We are living in an unprecedented and uncertain time. The entire world is fighting COVID-19, which has proven deadly among the elderly or those with existing health problems. Politicians are struggling to decide the best approach. People all over the globe are on lockdown in their homes, only allowed to leave for essential trips to the store. Businesses, schools, and churches have been closed down. Many have lost their income and are hurting financially. Many people are scared. Where do we go from here?
Those of us who care about our Constitution, who care about the liberty that our country was founded on, are confused and distraught. Our Mayors and Governors are taking drastic, panicked measures to curb the spread of the virus. Some have illegally banned citizens from buying guns to protect their families. Some have ordered people to be arrested and jailed for simply going out in public. Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to permanently shut down churches. Many officials have told private businesses to close down, throwing working people out of jobs. These are all blatant violations of our Constitution and our most valued human rights.
Perhaps the most extreme example is in Hungary, where the Hungarian parliament gave Prime Minister Viktor Orban unlimited and indefinite emergency powers to run the country as a dictator. Parliament was closed, future elections were cancelled, and the emergency measure has no expiration date. These knee-jerk reactions could be even more dangerous than COVID-19. Sadly, if we question these extreme actions, we are told we have “blood on our hands.”
Not all elected officials have given up on our constitutional republic. Congressman Andy Biggs recently published an op-ed encouraging leaders to stop making decisions based out of fear. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke and the Chandler City Council have managed to avoid many of the excessive, extreme actions we’ve seen from other city and town governments. Congressman Thomas Massie is now being referred to as “the most hated man on Capitol Hill” for simply requesting that Congress vote on the record for the largest spending bill in history.
Governor Doug Ducey has been under enormous pressure to shut down the entire state. Fortunately, he has pushed back with a balanced approach to fight the virus without turning Arizona into a police state. Unlike many “stay-at-home” orders in other states, Governor Ducey’s order says that citizens will not be required to show documentation or proof to justify their activities. Arizonans will not be arrested for going out in public. Instead, Governor Ducey is asking Arizonans to exercise good judgment; to be responsible, to stay at home when possible, and to practice social distancing. Ducey’s stay-at-home order also allows many important businesses to remain open under certain precautions. Governor Ducey understands that we can flatten the curve without shutting down our economy and throwing Arizonans into poverty.
Reach out to these elected officials and tell them they are doing a great job! Ask your other officials to respect liberty! They need to hear from you. With so many people overcome by fear, our leaders face enormous pressure to take even more drastic measures.
My message is this: We can care about lives lost to this virus and also express concern about the political consequences. We can find a sensible balance.<
As I write this, it is April 1st and 29 Arizonans have died from COVID-19. My heart goes out to their families. I encourage everyone to take this virus seriously. Practice social distancing, stay home when possible, and comply with the CDC guidelines. Failure to do so will cause the virus to spread further; costing more lives and forcing politicians to revoke even more liberties. Let’s show our political leaders that free choices by citizens work better than government force. The great experiment of American liberty has not failed us; it just requires us all take personal responsibility. We must all do our part to slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. Many lives depend on it. The future of our constitutional republic also depends on it.
[metaslider id=65385]