By Cindy Alia, November 16, 2020
“The urge to save humanity is almost always a false face for the urge to rule it.” ---H.L. Mencken.
A plan by any other name is not liberty! Those who voted to re-elect Jay Inslee are in part responsible for resurecting Proclamation 20-25, which first reared its devastating head with the COVID restrictions Inslee promulgated early in 2020. Will the voters feel remorse when they feel the economic downfall soon to follow? In other words, will you miss your favorite remaining restaurant, hair stylist, coffee shop, or any other independently owned small business? Will their employees miss their paychecks, especially just before our Holiday Season?
Hazarding a guess the re-election of Inslee would come with additional proclamations, lock downs, and policy directives should have been easy given the prolific history of the man's past style of governance. Before election certification ink has dried, or even been written, Inslee seeks to lock Washington's citizens down once again. WHO is the real Turkey?
Was Safe Start better policy than Stay home Stay Healthy? A rose by any other name would still smell as tyrannical, if these orders would have been successful, they would have worked. Yet, Inslee expects the revival of the February 2020 proclamation to serve as the response to the failure of the policy, what is the definition of insanity? "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." But don't fear, this is only until December 14th! By then all will be well, the citizens of the state won't need any further Sunday proclamations, and can go to church free of concern thay while they pray, the governor will proclaim your liberties are his.
Here is the link to the proclamtion
This restriction on your liberties is predicted to devastate more businesses and thus more families. Inslee openly admits this with his plan to provide assistance to those effected. "To help mitigate financial impacts on businesses and their employees, the state will commit $50 million in aid. In the short term, the state is commuting $20 million be dedicated to cash assistance targeted directly to hardest hit industries. Remaining funds will be focused on supporting recovery efforts through business loans. Additional details are forthcoming." Hardly reassuring if one looks at the choice of running a business as opposed to waiting in line to be determined "hardest hit". Will hardest hit allign with "essential"? Mark Harmsworth of Washington Policy Center provides insight into what may be expected as a result of this latest shutdown.
Was it "essential" to receive unemployment benefits resultant of the previous shut-down? Not essential enough for many left without compensation even as late as October. This Washington Policy Center Article states "As of November 12th, there were a total of 429,063 claims made for unemployment benefits, down from its peak in late April and early May of over 1.4 million claims." It can be predicted this experience, even if improved, will now be the new normal.
Ari Hoffman has written an over-view of what has happened, and what some are precicting will happen with this current lock-down.
How many will simply ignore or refuse to comply with the diktats of Inslee? Many have been convinced if they just stay away from one another by six feet, and wear a mask at any given situation, they would become safe and healthy and would be free to operate businesses and lives as was done with the old normal. This has not come to fruition. Abandonoing liberty for a little security as mandated by the state has always failed for those seeking to regain their liberties.
Will those same people convinced of the salvation of government tyranny also believe the government has the authority to determine when and how they may interact with family on Holy days such as Thanksgiving or Christmas? The hammer of the state remains on businesses, can the same hammer be used to accomplish a similarly desired aim or result when applied to families? It is difficult to support a shuttered business, families and long standing religious freedoms have been less complicated to support in our current political climate in Washington state, though all constitutionally protected liberties are equally worthy of defending in the court of the state and of public opinion. It will take a great deal of pursuasion to make that concept a reality, it is time to accomplish to goals of liberty each day in all legal means available to citizens. The alternative, a new normal where liberties are turned off or on by a single man or political party is despised by those in Washington state who believe in the rule of law and the freedoms of life, liberty, and property.
The pursuit of happiness is upon you! Start by calling Jay Inslee at 360-902-4111. Hit 0 to skip the message and reach the operator. You can let his office know what you think about the four week shut down. You can ask him and all your legislators to call a special session, it is time to finally listen to the citizens of this state! Here is a link to the emails of all Washington State Legislators...
Is "compensation" for takings enough? Or should this state return to normal business and social practices, gracefully allowing those who harbor concerns about COVID to self-mask, or self-regulate their own behavior as they individually see fit?
Look at Article 1, especially Section 7, 9, and 11.
Washington State Constitution
PREAMBLE
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution.
ARTICLE I
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
SECTION 1 POLITICAL POWER. All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.
SECTION 2 SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND. The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.
SECTION 3 PERSONAL RIGHTS. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
SECTION 4 RIGHT OF PETITION AND ASSEMBLAGE. The right of petition and of the people peaceably to assemble for the common good shall never be abridged.
SECTION 5 FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right.
SECTION 6 OATHS - MODE OF ADMINISTERING. The mode of administering an oath, or affirmation, shall be such as may be most consistent with and binding upon the conscience of the person to whom such oath, or affirmation, may be administered.
SECTION 7 INVASION OF PRIVATE AFFAIRS OR HOME PROHIBITED. No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law.
SECTION 8 IRREVOCABLE PRIVILEGE, FRANCHISE OR IMMUNITY PROHIBITED. No law granting irrevocably any privilege, franchise or immunity, shall be passed by the legislature.
SECTION 9 RIGHTS OF ACCUSED PERSONS. No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to give evidence against himself, or be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.
SECTION 10 ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. Justice in all cases shall be administered openly, and without unnecessary delay.
SECTION 11 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. Absolute freedom of conscience in all matters of religious sentiment, belief and worship, shall be guaranteed to every individual, and no one shall be molested or disturbed in person or property on account of religion; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state. No public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That this article shall not be so construed as to forbid the employment by the state of a chaplain for such of the state custodial, correctional, and mental institutions, or by a county's or public hospital district's hospital, health care facility, or hospice, as in the discretion of the legislature may seem justified. No religious qualification shall be required for any public office or employment, nor shall any person be incompetent as a witness or juror, in consequence of his opinion on matters of religion, nor be questioned in any court of justice touching his religious belief to affect the weight of his testimony. [AMENDMENT 88, 1993 House Joint Resolution No. 4200, p 3062. Approved November 2, 1993.]
November 16, 2020