CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY APRIL 22, 2022
THE FLORIDA SENATE ON WEDNESDAY PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ELIMINATE WALT DISNEY WORLD’S SELF-GOVERNING STATUS. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE COMPANY’S RESPONSE TO A NEW STATE LAW LIMITING DISCUSSION OF LGBTQ ISSUES IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE.
THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE THE MEASURE AND GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS IS LIKELY TO SIGN IT.
FIFTY YEARS AGO, THE STATE OF FLORIDA GRANTED THIS SELF-GOVERNING AREA TO DISNEY, INCLUDING TAX BREAKS. IT WAS BELIEVED THE COMPANY WOULD GROW IN ORLANDO AND PROVIDE JOBS AND TAX REVENUE FROM CUSTOMERS WHO VISITED THE THEME PARK, STAYED IN HOTELS AND ATE AT RESTAURANTS. IT WORKED AND DISNEY WORLD BECAME A BEHEMOTH.
BUT NOW THE COMPANY’S NEW MANAGEMENT WANTS TO USE THE PARK AS ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PUSH A LIBERAL SOCIAL AGENDA ON KIDS AND PARENTS AND THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE AND PRESUMABLY THE GOVERNOR ARE REBELLING. GOOD FOR THEM. PEOPLE GO TO THEME PARKS AND OTHER FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT TO ESCAPE POLITICS AND THE CULTURE WARS. THEY DON’T EXPECT TO BE PROPAGANDIZED BY THE SECULAR LEFT.
DISNEY SHOULD REVERSE ITS POSITION, BUT IF THEY DO THEY WILL RISK THE RATH OF THE SECULAR PROGRESSIVES. THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE STARTED THIS FIGHT. I’M CAL THOMAS.
