Self-governance succeeded in Florida. Now for the awards

The 2024 election brought victories for all Floridians and all Americans. Whether you feel elated, demoralized or unsure, We The People came away with two big prizes.

First, the voting system worked. Eleven million Floridians, the highest percentage turnout in three decades, participated fairly and freely. Outside the isolated, stupidity of a handful of burned ballot boxes and false bomb threats in other states, the system prevailed here and across the country. The will of the voters was heard.

Second, the losing party's leaders did not stomp their feet and whine about unproven cheating. They did not foment anger and outrage within their base and incite people to violence with their rhetoric. They did not claim to have evidence of fraud that doesn't exist.

Instead, those who lost did what a self-healing political movement should always do: Look inward and process the defeat as a failure of messaging, policy or values. This is the painful, necessary evolution when a party becomes tone-deaf to the American anthem.

They also stood up straight, reached out and congratulated the other side. If toughness was a resonating theme in this election, nothing tougher than admitting defeat with grace while reeling inside. Weakness is letting your inner child throw destructive tantrums.

After they complete their victory lap, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-dominated Legislature owe Floridians some thank-you notes. They should include a summary of how the Office of Election Crimes & Security thwarted the Democrats' systemic attempts to throw the election. Surely, $1.4 million bought DeSantis methods to capture the Democrats in their election-thieving ways. Or, if the evidence room is empty, admit the Democratic Party is principled and adheres to the rule of law but lost on an even playing field. We'll take either.

While we wait, here is a gift of helpful policy recommendations to own the libs even more. As the newly minted party of the proletariat, it's time to reward the working-class base now in the Republican tent. Medicaid expansion would help a lot of low-wage workers. So would investments in subsidized child care and public transportation. Republicans could even expand access to the vote, building on the red wave with the restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons who have served their time, regardless of whether they have paid obscure court fees and fines. Mail-in ballots worked great for the GOP. How about allowing ballots to be delivered to all registered voters without the hurdle of requesting them each time?

Before the confetti runs out, this is also an excellent time to recognize the dedicated public servants and volunteers who oversee the process. Hardworking election officials like Craig Latimer and Julie Marcus need to be in the parade, honored for doing their jobs well. The more people who trust our election system, the more people will vote. Most voters picked Republicans. They have all the power to improve people's lives and strengthen the democracy that awards that power in the first place.