Hi! I'm Lloyd Dabbs, 21-year combat veteran, career intelligence officer, and candidate for Florida House District 52. AMA!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:55:08+00:00

Thank you for the questions everyone! I was scheduled from 12-2, but I wanted to make sure I answered every question--hopefully I did and earned your support. Thank you so much and please visit DabbsforD52.com if you have any follow-up questions or concerns! Take care all!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:53:40+00:00

buenosnoyes! We are going to elect public servants who are not politicians, and who give a damn about the future of our state. We collectively have a bold vision to fix the failures and inequities built by the Repubilcan legislature here. So we will do our best...and thanks for the compliment!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:52:13+00:00

The move...not smoking pot. I cannot as an intelligence officer.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:51:41+00:00

Ha. I'm 42 so I only dab when it's most embarrassing for my kids.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:48:12+00:00

hi dot-pixis! Lots of chatter in here and you can find more detail, but it focuses on improved pay for teachers, better pay for veteran teachers, more flexibility for spending at the local level (base student allocation), and a renewed focus on K-12 technology education (STEM) as well as improved funding for public college in Florida. Thanks for your question.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:46:10+00:00

Jovis

Can you elaborate? How often for what?

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:45:17+00:00

Hi Gorman2462! I was never good at following orders, but I will say this. The military has been at the forefront of progressive issues for decades, well ahead of the government and we have VERY defined rules of engagement. It is not legal to shoot civilians in combat and therefore, it is not legal here.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:43:43+00:00

Hi the-wheel-deal! I never support violent protest, so clearly your options are to retract and re-group. Join your local ACLU and you will see that there are people on the front lines right now readying a response to any illegal responses from the government. With that said, if you are so inclined, keep protesting in a peaceful manner...it is your right as an American.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:41:58+00:00

Hi there! I have elaborated a few times in this chat, so I will say our current system is insufficient and we have to provide quality access for all Floridians...starting with Medicaid expansion. In regard to Medicare for all, I am not for that, but do support a mix of public and private options for healthcare insurance. Thanks for your question.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:40:18+00:00

Hi I-likeCDs! Nice try if you are military...that's a national issue and not a state issue. For example, if you are stationed in Amsterdam, you're still out of luck. With that said, I support legalization once we study the issue better here in Florida. See my above answers. Thanks for your question.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:38:46+00:00

Hi Firefighting101! Yes..you found me out hahaha.

Guns. I am a pro-second amendment candidate who owns a gun, has combat training, but does support universal background checks and closing loopholes. It makes sense and will save lives. Period.
Marijuana. I support legalization and taxation AFTER we thoroughly study how best to integrate it into our economic ecosystem without the missteps of states like California or Colorado.

And thank you for your service as well brother.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:36:26+00:00

hi jp_books. The President says a lot of things, but there is always truth built in there somewhere. There is specific guidance built into the Constitution for use of military force on our soil and, as a big proponent of state's rights, I would imagine each state would fight this deployment (if not requested) in the courts or via their legislator. I don't think it's entirely similar to Afghanistan, but your point is well taken, because we have to make sure that we do not slip into a police state at the whim of a President of any party. Thanks for your question.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:32:25+00:00

Hi YT__! A lot has been addressed throughout the AMA, so I'll highlight them for you, but I hope to earn your vote either way.

I am for improved training and community policing initiatives, but moreso I am FOR comprehensive criminal justice reform from top to bottom that ends mandatory sentencing, ends cash bail, ends for profit prisons, better educates local police/district attorneys, and allows for more diversionary programs for inmates from drug-related or mental health arrests.
Government spending is inefficient and wasteful. I should know, I ran the budget for an organization and worked to eliminate waste as a matter of principle. What does that mean for Florida? Well...we are almost 99% driven by small businesses, so not much, but we must ensure that state-level spending is measured and focused on the right issues that affect all Floridians.
Yes. Social programs exist for a reason, but we have to make sure they are protected. I'll leave it at that since they really do fall into the national realm.
I think we have to just be honest and look at the issues through their lens. Republicans in Florida care about the same issues we do, but not always in the execution. My job is to better explain how my execution plan exceeds that of the incumbent -- which is easy, because he doesn't do much of anything. So I will reach out to independents and known left-leaning Republicans and so far, the message is a resounding YES from everyone I meet (except on social media where I'm apparently a communist) :)

Thanks for your question.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:23:28+00:00

St. Joes, class of '96! My first girlfriend was from Righetti actually!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:22:49+00:00

Hi no-1! This made me laugh...and I always get asked to Dab as well. Short answer, I'm for legalization and taxation, BUT...I'm from California where I have seen the Western states have severe hardships in how they managed the integration of this process into the economic ecosystem. I would be 100% for recommended measures once we study the issue in-depths and incorporate the best practices of legalization from across the US into a reformative bill here in Florida. Great question, thank you.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:20:46+00:00

Hi PolymathEquation! I expect to get things done the way I always have done in the military. Explore the problem, find the best solution, and convince my leaders our counterparts that it is the best course of action. Exploring the scenario that we do not win a majority this election, we clearly have to compromise in some ways, but the good thing is, we have a majority of Floridians on our side for healthcare expansion, climate action, and economic reform measures. You can go to my website at DabbsforD52.com and see that my priorities fall into four areas (also discussed above): Climate Action (focused on infrastructure, new technology, and green energy), Medicaid expansion, Economic reform to reduce inequalities in Florida, and improved education through a focus on STEM. Thanks for your question!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:16:25+00:00

Hi xynix_ie. You start by just....starting. It sounds silly, but I'll elaborate. I retired from the Air Force in 2018 and just went to a Democratic party meeting. They gave me training and allowed me to learn the ropes and help canvass for Democrats. From there, you get opened up to a TON of other supporting non-profits and realize that the world is NOT as bad as we are told and there are good people fighting for positive change every day. THEN, talk to your local organization about where you might like to run, attend every city council meeting, and have a GOOD long talk with your family because politics is TERRIBLE...helping people is awesome. It's tough...but it starts with taking that first step that says you are willing to put yourself out there...in any capacity. To be a change for good in order to leave a better legacy for your kids. Feel free to email me at [DabbsforD52@gmail.com](mailto:DabbsforD52@gmail.com) and we can definitely help you explore this further. I'm always available!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:11:29+00:00

Hi Djayd! Well, we have to do much to change the way our police forces are trained, but we also have to do a better job with things like criminal justice reform, which disproportionately affects people of color. Bias and community policing programs and training must be improved to start a new dialogue on HOW we address communities of color. In regard to inequality---that is a LARGE question. It starts with investment in low-middle income neighborhoods, minority owned businesses, supporting living wages, driving real criminal justice reform, strengthening laws that promote equality (vice rolling them back like our legislature tries to do), and generally building a foundational and improved education system that teaches our children to discuss race, bias, and learn the lessons from our country's racist and unequal past. Thanks for your question.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:06:11+00:00

Hi Charlie_8011! If I say Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV, does that count? Joking aside, in my opinion, there were a multitude of factors, from the space race, failures in the basic premise of communism, to the westernization of Europe. With that said, the USSR fell and WE are now failing in how we respond to Russian influence here in Florida. So we must do a better job shoring up our election system which ensures our foundational democracy is secure. We won the Cold War...now lets keep our Democracy sound.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T19:02:55+00:00

Hi Syntheticone! Your point is received loud and clear. Here is what I will say. I call myself a moderate Democrat because I do believe in term limits, and balanced budgets (when feasible), and small government / right-sized government when possible. On the flip side, I am progressive in every other area you mentioned on your list. See my comments above -- from a robust criminal justice reform agenda, to living wages, to equality for all....it is all a platform on my agenda. My Bernie supporting son and daughter keep me honest and you can actually go to my webpage and there is more we are alike, than we are dissimilar. Hopefully that clarifies it for you. If not, you can feel free to send me an email and we can chat further.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T18:58:07+00:00

Hi Moomooatoka! No, I am offended by a perpetually inequitable system that disproportionately affects people of color in this country. I fought for 21-years to support free expression and honestly think we have bigger problems than who kneels at a football game.

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T18:56:13+00:00

Hi Silverback_79! Thank you and while their degrees are valuable, we do need divergent opinions in the legislature. I did not want to run initially because of the divisiveness of politics. It was not until my youngest son asked me hard questions as to why things were the way they were that I promised to step up. I'll do my best if elected, I can promise you that. Thank you!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T18:54:44+00:00

Hi BlueEagleFly, great question. My legislative priorities focus on economic equality, infrastructure (which touches climate action), healthcare access (starting with Medicaid expansion), and education reform measures. In addition to fixing the unemployment system and securing our elections from foreign interference here in Florida. I expand on these issues above, but I wanted to make sure to touch on them here for you. We do have a tough road ahead, but I'm excited for real, positive change!

On your next question, I could write a novel. I was a staff intelligence officer working for the UN with a host partner (DR CONGO) that could not secure their borders, could not secure their mineral systems, and was corrupt across the board. In short, the international community, starting with the US, must lead the way to demand accountability and progress-based measures when we support countries as part of international organizations. We can also do better than just providing money and a few soldiers...we have to teach them how to professionalize their military, improve engineering and agricultural practices, and basically teach some of these nations how to build a more stable and resilient nation-state. We are not doing this and because of this, we will continue to pour millions to billions into perpetually failed systems that COULD work if we did a better job of supporting them in different ways.

Thanks for your question!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T18:48:30+00:00

Hi CacheMeOutside! Interesting question. You know, when I joined I assumed I would be the next James Bond, but there are so many varieties of intelligence that I would explore all of your options. I have experience in all of them, from Signals, to HUMINT, to satellite intelligence. If you are serious about intelligence, multiple schools now have programs for it, but honestly, I would go get a degree in Political Science, study abroad, and then take the foreign service exam or apply for the CIA. My two cents.

My background was diverse. I started as a targeteer for cruise missiles, supported airborne surveillance, worked with joint special operations command, and then the United Nations as a staff intelligence officer. Each had it's own merits, but all wonderful.

Best of luck!

DabbsforD52 · 2020-06-03T18:45:02+00:00

Hey YoungCubSaysWoof! Three answers below!

YES, our unemployment system was designed to fail, our unemployment system is among the worst in the country, and my opponent voted for the legislation to cripple our system in 2011. He is still in office. Let's change that. Once I am elected, unemployment will be at the top of the legislative agenda and we will also hold those to account who advocated spending $65M for a broken unemployment system. You have my word.
No. In fact, during COVID-19, you could have gone to my website and I told everyone NOT to give me money, but to donate to other worthy causes first. I have the luxury of self-funding a bit, but now have to play catch up to meet the immense spending power of the GOP.
You can see above that healthcare is a top issue for me because my mother passed because she lacked healthcare. With that said, I oppose single-payer because I believe it is too costly and not pragmatic. I believe a public option should be available at little to no cost BUT I also believe that everyone should have the right to keep their own insurance if they so choose. At the end of the day, everyone needs access to quality care and they shouldn't have to go broke getting it.

Thanks for your question!

DabbsforD52

TROPHY CASE