It's All about Control

 

I've read a lot about the Revolutionary War and the Founding Fathers, and frankly, I wish more Americans would do the same. Maybe it would give some of them a greater appreciation for the country in which they live.

There were heroes in those days, both on and off the fields of battle. And yes, many of them were flawed men. Anyone who thinks the so-called Founding Fathers were perfect needs to go back and read some history. But keep in mind, in studying historical figures, we should be careful not to judge and criticize based on contemporary standards. It is a simple fact that things were different. It was a much different time and place altogether and we shouldn't forget that.

Now understand, that does not excuse their behavior or in any way justify some of their actions, but despite their imperfections, they accomplished amazing things.

Sorry to digress. More to the point, for today anyway, thirteen individual colonies (who were used to doing their own thing) reluctantly joined forces to battle a common enemy - King George III and England. The problem? A distant central government was exerting too much control and creating unnecessary burdens on the people.

And when these colonies succeeded in achieving independence, the last thing they wanted was to trade one oppressor for another. In other words, they did not want a huge federal government that would once again become a burden. Which explains why they struggled mightily over the creation of the new Constitution.

Many citizens of those thirteen colonies wanted nothing more than to go back to their homes and govern themselves once more with as little interference as possible from this new federal government. Many had no interest whatsoever in creating a central government.

Now, centuries later, many are still fighting this same battle. States want to govern themselves without undue pressure to conform. Governors want to do what's best for their citizens without being bullied from Washington DC.

Cities want to run their own local schools and businesses themselves without burdensome regulations from above. Mayors don't want governors telling them what to do or how to govern their communities.

And individuals want to make their own decisions about what's best for themselves and their families without broad (and sometimes unreasonable) government mandates.

My point? Vaccines may be completely safe and effective (even without FDA approval) and they may be the best way to combat the current virus, or any other. Masks (even the cheap, cute, cloth ones) might really protect you, despite the conflicting messages from Dr. Fauci and the CDC. Who knows?

But ... Should the federal government, or the state government, or even the city government (or any elected official) be allowed to force individual citizens to follow one-size-fits-all mandates?

Or do individuals still have the right and the freedom to make decisions for themselves?