Winter Haven Homeless Attacked with Warning by State

In response to an article in The Ledger about the state of Florida’s attorney general on the City of Winter Haven, I wrote an attack back at him, Mr. Uthmeier. Below is the original piece followed by my response, printed in The Ledger on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

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Winter Haven posted their response online.

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My response to Uthmeier’s lack of humanity is as follows.

Did you know that not having a home in Florida makes one dangerous? That’s what attorney general James Uthmeier recently said.

While he has a point that no one “wants … people … inebriated … or other dangerous … tendencies,” near our kids, does he think that most people want that? Homelessness?

Uthmeier said that homelessness is “not permitted,” as though it is some pop trend of people desiring homelessness. What’s next, requiring that the homeless buy permits to be in their horrific socio-economic state?

Uthmeier did project scant humanity when he said, “We’re happy to help them …”

I say, “How?”

Are you willing to buy a home for every homeless person in Winter Haven? Would you require religious nonprofits to fix the problem? Would you tax Florida’s wealthy, like yourself, to get this issue fixed?

Denmark and Finland have almost completely wiped-out homelessness. If they can, why can’t we do that for Winter Haven, for their city, for our county, for our state?

A report by Catharine Skipp, Miami School of Law (01/26), provides recommendations that every politician needs to take to heart.

Treat the homeless like the human beings that they in fact are. That would help.