WATCH: DeSantis says big business in US needs to change

Heather Hamilton

September 12, 09:27 AM September 12, 09:27 AM

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the goal of big business in the United States needs to shift from serving corporate America to creating a "good, fulfilling life and a prosperous society."

In his hourlong keynote speech at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, DeSantis argued that Florida’s business model even provides a “lesson for people on the Right.”

“Corporatism is not the same as free enterprise, and I think too many Republicans have viewed limited government to basically mean whatever is best for corporate America is how we want to do the economy," DeSantis said.

"And my view is, obviously, free enterprise is the best economic system, but that is a means to an end,” DeSantis continued. “It's a means to having a good, fulfilling life and a prosperous society. It's not an end in and of itself."

The Republican governor, who is campaigning for reelection as governor in Florida, also addressed election integrity, telling those in attendance: “You can have the best election laws in the world, but if they're not enforced, what good are they?”

The Republican also touted Florida’s example of education and medical freedom while blasting leftist COVID-19 mandates.

“Not only were they wrong about schools, the elites were wrong about lockdowns, epidemiological and hospitalization models, forced masking, the efficacy of natural immunity,” DeSantis said. “In almost every significant issue, the elites were wrong.”

As DeSantis continues his campaign for reelection as governor of Florida, he leads his Democratic opponent Charlie Crist, former Democratic Florida governor and House member, 50%-41%, in a survey last week.