Do you think the effective suspension of our Constitution evidenced by the extraordinary and unrestrained powers self-granted by the governors of the various states to quite literally control the lives and property and restrict even the most basic liberties of the people of their states under the mantle of "protecting public health" and "it's for the collective good" for an expanding and in most cases undefined length of time is warranted by this virus?
Before answering, I ask that you consider this question with the understanding that with respect to these governors's growing authority and in consideration of the penalties including arrest, fines and implied incarceration faced by citizens who violate the new and expanding proscriptions that are being issued each day by these governors -- no new law has been enacted (that is, the legislatures are not meeting); no crimes have been committed against laws that are currently in place; and no trials have been held (that is, the courts are not operating)
Equally critical to consider before responding is that once the the threat posed by this virus has been mitigated to, I suppose, an "acceptable level" (not sure how that will be determined and by whom), how will the constitutionally-limited powers of state executives be restored? Do we rely on their integrity and good intentions to "self-rein in"? That sounds damn risky to me. From the actions -- not intentions but actions -- of some of the governors -- specifically the vile (a carefully selected descriptor) actions of the despicable governors of Michigan and Nevada who commanded that a drug determined to be effective against this virus is prohibited in their states from being administered or even prescribed by doctors to save the life of their patients in the name of "protecting public health" while these governors continue to allow -- allow! their state's abortion clinics to continue to function as an "essential medical service". We must rely on powerful people like these two heartless governors to restore our liberty? Are you kidding me?
You can tell I'm quite concerned about what is happening to our Republic even though I understand the current threat this virus poses ... and I would appreciate your thoughtful response to the original question I have posed. Cheers & regards.
What do you think of what happened during Reconstruction?
What do you think about vaccine mandates?
The difference is this is an Invisible Disaster which leaves a trail of sick and or dying people as it unknowingly crosses cities, towns and across the country.....and everybody can be it's victim......we don't now where it's at until people get sick or dying.
As it stands, the President is strongly recommending, the CDC is advising, but the Governors are free to handle their own state. This is why there is no uniformity; some states shut down and some shut down at different times with different conditions on their citizens. Example: 14-day quarantines for those traveling from one state or the other are in place over here but not over there.
Bear in mind, individual rights have always been curtailed in the event of a catastrophic event, especially one involving contagious disease. One cannot yell fire in a field of wounded. One gets out of the way so as not become a problem themselves. When the problem is handled and the fire is smoldering ashes, then is the time to revisit state governorship. Two months into a pandemic, unless there is aggrieved overreach, which we have not seen, is not the time. Those that question such at this point would seem to have ulterior motives, or maybe a lack of understanding of each state's individual constitutional powers given their governor by the people of that state.
Some Governors have overstepped. Seems to me they were doing it long before the pandemic. I don’t agree that the Constitution has been suspended, although there are obviously constraint imposed on the exercise of certain rights. Being asked to stay home is certainly going to challenge a lot of people - I am one of them - but under the circumstances it protects the health of many and the economic freedom of all. A crashed HCS and crashed economy will impose a great deal more hardship on everyone. This is temporary.
Governors, however, do have extraordinary powers in time of emergency. The ones that have abused and are abusing those powers need to be challenged. If they try to retain those powers after the emergency is over, then you can fight them in the courts or on the streets as appropriate. And if there is no overstepping but you are still offended by the actions of your state’s officials, there is always the ballot box.
And no, I don’t consider that asserting that abortion is an “essential service” is either honest or ethical. It is entirely in the service of special interests and those governors need to be held accountable. That is a different battlefield, however.
And for the record, it isn’t fear of the virus here. That’s the wrong word and carries the wrong semantical baggage. People that cannot distinguish between being prepared and trying to help others, and fear, must live in their own kind of personal nightmare.
I empathize with the sick and the dead and with the loss their families and friends must endure. But I also see what needs to be done and that the Trump administration is largely saying and doing the right things. I am confident we will come through this as well as we reasonably can. And I will find the positives in the situation. What else is there to do? Certainly not start a rebellion. But when it’s over if you want to go after the governor of your state for being tyrannical, go for it and I’ll cheer you on.