SPECIAL: Does Democratic Governors’ Petty Tyranny Spell Doom in November?

J Robert Smith

  • April 17, 2020
  • 4 min read

At least one protester, Monica Faith Ussery, 51, of Holly Springs [North Carolina], was charged with violating the [Governor Roy Cooper’s] executive order.

“I have a right to peacefully assemble,” she said as officers led her away, her hands bound with a zip tie. “God bless America.”

The News & Observer, April 14, 2020

[Gov. Gretchen] Whitmer’s order generated a great deal of pushback. It includes a prohibition on large retailers selling allegedly nonessential items, such as paint and outdoor supplies, meaning stores like Home Depot had to tape off those sections from customers. Lawncare services have been temporarily shuttered. With very few exceptions, the order prohibits people from traveling between residences [snip]

Reason, April 15, 2020

THE TAKE

We’ve got a petty tyranny problem in the states, and most of it is due to Democratic governors. Yes, COVID-19 is a contagion. Yes, sensible measures need to be taken. But in state after state run by Democrats, we’re seeing flagrant disregard for citizens’ constitutional rights in the name of protecting public health. But grassroots backlashes are beginning. Will Democrats’ overreach come back to bite them in November?

Let’s name some states where Democratic governors are overreaching.

In California, Michigan, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Nevada, Kansas, and Washington state, Democrat chief executives have imposed rigorous stay-at-home or lockdown orders. They’ve suspended most commerce and other routine activities. They do so in nearly cookie-cutter fashion, with little regard for the facts on the ground and raw data.

The COVID-19 contagion isn’t impacting every state and locality similarly. But Democrats don’t care to hear that.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf is forcing the same stringent restrictions on rural areas as he is on Philadelphia – despite rural areas experiencing few infections and hardly any deaths.

New York City and vicinity are most certainly hotspots, and require tougher action. Andrew Cuomo is working to contain and tamp down the infection there. But upstate New York is lightly impacted. Why should citizens upstate bear the burden of onerous rules and suffer injury to their rights?

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer is imposing Constitution-trampling measures that are, in part, contradictory and absurd – and in some ways, inhumane.

From 105.1 The Bounce in Detroit, April 10, 2020:

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s restrictive ban also extends her previous stay-at-home order until May 1st. In announcing the new order, Whitmer said, “All public and private gatherings of any size are prohibited” — but went on to say residents “can still leave the house for outdoor activities … as long as they’re taking place outside of six feet from anyone else.” [italics added]

Whitmer, in her boundless generosity, is granting her “subjects” the privilege of interacting with others. But, say you have 85-year-old parents who live a couple of neighborhoods over and need daily assistance. How do you help them outside, six feet apart?

Americans’ patience has begun to fray. Protests are happening, and more can be expected… protests for basic rights… protests that are bound to swell and grow in intensity.

Rights may be abstract to some people, but the need for jobs, paychecks, and thriving small businesses are stark realities to most.

While New York City is the hotspot for the coronavirus outbreak, Michigan is Ground Zero for grassroots protests against the petty tyranny of Democratic governors. Lansing, Michigan’s state capitol, was jam-packed with thousands protesters from across the state on Wednesday. London’s Daily Mail also reports that protests have erupted in at least five other states.

As of April 16, a staggering 22 million Americans (18%) are without jobs. Government relief checks go only so far. Lost wages for most of these Americans translate into anxieties over paying mortgages or rents, making car payments, paying monthly utility bills, buying groceries, and more.

From WTOC 11, Savannah, Georgia, April 17, 2020:

In Savannah, hundreds of cars and trucks lined up Thursday at a drive-thru food bank on the city’s historic riverfront. In line was Crystal Braden, who lost her job as a Savannah tour guide. Braden said she needs help after spending much of her savings on groceries.

What about small businesses, which have been hammered by shutdowns? Many small businesses are mom and pop operations owned by minorities.

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 1, 2020:

It’s a situation that Bob Sanders, the public relations director for the Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce, expects it to play out on repeat for black businesses due to COVID-19.

He invoked an old saying in African-American communities that is often applied during economic downturns: when white folks catch a cold, black folks get pneumonia.

It means economic woes that cripple mainstream businesses are often deadly for black-owned businesses.

In fairness, there are Republican governors who are acting like Democrats. In Utah, where COVID-19 has hit lightly, Governor Herbert imposed harsher restrictions than warranted. He was just slapped down by the GOP-run legislature.

Yet, the difference between Democrat and Republican chief executives are obvious: Most Republicans are eager to reopen their states, at least partially, by May 1, in line with President Trump’s guidelines. Pennsylvania Democrat Governor Wolf is pledging to veto Republican legislation to reopen additional businesses. Wolf cites public health as the priority – as if public health, thriving businesses, jobs, and paychecks don’t go hand-in-hand.

Republican candidates need to back growing grassroots movements to reclaim basic rights and open America. Let Democrats be the party of intolerant, imperious government. Republicans need to argue for sensible approaches to dealing with coronavirus outbreaks while championing tens of millions of Americans who want and need to work.

Make 2020 a referendum on that.

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