XPost: fl.general, talk.politics.guns, sac.politics   
   XPost: alt.society.liberalism, soc.culture.african.american   
   From: nospam@ix.netcom.com   
      
   https://gistfest.com/gallery/florida-governor-slams-walmart-target-for-   
   their-woke-approach-to-retail-theft/   
      
   Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is probably one of the most well-known   
   politicians in the country. He has made quite the name for himself with   
   his incredibly strong and often controversial opinions and policies. Most   
   recently, the governor has slammed businesses such as Target, Walmart, and   
   CVS for locking up many of their products. DeSantis says corporations like   
   these are becoming far too “woke,” which, in his opinion, is quite the   
   insult.   
      
   Locked Cupboards Are Becoming More Common in Retail Stores   
      
   Everyone has seen locked cupboards at various retailers. Sometimes, they   
   contain expensive products like electronics, while other times, they keep   
   items that require identification, such as cigarettes or liquor, safe from   
   underage shoppers. However, recently, some stores have taken to locking up   
   inexpensive and completely innocent products like shampoo, lotion, and   
   toothpaste. This means shoppers have to ask for employee assistance to   
   gain access to more items than ever before.   
      
   Florida Governor Made a Post   
      
   Governor DeSantis has quite a strong opinion about this practice. He   
   posted on popular social media platform X, “Going into a drugstore to buy   
   toothpaste shouldn’t be like Fort Knox. You shouldn’t need a clerk to   
   unlock a case just to purchase basic items.” It’s important to understand   
   that DeSantis is arguing that average Americans shouldn’t have to ask to   
   access toothpaste while shopping.   
      
   Retail Theft Is at an All-Time High   
      
   The Governor believes that it is the responsibility of state governments   
   and the stores themselves to better enforce retail theft. There’s no doubt   
   that retail theft has become a real problem throughout the country. Large   
   retailers such as Target and Walmart have reported extreme financial   
   losses due to theft over the past couple of years.   
      
   The Businesses Were at a Loss   
      
   Walmart estimates that they lost nearly $3 billion last year to theft, and   
   Target wasn’t far behind with a $1 billion loss. Overall, American   
   companies collectively forfeit a whopping $112 billion in just one year of   
   profits thanks to petty and organized theft. Some people think that   
   stealing from a giant corporation like Walmart or Target is harmless since   
   they make more than enough money every year.   
      
   Target CEO Explains the Increase in Retail Theft   
      
   Target CEO Brian Cornell explained that a growing number of thefts are   
   turning violent. Cornell said, “During the first five months of this year,   
   our stores saw a 120% increase in theft incidents involving violence or   
   threats of violence.” However, DeSantis argues that millions of Americans   
   shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of a few criminals. Instead,   
   these stores need to crack down on crime.   
      
   What Can Be Done to Stop the Increase in Retail Theft?   
      
   To combat this growing issue, many companies have decided to remove self-   
   checkout counters and place many of their products, expensive or non,   
   under lock and key. They hope that these practices will deter criminals   
   and keep their employees and customers safe. Even though it may seem like   
   an inconvenience, the leaders of these corporations simply don’t know what   
   else to do.   
      
   Florida Is Increasing Punishments for Retail Theft   
      
   DeSantis said in a recent statement, “All these places, they’ve   
   effectively enacted policies that legalize shoplifting. So people just go   
   in, they take what they want, they leave.” And the governor isn’t just   
   complaining, he’s taking action against this frustrating reality. On April   
   9, 2024, DeSantis passed House Bill 549, which significantly increased the   
   punishment for retail theft across the Sunshine State.   
      
   The Woke Approach   
      
   In DeSantis’ opinion, the “woke” liberal mindset is far too passive.   
   America is a country of action, justice, and tradition, and by letting   
   criminals get away with their crimes because of lackadaisical policies,   
   companies are doing Americans a disservice. But this isn’t the first time   
   DeSantis has spoken out against companies that he believes are leaning too   
   far to the left.   
      
   A Typical Example   
      
   For example, when Bud Light hired a famous transgender woman as one of its   
   spokespeople, DeSantis said the brand had “radical social ideologies” and   
   encouraged people to boycott the popular beer. In addition to boycotting a   
   brand for working with a transgender person. This is according to the   
   Governor's opinion regarding transgender.   
      
   The Governor Has Always Famously Passed the Don’t Say Gay Bill   
      
   Governor DeSantis also passed a piece of legislation in 2022 that everyone   
   calls the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” DeSantis claimed the bill was meant to   
   “prohibit classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity   
   in certain grade levels or a specified manner” and ensure children are not   
   oversexualized in school.   
      
   Gender Identity   
      
   The vast majority of Americans saw the “Don't Say Gay Bill” as a way to   
   silence and shame children for their feelings and questions regarding   
   their orientation or gender. Whether these lockboxes will deter crime   
   remains to be seen, but companies like Target and Walmart are extremely   
   hopeful that they will make a difference.   
      
   The Governor’s Plan   
      
   Of course, DeSantis’ crack-down-on-crime approach is the same idea in   
   theory with a far different tactic. But if his plan does work and retail   
   theft in Florida decreases with the new punishments, other states may have   
   to emulate his plan next year, whether they want to or not.   
      
   https://gistfest.com/gallery/florida-governor-slams-walmart-target-for-   
   their-woke-approach-to-retail-theft/   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)