The government already has applied authoritarian measures that restrict our freedoms and are Constitutionally Illegal.
The government has cancelled large events, both private and public. We have a Constitutional Right to get together, but the government says “No”. A quick example, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston was cancelled. The Parade application had been approved and has been going on for years without significant issues. The Government cancels it to “slow the spread” under what authority? Because there’s a law that says the Governor can do it “in an emergency”... but does the Constitution actually give the government this right? No.
We have a Constitution that says we have a Right to worship without interference... but the government has banned masses. Under what authority does the secular government of the USA have the Constitutional Power to demand that a religion cancel masses? It doesn’t.
The government has closed all kinds of private businesses... presumably using these same Emergency Powers; in some cases maybe using Health Ordinances. Yet the Constitution is supposed to protect our right to gather, and a private businesses right to earn a living. The government ignores these rights.
Playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts... these are mostly closed around here. In cases where it’s, possible the local town or city government has locked gates and/or put up signs closing these public spaces. So now I can’t use public play areas that were paid for with my tax dollars? Isn’t this some sort of illegal seizure? (I’m particularly annoyed by the tennis courts... my kids play tennis and many of the local courts are locked. If they live together and hit with each other or my wife how can that possible spread the disease to others??? Even if I let my daughter hit with her friend, they’re 78Ft apart and barely touch the ball. It’s silly!)
In some states Police and/or National Guard are pulling over drivers from other states (cars with plates from other states). They are collecting information about where these people are traveling and staying. Is it legal for the government to demand to know where I’m going? I don’t believe you legally need to provide this information to the government... but try telling that to the State Trooper who’s got you pulled over, see what happens.
These travelers, and in some cases just regular residents, are being told to ”self quarantine” or “stay home”. Can the government legally tell me to stay home? There are some laws that give the Federal Government this power but they are very limited in scope and supposed to be used for specific people who have been identified as carriers of specific viruses.
Most of these powers are based on ”Emergency” laws that have been written by lawmakers... but these laws are contrary to the Rights we hold dear in the Constitution.
What’s next? Do they start using our phones to track us like the Chinese are doing? Tracking people to verify if they are complying with “Stay at Home” or other “Quarantine” type orders.
... again... please don’t mistake me... I believe most lawmakers and government leaders are implementing these policies because they think it will save lives. I also believe that in fact institution of these policies will indeed save lives.
I just fear the long term consequences. In the past the government is generally slow to give up powers once it has used them... if it ever gives back the powers. So will the government decide it wants to keep some of the powers its’ implementing now? Maybe...
Just look at the Federal Income Tax...
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-inc ... unt-2015-2“Income taxes were initially a temporary provision. Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1861, which included a tax on personal income to help pay for the hefty expenses of the Civil War. Without proper enforcement, however, it raised little money. In turn, the Internal Revenue Act of 1862 created the Internal Revenue Service to solve that problem.”
Funny... I guess the word “temporary” means something different to the government.
“The new law levied a 3% tax on individual incomes between $600 and $10,000 (between about $14,000 and $230,000 today) and 5% on greater than that. The act reportedly produced about $55 million in government revenue.”
3% to 5%... now it’s 10%-37%
“The Supreme Court had ruled in 1895 that the income tax violated Article I of the Constitution, so the amendment was necessary to empower the federal government to impose the income tax.”
“The 16th Amendment, which established an official, federal income tax, was ratified on Feb. 3 and went into effect on Feb. 25 1913.”
Obviously the Federal Government REALLY REALLY wanted a Federal Income Tax and was determine to keep this power, one way or another.
What powers will they REALLY want to keep after this crisis? They won’t want to keep businesses shuttered, as that hurts their pocketbooks too, so those will open quick. Parks are no problem/threat... so those will come back. Religious Institutions more often than not work in conjunction with the Government, so those will be back quick. What about this power to track our movements? That seems like a power the Government may want to keep... “just in case theirs another outbreak” they’ll say... but really? Honestly they already can track us illegally... but it’d be nice for the legal system if they could make it this legal, wouldn’t it?
We ready accept crazy screening at airports and the new “Real ID” to travel via air INSIDE the US... so what’s a little more monitor gonna hurt?
(Forgive any typo’s... the iPad keyboard is hard with my fat fingers.)
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2020 11:03 am
