Idalia. That’s the name of a tropical storm that in the next few hours–maybe before I finish this posting–is expected to turn into a category 3 hurricane, packing winds of near 100 mph. It is expected to hit somewhat north of Tampa, and then make its way across the peninsula on a NE direction. Storm damage to countless homes and businesses is inevitable if the expected trajectory is proven accurate.

Was it not that long ago that Florida got its ass kicked by back-to-back hurricanes, one of which essentially leveled Ft. Meyers. Since then, compounding the precarious reality of living in a state that always has to consider hurricanes wreaking havoc on life and limb, is the “home insurance crisis” that now adds even more trepidation to what Idalia may or may not do. At least six home insurance companies have gone bankrupt in Florida over the past year. Farmers Insurance recently pulled up stakes in the sunshine state. Smaller companies have moved in, but with rates often so high they challenge residents ability to hold onto their homes.

Rates have been sharply going up in Florida since 1992’s monster, category 5 hurricane Andrew in 1992. As bad as the hurricanes of year last year were, Floridians have essentially themselves to blame for poor preparedness from state agencies when it comes to these hurricanes. How so? Well, they elected Rick Scott who actually forbade the use of the phrases “climate change” and “global warming” in such state planning and preparedness. Current governor, and presidential wannabee Ron DeSantis is as willfully ignorant as Scott as far as not taking science-based climate threats seriously. How profoundly ignorant is that these Republican governors refuse to accept climate chaos reality? What is it they have to gain by being such gigantic assholes? Well, once again, each got elected and then re-elected. As the saying goes, we get the government we deserve. Nationally or locally. So, well done, you Floridian dupes who voted for these two dummies. Maybe some of you can afford exorbitant insurance rates, but I doubt most others can.

Then again, it’s one big, dumb-ass country at this point. Consider the absolute absurdity that passes for politics from coast-to-coast. Scott and DeSantis are especially bad for Florida as far as taking basic climate science and needed adaptive preparedness for increasingly powerful hurricanes seriously. Elected officials, scattered from Miami to Maui, have proven themselves unfit for office. Yeah, we get the government we deserve.

The U.S. has so many dangerous morons that have gotten elected by dangerously moronic voters. Dupes, dummies, patsies, saps, suckers and slackers are par for the (dis)course. When the 2024 election comes around, there’s a good chance that morons will again win the day. How? The system is rigged. Of course it is. Can you say “electoral college”? And while it seems that everyday, someplace is either on fire or underwater, and the cause is clear and confirmed by science, one can only hope to live in what remains precincts where a sense of reason and responsibility to one and all is at least given a fighting chance.

We shall see, huh? In the meantime, Idalia and its ilk gear up to literally and figuratively feed from the through of human stupidity that swells up and threatens to eventually wash away all in its path.

Call it Mother Nature cleaning her house of the pests that keep pissing on her carpet.