latest actions resonate with me.
Although the state Legislature has the final say, Gov. Scott pulled an about-face few expected, offering his support to the Affordable Care Act. He added some provisions regarding his support, but progress is progress, so I can’t complain.
He also has pushed a tuition bill, referred to as “Finish in Four,” that freezes the tuition rate of students enrolling in state universities. That bill just passed the Florida Senate’s Education Committee. Another bill that passed the committee is one that grants UF and Florida State University pre-eminence, which gives me a slight ego trip.
Speaking of ego trips, Scott has a bit of swagger — and I mean the actual intended use of the word, not that “swag” and “YOLO” junk I could write fifteen different columns on — in his actions. He wants Florida to be better braggers than Texas. I am 100 percent behind bragging for any legitimate reason, be it job growth, university ranking or ending a Cinderella run during March Madness.
More than likely, this is all just to appeal to as many people as possible as we near the upcoming election season. I’m OK with that because such is the nature of politicians as elections approach. To assume otherwise invites deception.
I am reminded of a quote by economist Adam Smith I was first introduced to in my microeconomics class. It generally applies to market behavior, but it can also apply to legislation pushed and actions demonstrated leading up to voting day.
It reads: “Every individual... neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it... he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.”
Scott is desperately trying to improve his abysmal approval rating, and in a way, he’s not even trying to hide it. While protecting his own hide, he is also supporting what most of us view as the greater good.
It is also similar to when outgoing presidents grant pardons. They are trying to alter their legacy so they are viewed in a more positive light as they walk out of the Oval Office for the last time.
So here’s a cheer for Rick Scott, the governor we love to hate.
Voldemort is probably going to be voted out of office, but at least he is doing some good toward the end of his run. It’s not like I’m going to vote for him anyway.
Logan Ladnyk is a journalism junior at UF. His column runs on Fridays. You can contact him via opinions@alligator.org.
