Anthony DeRibas: Advocating for Real Change in Florida's 16th District Follow along with the campaign at DeRibasForCongress.org or AnthonyDeRibasforFL16 on socials Host Amy McDonald of The Foolish Optimist podcast engages with Anthony DeRibas, an independent candidate running for Florida's 16th Congressional District. DeRibas shares his journey from his first political run in 1998 to his current campaign, emphasizing the need for debt reform, civil liberties, and true working-class representation in Congress. He discusses the barriers faced by independent candidates, such as closed primaries and steep ballot fees, and outlines his platform focusing on housing, healthcare, and immigration. DeRibas also critiques the entrenched two-party system and highlights the importance of collaboration for meaningful change in American politics. 00:00 Introduction to the Foolish Optimist Podcast 00:13 Meet Anthony DeRibas: A Working-Class Candidate 00:50 Anthony's Political Journey: From 1998 to Now 02:34 Challenges of Running as an Independent 06:17 Campaign Finance and Ballot Access 15:54 Housing, Healthcare, and Immigration: Key Issues 21:11 Rental Fees and Corporate Abuses 21:43 Income Qualification Reform 21:54 Libertarian Views and Generational Challenges 23:33 Government Intervention and Corporate Accountability 24:10 Credit Score Protections and Application Fee Regulations 24:46 Local Oversight and Tenant Associations 25:42 Immigration Policies and Family Separation 27:35 Florida's Immigration Issues and Homelessness 29:08 Economic Arguments and Policy Choices 30:50 Complexity of Government and Long-Term Solutions 33:54 Military Spending and Domestic Needs 37:58 Campaign Information and Social Media 38:58 Get to Know the Candidate: Fun Questions 45:04 Closing Remarks and Podcast Information