Letters: Governor’s strategy could have long-term consequences

With the appointment of Rep. Cord Byrd to the position of Florida Secretary of State, it appears that Gov. DeSantis has taken another step towards his goal of ensuring election victory in November at any cost. Unfortunately, the short-sighted approach taken by Republicans in their quest to maintain control risks turning the great state of my birth into a third-world banana republic.

The relentless demonization of any opposition — and swift retaliation against any criticism — is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes. Blatant attempts to control election outcomes by redistricting and hindrances to voting aimed at minority constituents, coupled with the creation of a personal election integrity police force, are obvious attempts to subvert the will of voters who have the temerity to oppose DeSantis.

The final piece of the power retention apparatus is the appointment of Byrd, a staunchly partisan politician who believes in the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. Byrd will most likely be happy to decertify any election that DeSantis does not win. The dangers of these various machinations, however, are not confined to the results of the upcoming elections.

Instant gratification may be an alluring goal, but I would ask those involved in these radical maneuvers to remember that change is the only constant. One day, however distant it may seem, a Democrat will be elected Governor. Someday there may be a Democratic majority in the Florida House and Senate.

Do you really want to so fatally damage the democratic process that the results ensure unassailable and absolute power for anyone corrupt enough to take it?

Andrew Pearson, Neptune Beach

Don’t make UNF wait for Limayem

Why should the University of North Florida students, faculty, staff, community partners, funders and friends have to wait weeks for the school’s new president, Dr. Moez Limayem, to be confirmed by the Board of Governors?

The Board of Trustees has dutifully performed its job and the entire Northeast Florida region anxiously awaits his confirmation and presence in our community. I will happily pay for the conference call to facilitate this inevitable outcome.

John J. Allen, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Letters: Governor’s strategy could have long-term consequences