Sorry, Gavin Newsom. Real Freedom Fighters Are Leading Conservative Southern States, Not California

“Freedom is our essence, our brand name — the abiding idea that right here, anyone from anywhere can accomplish anything,” so said the stunt double for Gordon Gekko’s hair, Gavin Newsom, upon being sworn in for his second term as the governor of California. Never mind that California was the exemplar of draconian lockdown policies designed to stop Covid, nor that businesses are fleeing the state, nor that it’s using “1984” You can also use it as a roadmap. If Gov. French Laundry says it’s true, as he’s taking shots at potential future presidential rivals in Florida and Texas, it must be true.

Maybe it’s true for Earth-2. California was once the home of innovation and a bastion of America’s independent spirit. The expression “As goes California, so goes the nation” didn’t gain currency because it was incorrect. As another expression goes, “That was then, this now.” For in the now, it’s southern states and governors who are leading the way on freedom, empowering citizens, rebuilding infrastructure, and returning to the lost ideal of just leaving people alone.

Florida, Texas and, God willing my Arkansas do more to encourage freedom than Beijing on The Bay when it comes to policies. How do we know? Well, while actions speak louder than words, the actions of the governors of those states show they’re not afraid to put their money where their mouths are. 

Ron DeSantis was elected to his second term as governor in a state that had been purple before he was reelected by nearly 19 points. His inaugural speech declared Florida a bastion for freedom. But he has the statistics to prove it. He has a track record of accomplishments, including fighting indoctrination disguised as education and fighting woke corporate excess.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders was elected Arkansas’ first female governor by a margin approximately 27 points. She immediately issued executive orders to combat racism disguised as education and urged the legislature not to repeal them. Five executive orders concerning Covid, which were put in place by Asa Hutchinson, her Republican predecessor, she repealed. She also instituted a promotion freeze and hiring freeze for state workers, and made it impossible for state agencies to issue new regulations without approval.

Greg Abbott dealt Robert Francis when he was “Novice Air Drummer” O’Rourke his latest defeat, was sworn in for his third term as governor of Texas, the new technology and innovation hub of America, he sounded the alarms on indoctrination, public safety, and the crisis at America’s southern border as well as offering a positive vision for the future of Texas. He stressed the need to focus on infrastructure and ensuring that the state’s power grid is prepared not just for the next four years “but for the next 40 years.”

Texas’ population has