New York Mayor Bill de Blasio warns that “synagogues” and “churches” are disobeying his order. His order closes places of worship. He is threatening any non-compliance with permanent closure. But Bill de Blasio does not have this authority.
He cannot permanently close places of worship.
It is extra-constitutional and extra-legal to do so as a punitive measure. Defying his commands, while personally galling is not at this point actionable. De Blasio has the word “mayor” in front of his name, not “sultan” or “king” or “supreme leader.” The First Amendment still exists, even if he pretends otherwise.
Taking it wider: one-world government
This is an example of government officials seizing power that does not belong to them. It’s not only happening in New York City or only in New York State. It is happening across the United States and overseas too.
Over in the UK, police are setting up checkpoints. They are questioning drivers about where they’re going and why. Those deemed to be engaged in “non-essential” travel will receive a fine. Some UK police departments are deploying drones. The drones are in use to track and follow non-essential joggers, hikers, and dog walkers.
All Hail Mayor Lori and the Board of Commissioners, not
The Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, decrees residents may only walk outside for short periods of time. The following is an actual sentence uttered by this person: “Outside is for a brief respite, not for 5Ks.” Mayor Lightfoot has decided what “outside” is “for.” Anyone who uses “outside” for any reason not according to her wishes faces legal penalties.
Howard County, Indiana, the local Board of Commissioners has taken up the power wand. It is their decision that even “essential” businesses are being given too much leeway. Their edict is essential businesses may only sell items the Board of Commissioners deems essential. All jewelry, home decor, toys, games, carpets, rugs, furniture, craft supplies, paint, and electronics must be taped off. Businesses may not sell those items and residents may not purchase them for the foreseeable future.
What does the order have to do with the crisis?
None of this really makes much sense from a practical standpoint. Think about it. A person goes shopping for food. They manage to navigate the grocery aisles without infecting anyone. Also they have not acquired the infection themselves. How much additional danger is really implicit in swinging by the game aisle to grab Monopoly, Scrabble or Risk?
Who’s to say toys and games are non-essential anyway? Have you ever been a parent living with four young kids in quarantine? There’s a strong argument to be made that such activities are far more essential than half of the stuff in the grocery section. Try it for a few weeks and we’ll see if you have a rebuttal.
And when will the local Board of Commissioners start excluding non-essential food items, too? Perhaps the Board of Commissioners will decide there’s no need for chips, soda or candy during quarantine. And they’d be right. Nobody needs those things. But that doesn’t answer the question.
What does that measure or any of the others listed above, reasonable or unreasonable, necessary or unnecessary, have to do with fighting the coronavirus? It doesn’t answer the even more important question: Where do these bureaucrats and politicians derive their authority? They are clearly threatening, punishing, and controlling people in this manner?
Where’s the sunset?
Most people accept that governments do have the power to impose quarantines. But that power is not absolute and it is not a blank check. It does not allow them to issue whatever rules and commands that pop into their heads.
Those like de Blasio, Lightfoot and the people on the Howard County Board of Commissioners appear to be acting according to their fetish for control. They have forgotten they are to be acting out of concern for public health.
What is most worrisome is so many citizens seem to be accepting this state of affairs… without question. Those who question it are liable to be shouted down by the unquestioning. The unquestioning blindly believe the government will relinquish its dictatorial powers once this crisis ends.
History shows them as gullible fools. Governments never give up power once they acquire it. They only seek to normalize it and bide their time until even the questioning get used to it. Bill de Blasio and his ilk are tyrants and we are not calling them on their excesses.