America's Loss of Faith in Itself: Failing Confidence in Our Institutions

We Americans are facing a severe crisis. Some might rightly call it a crisis of trust. We no longer trust our social institutions, and that's a serious problem. Most governments likes ours exist solely by the consent of those governed.  Well, what happens when citizens withdraw that consent? That's not  meant to be rhetorical. That's where we are now as a country.

In 2022, Gallup published a poll about Americans confidence in our top 16 most important social pillars. Of those, 11 were total failures. Of the five which were positive, only the U.S. military and small business had a solid approval rating. The other three were only marginally positive.

Gallup's most recent approval poll from July 2024 shows that our trust in government and our institutions have gotten worse. A 2023 Ipsos report indicated that on average only 30% of Americans said we could trust each other.  So, given this is a presidential election years, lets' start with confidence in the presidency.

When questioned about their confidence in the role of the presidency, 26% of respondents said they had " a lot" or "great deal" of trust in the presidency. Compared that to 69% who said they had little or no confidence. 4% said they had absolutely no trust in the presidency at all. In 2013, while Donald Trump was President, 36% said they had a great deal or a lot of trust in the office. The Nixon Presidency went from a high of 71% to 24% post Watergate. Ronald Reagan left office with a approval rating of 63%. Bill Clinton's was 66% despite his impeachment.

Trust in Congress has historically remained low, yet somehow it magically manages to pull off a 95% reelection percentage. For the period of June 3 - 23, 2024, Congress had a 9% approval rating according to the Gallup poll. 4% said they trusted Congress a "great deal" while 5% said "a lot". But, 88% said they had no or little trust in Congress.

Just these two sets of numbers alone would have most politicians in other nations booking flights out to non-extradition nations, and yet here in America, many are campaigning for reelection based on the marvelous job they've been doing. How can we explain this?

So, if Congress and the President can't get the job done, who can? How about the third branch of government, the legal system? If we look at the justice system, 76% of respondents would find it guilty of not serving the people. 3% rejected it completely. A mere 11% was happy with how things are going.

The Supreme Court was once held in high esteem and could always be expected to be one of the few institutions with a positive approval rating. But ever since its 2010 "Citizens United" debacle, faith in the high court has taken a nose dive. Just 30% approved of the job being done by the Chief Justices. 66% would dismiss the lot of them. 3% had nothing but contempt for the nation's top court. Is it any wonder that America is labeled a "flawed democracy" and on the brink of being labeled a "failed democracy"?

What about the news media? Print media held themselves out to be the sole arbiters of truth and morality for over a hundred years.  Today, 96+% of all media is owned by just five corporations. Can we still trust them to provide fair and balanced reporting? Beginning with television, 12% say they have a "great amount" or "a lot" of confidence in network news while 83% lack any confidence in what we're told. Another 5% would cancel the lot of them. 

The overwhelming majority of Americans don't believe we're getting "non-partisan" or "fair and balance" reporting from any national networks. As for print media, it had a 18% approval rating. Americans, it seems, have come to expect print media (newspapers, magazines, etc) to publish biased or slanted stories. 79% of respondents agreed.

The survey didn't mention social media sites such as "X" (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Gab, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.  However, another survey showed 25% trusted social media. 42% had confidence in cable news, and 38% in podcasters. Who did they trust most? 56% said their local broadcasters.

A Pew poll reported that among those under 30 (Gen X) had a 50% approval rating of social media sites when it came to getting their news. It was 36% for those ages 30 to 49 (Millennials) and from 50 to 64, the approval rating was 25% and 20% for everyone 65 and older.

Next are those who protect us---law enforcement and the military. America has boasted having the best equipped, best trained, best fed, and best prepared military in the world. Ever since 1945, we have taken on the (mostly self appointed) role of the world's policeman. However, following a exhaustive 20 year war in Afghanistan, which ended where it started, the Pentagon announced that we are currently not militarily capable of fighting a sustained multi-front conflict.

Our planes, ships, tanks, and equipment are in desperate need of total overhaul or replacement. We've depleted our stockpile of spare parts  and other supplies, and all the while, men and women are getting out at a higher rate than average. But, despite our military loss, how did the poll indicate Americans felt about our men and women in uniform? Despite a 2.7% attrition rate, the 2024 Gallup poll showed that most American's still had the back of our military personnel. 61% had a positive opinion of our Armed Forces compared to 39% who didn't.

As an aside, a  Rand study reported that 54.4% of parents would discourage their children from joining the military as enlisted (non-commission). On the other hand, 75% of parent would encourage them to join, but only as an officer. Having been there, done that, I have to agree. Officer is the only way to go. They have a better choice of duty stations, pay, housing, retirement, and they are  treated much better.

When it came to law enforcement, 51% said they trusted the local and state men and women in blue. However,  a sizeable number---48%---puts little or no trust in them. 58% reported little or no trust in the FBI. 43% felt the same way about the Secret Service (the poll was taken prior to the attempted Trump assassination, so it's likely those numbers would be lower). Just 46% had any confidence in the CIA. 42% felt the same way about the Department of Homeland Security. 33% trusted the Justice Department.

Our currency is backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. Government, which, if so, should give every American serious reason to pause. We have the biggest debt of any nation. Congress continually raises the "debt ceiling" so we can keep the government going. We routinely borrow billions from foreign countries (including China) just to keep our nation afloat and make the interest payments on that debt. Imagine having to borrow money just to pay the interest on your mortgage or credit card debt! How long do you think you could keep that up before ending up in bankruptcy court?

So, let's look at the Federal Reserve System, which  manages and regulates the nation's money supply. With a approval rating is mere 36%, most disapprove of how its job performance. 62% of Americans lack faith in the FRS. Next comes the banks. It should come as no surprised that 72% expressed little or no confidence in them.

Big Business, often portrayed as ruthless and immoral (not to mention puppet master of Washington) is deeply disliked by most Americans---83% to be exact. The Big Tech companies like Microsoft or Apple, have an approval rating of only 27%. Small businesses (the "Mom and Pop's" ) are liked by 64% of consumers (which is why Big Business spends billion to portray themselves as being community and people oriented). After peaking in the 1950's, only 27% now approve of unions.

Another key institution is healthcare. Globally, the U.S. healthcare system is last among the top seven industrial nations. It ranks highest among the top industrial nations and 54th overall in infant mortality rates, 60th in life expectancy (behind Estonia and Saudi Arabia), highest treatment cost, fewest hospital beds, and 22nd in quality of life.  Our healthcare system's emphasis is on repeat  treatment instead of prevention.  Could the problem be putting profits over patients?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a disapproval rating of 58% following their (mis)handling of COVID-19. Given the above, it shouldn't surprise you to learn that our healthcare system as a whole has an approval rating of just 36% while 64% disapprove.

Our currency boldly proclaims  "In God We Trust". So what about religious institutions? Surely we can safely put our trust in religion...can't we? Well, apparently not so much. According to the Gallup Poll, organized religion has a approval rating of only 32%. 67% of respondents placed little or no faith in doctrinaire religion. In the 1950's, according to a University of Southern California report, 57% of households belonged to some religious institution. By 1960 it rose to a high of  63.3%. Why?

America had come through two wars---WWII and Korea. The economy was booming. Suburbs were springing up everywhere. nearly everyone had a car and a nationwide highway system to drive them on.  We had a functional government where both sides tried to meet in the middle. There was a new sense of optimism to go along with our patriotism. Everybody liked Ike. But somewhere in the late 1970's and early 80's, it all began to fade.

Rev. Jerry Falwell's "Moral Majority" (which was neither) was became viewed as a religious form of McCarthyism; a stick to measure others by. It demanded conformity as it inserted its values into government and society. Televangelists ("pay to pray" preachers) like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Ted Haggard, Oral Roberts, and Falwell, watched by 85% of religious households at one point, found themselves immersed in scandal amid a lifestyle of obscene wealth.

There were widespread reports of child molestation by Catholic priests (and the Church's efforts to intimidate victims and hide the perpetrators), pedophilia, hiring prostitutes, sex trafficking, and tax evasion as well as their positions on abortion, birth control, LGBQT acceptance, single mothers, support of illegal immigration, musical lyrics, and more. America changed as organized religions failed to adapt.  

A 2020 Pew Poll revealed that while church attendance was down considerably, 64% of Americans still self-identified as Christian. Given the current trend, its predicted that by 2030, that number will be 46% or less and 35% by 2070. Americans are leaving mainstream (mostly fundamentalist and conservative churches) at a rate of 10% to 15% annually. Many are becoming agnostic, atheist, or converting to Buddhism, Humanism, Hinduism, or to spirituality (Wicca, pantheism, paganism, etc). What's the fastest growing  religion in America? Islam. Non-doctrinaire? Secularism (aka "none").

Lastly, education. Our educational system is ranked 12th among 81 industrialized nations. We scored in the bottom half globally in math (the top five were all Asian countries). In science, we ranked 16th out of 81 countries,, placing us in the second tier. The top five? All Asian again.

The 2024 Gallup Poll showed our public school system had a approval rating of 29%. However, 70% of those surveyed said our public schools were failing. We had kids graduating high school who can't read at a 12 grade level (many have an 8th grade reading or comprehension ability). In math and the sciences, it's just as bad. History, English (including proper grammar) face a similar problem. In literacy, we rank 36th globally (note that poverty levels are closely tied to literacy rates).  

Higher education doesn't fair much better. To many colleges depend on quotas to fill their enrollment criteria rather than the best performing academically.  Many incoming Freshmen aren't prepared for college. As a result, they are usually required to take remedial classes. just to get started.

Bear in mind too that college isn't for everyone and not every job should requires a four year degree. The best alternative? Trade school. Tuition is much less. There is a strong job demand (many have jobs before graduating), it pays well, and the trades offer a wide range of opportunities.

A lot of students go for whatever major is easiest or trendy, This usually translates into degrees with little demand (such as gender or race based studies, art history, Humanities, Mass Communication, Anthropology, or Sports Health or Administration). These are the students who typically end up with the most debt and least likely able to find a job or pay off their academic debt.

So, there you have it. We have lost confidence in overwhelming majority of our foundational institutions; a trend which has been accelerating for years.  For some of these institutions, it may be possible to earn back some of that trust over time, but for others, perhaps the majority, that confidence appears gone forever, and with them an allegiance to our nation's future.

 

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U.S. Confidence in Institutions Mostly Flat, but Police Up

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User trust in social platforms is falling, according to ournew study.

U.S. adults under 30 now trust information social mediaalmost as much as from national news outlets

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U.S. Ranks Last Among Seven Countries on Health System PerformanceMeasures

30% of adults say most people can be trusted

 

The 'Conspiracy Theorists' Were Right About Covid-19? The Origin of the Pandemic

 

Remember when Covid-19 pandemic first made its mysterious appearance?  Do you recall all the different state and federal government mandates ranging from self-quarantining, mandatory masks, maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet, or the defacto looting of stores of their toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and practically anything that could be consumed (and that doesn't even include the price gouging)? It must be pointed out that there were no natural shortages of these items. It was hoarding motivated by greed which kept products off the shelves and drive up prices. 

Some of us found a little smug satisfaction and sardonic amusement at the self-proclaimed "preppers" who were caught off guard materially and mentally for the ensuing chaos just like the rest of us. Nevertheless, many of us promised ourselves then and there that we would never be caught short like that ever again.

Then came the government's body count as government officials would hold afternoon press conferences to update the public with the latest death counts due to Covid, or the number of individuals officially diagnosed with Covid,  often simultaneously showing images of bodies being stored in outdoor cooling units until they could be properly handled by a funeral home, hospital personnel running around in hazmat suits, and horror stories about ventilator shortages. It was a grim display aimed at showing us the seriousness in which the government wanted us to take the situation.

I clearly remember representatives from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explaining to us how the virus mysteriously exploded on the world from a bowel of Chinese "bat soup" consumed by some unassuming tourist in Wuhan China, wherever that was.  Instinctively, I knew something wasn't quite right with that story. Coronaviruses rarely jump from animals to humans as we've observed from the recent past with other viruses.

I also vividly recall the Centers for Disease Control announcing that not only has a vaccine been produced, but there were actually a number of vaccines available, and not just that, but how quickly they were green lighted for human inoculation.  Typically it takes years of exhaustive research before any vaccine was ready for human trials, but here we were in just a matter of a couple months and we just don't have a single vaccine, but at least four worldwide!

Thousands lined up to get the "jab" as it was called in the hopes of staving off the deadly virus. Meanwhile, it was mandatory that we continue to wear our masks, regularly use our hand sanitizer, and of course, maintain proper "social distancing". After receiving the vaccine, we were encouraged by government and health officials to carry our vaccination cards  and be prepared to show them as proof of our compliance.

For some reason, that just seemed so "Nazi" to me.  It was so sterile and regulated. It was reminiscent of the old Nazi Era "Ihre Papiere bitte" ("your papers please") which would be uttered by the dreaded Gestapo in their sinister chic black leather coats and matching black fedoras to unsuspecting passersbyers on the streets of Berlin, Paris, or Prague.  

With so many vaccines suddenly available, it seemed to me that there was either an army of seriously brilliant "Doctor Strange"  type of scientists doing nonstop viral research using supercomputers or there was already a vaccine prototype worked up.  If that were the case, then there had to be a biochemical "fingerprint" of the virus available to study. But for that to happen, it meant that "someone" already knew what the deadly Covid virus looked liked at a molecular level , and that meant the mysterious "bat soup" virus had to be man made.

Apparently though I wasn't the only one who reached that conclusion! Quite a few people around the world who were much more familiar with the topic of virology than me came to the same conclusion. However, it wasn't long before the media started labeling these individuals "conspiracy theorists" or worse, "conspiracy nuts" for questioning the official narrative despite having some seriously impressive credentials. Others soon joined in to question the government's explanation of events in a cascading loss of official credibility.  To many things simply didn't add up whether Dr. Fauci or anyone else said otherwise.

A growing number of people kept pointing out the similarity of Covid was to the flu or the fact that we seemed to be missing our normal "flu season". Many people started treating the Covid virus like the flu, albeit  a more serious one for those with health preconditions which affected their immune system. Oddly, many of those people seemed to do just fine thank you.  How could that be?

Meanwhile, in what had the earmarks of an orchestrated response, many of those who refused to get the shots, wear masks and so forth were being ridiculed, ostracized, and even threatened with violence. Some employers refused to allow individuals to come back to work while several large restaurant chains, banks, and retail stores denied service to anyone without a vaccination card or mask.  

Although Covid has largely disappeared from the headlines and officials have quietly suspended their nightly death toll report, the issue of Covid's origin and the government's response still continues.  Many of the "conspiracy nuts" looked to the supposedly secret Chinese medical research center in Wuhan Province as ground zero for the virus leakage, which many claimed was intentional.

Others decided to follow the money which appeared to show billions in U.S. funds being routed to Chinese research facilities for years  from U.S. government agencies, including the CDC while it was under Fauci's watch. Was that true? Why would the CDC and other agencies work with Chinese on weaponizing the flu virus? A number of individuals was determined to find out, especially Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) launched a full on assault  into the official records (which many of us don't have access to). He  conducted a series of government hearings in ways that only a U.S. senator could do to get at the truth, which included subpoenaing key individuals and their records. While it's taken a number of years, it appears that many of the "conspiracy nuts" were largely right after all.

Dr. Paul reported his findings in a speech he delivered on November 1, 2023 at the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship on Hillsdale's Washington D.C. campus entitled "Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up". The speech was also published in a edited version in Hillsdale's "Imprimis" newsletter (December 2023 Volume 52 Number 12).

I've provided a link Dr. Paul's speech below. I strongly recommend that you read it, especially if you lost a friend, a family member, or if  you or someone you were acquainted with had Covid. This also goes to anyone who was laid off, lost their job or forced to close their business due to Covid-19 enforced mandates. So, what, if anything, have learned from the pandemic?

Hopefully we've learned that there was quite a bit of truth uncovered by those individuals who were disparagingly  referred to as "conspiracy nuts", "troublemaker" or much worse. Some of what they confirmed ranged from the likely origin of the virus from a Chinese military lab in Wuhan Province, the striking resemblance of Covid to the flu virus,  the virus being man made or it  having a possible weaponized application, which would be illegal under the UN's Biological Weapons Convention, and a great deal of "under-the-table" funding by the U.S. government.

I also want to point out a serious object lesson we should have learned as we delve further into an expanding AI, more sophisticated facial recognition software, data mining,  supercomputers, human like robots and their self-awareness, declining privacy, and a growing surveillance state under the control of elite plutocrats, plus the strong likelihood of more enhanced viruses or diseases.

The Covid-19 pandemic (or scare if you prefer) taught us that ordinary people of all walks of life can easily be coerced into "self-isolating" with little effort. All that's required is a little manufactured fear generated by the government and cast to the winds by a willing media.  We learned how individuals can be intimidated into wearing a nearly ineffective mask with the same ease as making group of individuals don yellow felt Stars of David to their clothes.

We should have learned that it's just as easy to persuade people to get a injection of some unknown substance into the arm as it was to demand a people to assemble in the middle of a town square and board cattle cars for a destination unknown.

People are quite pliable and gullible. We tend to react as a herd animal, little different from sheep, cows, or pigs. Most of us are afraid to step very far out of line for fear of being singled out or losing the perceived protection of the herd. The conspiracy theorists (or "nuts") were the ones who spoke out the loudest. They tried to rouse the herd into looking up. They were the voices in the wilderness that the Status Quo tried to silence.

There's no doubt that Covid-19 was a "live fire" exercise on a global scale. Real people died. Many of the immune compromised were hospitalized. Was this intended to "thin the herd" or merely to see how we would react despite our anti-government rhetoric? Well, the masses did dutifully obeyed. They covered their faces.  They self-incarcerate. Those who didn't may have inadvertently self-identified as most likely to challenge authority next time and bear monitoring. 

But perhaps what mattered the most to the ruling elites in this little exercise  was just how easily people the world over, regardless of religion, culture, or politics could be made to willingly obey with very little effort.  All that's required is a little fear and some gentle, but firm guidance from sympathetic sounding  authority figures. I truly hope you all will check out Dr. Paul's link below.

 

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Lessons From the Great Covid Cover-Up by U.S. Senator Dr. Rand Paul (R-KY).

A 'Shot' in the Dark: To Vaccinate or Not

Anyone who knows me understands that I am a independent thinker. I have absolutely zero tolerance for dogma of any sort. So, it's not surprising that the cockles of my heart were downright giddy when I read about the number of teachers, doctors, nurses, truck drivers, air traffic controllers, pilots, and all the rest who chose to go home than submit to a defacto mandate from government and business to get a COVID vaccination. 

Now, some of you must be stunned or even flabbergasted to hear that. After all, look at the burden its placing on those who decided to comply and return to work. Would it surprise you to know that I can agree?  There is an inordinate burden being placed on those who opted for the shot and went back to work. For many, not only are they doing their own job, they're also being forced to pick up the slack for those who decided to opt out.

The result has been unstocked shelves, unfilled prescriptions, an absence of replacement parts, longer waits in lines, fewer people to answer the phone at businesses, unavailable or prolonged appointments, not to mention longer work hours for some, drive through only, and even the consolidation of stores, leaving many people having to travel a little further to find an open location (made worse by the higher gas prices, which have recently increased for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which includes fewer people available to unload the tankers sitting outside of  harbors or truckers willing to transport it).

On top of the that, we seem to have fewer people willing to work. It seems that there are "help wanted" signs practically everywhere. I almost feel sorry for those individuals standing on corners with their little cardboard signs begging for money. Who wants to handout "spare change" when now is the best time ever for them to get a job and get their lives back together?

Interestingly, there are about 9.2 million job openings at present, and yet unemployment is at record highs with some 8 million unemployed Americans, and that doesn't include the millions who are underemployed, working outside of the industry they want, or those who either are working part-time and want a full time job or visa versa. What's going on here?

The downturn in employed individuals appeared to have begun with the onset of COVID-19 when the government all but shut down the economy, urging only "essential" workers to report to their jobs and asking the rest of us to stay home. Schools and universities were closed, as were daycare facilities, and most stores in general. Only a small handful of services were open, including many doctor's offices. Dentist office were closed, as were courts (trials were postponed) while hospitals, gas stations, grocery stores, and pharmacies remained open.

To offset the sudden loss of income, unemployment benefits were extended and ordinary households were issued supplemental income checks by the government to help get them through. Meanwhile, insanity seemed to run amuck as people started hoarding paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, milk, butter, and other food staples which created panic and artificial shortage.

At the same time, we were encouraged to wear nose and mouth coverings, which many thought of as some sort of shroud akin to the ones used during the Black Plague. Nevertheless, this "shroud" became our admission pass should we want to go anywhere, be it to the store, doctor's office, or just about anywhere else that was open. For a few enterprising Americans, making and selling masks became a cottage industry. It wasn't long before other more established businesses got in on the act with "extra layers", filters, while some were even copper enhanced!

Simultaneously, with all the "peaceful protests", resulting in looting, arson, destruction of property, and vandalism, people went on a buying spree of ammo and guns of all types (not to mention the government's quiet buying spree of ammo). It seemed like chaos was everywhere, and then, just like magic, came Big Pharma and Washington to rescue with their hastily produced (and even hastier approved) vaccines.

Americans, in droves, lined up to get an injection of the magic elixir. Meanwhile, the government and corporate owned media went on a full court media press to encourage everyone to step up and get the shot. It seems like we were being told from every corner and from nearly every expert and pseudo-expert (not to mention a few quacks) to get vaccinated. 

Gradually, the lines for the vaccines got smaller, more stores opened, and most of the artificial shortages started to become a thing of the past. At the same time, fewer and fewer people wore their "shrouds". However, in its place, a new "passport" came into being---your proof of vaccine card.

Many businesses and government agencies (including courts) now required proof of your compliance, which reminded many Americans of the "Kennkarte" (personal ID card) demanded of German citizens and those in occupied countries by the nefarious Gestapo of Nazi Germany (Soviet citizens, as well as those in Warsaw Pact nations carried a similar ID card post WWII). 

For the majority of Americans, having to show proof of their compliance hit them wrong, particularly since at the same time, federal and state governments were considering mandates to force individuals to comply. There was never anything from the government or health officials which dictated the mandatory vaccination of all citizens. It was left up to each of us to be vaccinated or not, although the government and others (including employers) were strongly encouraging it, which brings us full circle.

A large percentage of Americans---about 45%--- have elected not to get the anti-COVID shot for various reasons as of July 2021. They believe that COVID is nothing more than variant of the flu; perhaps artificially enhanced to be more virulent, but nothing more than our own immunity couldn't handle (assuming we didn't have any illnesses which suppressed our immune system). 

These individuals believed that collectively, a "herd immunity" would be formed which would all but eliminate COVID and change it into little more than a nuisance, albeit a potentially serious one. They also encouraged those with impaired immune systems to get the vaccination(s) as a way to protect themselves. This notion of "herd immunity", originally encouraged at the initial outbreak of COVID, was now being downplayed by the government and some health officials.

The result has been a unintentional standoff between those who support free choice (to vaccinate or not) and validity of individual and herd immunity versus the government's (and other's) insistence that the only true protection is immunization by vaccine.  Businesses which had required proof of vaccination of their employees (or face sanctions up to and including termination) has seen the majority of their employees not blink at this COVID standoff and take the latter option, whatever that happens to be.

The same has applied in several other occupations including air traffic controllers, pilots and crew, firefighters, nurses, doctors, and hospital employees, truck drivers, warehouse workers, store employees, and even restaurants to name just a few.

Police officers and others in law enforcement also drew a line in the proverbial stand. Already facing massive shortages as a result of early retirements, resignations, and lack of available recruits thanks to last year's anti-law enforcement protests and demands to defund police departments, now officers are rejecting demands by the state to get vaccinated (this also applied to other first responders).

Even the military is seeing a downturn in retention and recruitment, amid the growing threat of China and possible terrorists attacks now that the Taliban is back in charge of Afghanistan and ISIS has returned (to paraphrase Mark Twain's famous quote, "talk of their demise has been greatly over exaggerated"), as military personal, who are inoculated against practically everything you can imagine, are refusing the COVID shots.

So, what does this mean to you and me? In short, we are facing what will surely be the first of a standoff between the Status Quo and its supporters over what constitutes "public health" and those that are ardent defenders of free choice; individuals who believe they have the right to decide whether to get vaccinated or not (the irony of "my body my choice" isn't lost on anyone).

As a result, these individuals have elected to risk financial ruin and who knows what else by refusing to get vaccinated. Unemployment, if covered, is only a short term fix. At some point, they will have to go back to work. Their only hope at this point is that given the millions of job openings, they can find a job that pays as well or better and doesn't require vaccination.

Meanwhile, employers who do require vaccinated employees will have to decide to stand by their guns and suffer it through while encouraging their employees to endure the extra hours. Most likely this will prove to be a boon to the employees. With a labor shortage of this scale, now is the time to seek higher pay, better benefits, promotions, and so forth. Employers can do little but go along, though some may go belly up. Many are already offering sign on bonuses, higher hourly wages, and special bonuses. 

COVID has already morphed once since the introduction of the vaccines (the "Delta" variant), and there's the possibility that it will continue to morph before it can finally be controlled. Given the uncertainty of the COVID's origin (despite strong suspensions), there is the likelihood other viruses will pop up. If so, then what? Will we go through this all over again? What about the concerns of the vaccines themselves?

Numerous doctors, nurses, immunologists, and others in the healthcare have come out against the vaccines, equating them to the snake oil sold by hucksters of past generations. They can be found all over social media pontificating their opinions. There are even claims that the vaccines contain chemicals which can destroy or at the very least, impair our own immune systems or having magnetic ingredients which enable the government (or corporations) to track our every movement. Some claim that the vaccines will help depopulate an overcrowded earth.

Personally, I can understand the need for the vaccinations, especially when it comes to protecting those with impaired immune systems. At the same time, each individual has a natural right to decide for themselves what to do with or to their own body. If I chose to vaccinate, that's my choice and not anyone else's, especially not the government's and certainly not any business.

Others will argue that a employer has a legal duty to provide a safe working environment, and they are right. Employers do have a legal right to protect their workers. That's the purpose of OSHEA. Schools have an obligation to keep students safe as well. But, do they have a right (or legal obligation) to demand that everyone shows proof of vaccination?

 When I was growing up in Florida back in the 1960's, everyone had to be vaccinated. I assume that's still the case. This is just one more vaccination to add to the list isn't it? But, if the majority are vaccinated, they are presumed "protected". So, what if I opt out? What if I was already exposed? My body will create its own natural antibodies to protect me. If I am willing to accept that risk, what's the problem?

As to the vaccines being used as a tracking device, why? We are already a surveillance state. Our movements, purchases, phone calls, computer and Smartphone use, and so forth are already monitored and recorded. They've got satellites which can literally peer over our shoulders and see what we're reading. They don't need a vaccine. As for the vaccine's contents, I have no idea. Biology was never my strong suit. I specialized in economics and the social sciences. Nevertheless, while I trust science, I trust my body's natural immune system more. It's time society did likewise and got people back to work. 

 

Help Wanted: Why the U.S. Has Millions of Unfilled Jobs

 

Unvaccinated and misunderstood? Let's Talk

Why COVID-19 Vaccines Should Not Be Required For AllAmericans

By The Numbers: Who's Refusing COVID Vaccinations---And Why

45% of Unvaccinated Americans Say they Will Definitely Not Get the Vaccine

 

 

 

 

Our Healthcare Rubicon: To Get Vaccinated or Not

We seem to have reached a line in the sand; a national healthcare "Rubicon" if you will.  Since the onset of the COVID-19 virus and the development of vaccines, there has been those who've declined, for one reason or another, to get vaccinated, especially with a average recovery rate of between 97% and 99.75%. That's fine. It's their choice. We are, after all, ultimately responsible for our own health, be it good or bad.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals routinely include a "DSR" (do not resituate) as part of their Living Will. By the same token, tens of thousands of people refuse to accept blood transfusions or other medical treatment as part of their religious or philosophical beliefs. At the same time, countless others routinely decline to get a flu, tetanus, hepatitis, or shingles vaccination.

Our concept of individual sovereignty as defined by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, not to mention the precepts of Western democracy itself, gives us a "God-given" right to make decisions for ourselves. 

As bad as the swine or chicken flu was, or given the deadly seriousness of the AIDs epidemic, there was no massive call for vaccinations or treatment. It was left up to the individual. Why is the government all but pounding on our doors, needles in hand, prepared to wrestle us to the ground if need be and force us to get vaccinated?

The CDC recently concluded a study of around 400 Kentucky patients and reported that "herd immunity" alone is not effective enough by itself (yet it was effective with other viruses). Therefore, regardless of one's health, age, or other risk factors, vaccinations should be made mandatory.

I remember as a child that when some kid came down with mumps, measles, chicken pox or whatever, the parents would get all the kids together so that everyone got exposed and got over it together. This was "herd immunity" and it's been used everywhere. It's the idea that eventually enough people would become exposed causing a general group immunity to a particular virus.

Those opposed to the vaccinations believe the same thing applies to COVID-19; that if exposed, a individual immunity would develop, and if enough people are exposed, then a group or herd immunity would develop. At the same time, they accept that there are those who are at a higher risk, and should get vaccinated, which would either artificially create a immunity to the virus, or at the very least, reduce the severity of the virus.

This was the approach used with the deadly 1919 "Spanish Flu" which killed about 676,000 Americans and about 500 million worldwide. About 42,770,00 Americans have reportedly died of COVID and roughly 5 million worldwide. However, based on the latest study by the CDC, that's not how they see it.

To date, we've seen some public and private businesses, hospitals, and healthcare associations require that their employees either get vaccinated or face possible sanctions, up to and including termination. Given the current situation we're facing in the business sector, and especially in healthcare, that could leave us critically shorthanded. What should we do?

If you're dealing with "at risk" individuals on a regular basis, such as the elderly or those with suppressed immune systems, wouldn't you want to go that extra step to insure they are protected as best as possible? Of course, to do that, it might mean getting that vaccination or take that pill even though you don't want to for whatever reason, but need to do in order to protect those you choose to in your chosen profession. This doesn't just include those in healthcare, including working in nursing homes and convalescent centers, but also EMS, firefighters, and police. 

The "Rubicon" I mentioned at the outset, isn't so much about whether you should or shouldn't get the vaccinations, but rather, do you have a moral obligation to do so? The argument today seems to be centered on whether they government (or your employer) has a "right" to order you to get the vaccination; that is, impede on your individual sovereignty.  

As with so many things these days, it's not all black and white. On the one hand, does the government have a right to force you to get an injection? You, as a human being, have the right to do with your body as you see fit so long as no one else is harmed or negatively affected or do you?

Shouldn't the government just advise you? They can (and should) provide you with the unvarnished facts of the situation, including the pros and cons of getting or not getting this or that vaccination (which, thus far, they've done a pretty poor job of doing) and then step back and allow you---the sovereign individual---to make your own decision and accept whatever consequences may result.

 Well, not exactly. There are two precedents to consider.  In 1905, the US Supreme Court ruled that a state government could force an individual to receive a vaccination in the event of a national emergency or be fined (Jacobson vs. Massachusetts).  In a second decision, the Supreme Court ruled in 1922 (Zucht vs. King) what unvaccinated students could be excluded from both public or private schools. 

However, both decisions were very narrowly defined and related to specific applications. Given the powers still inherent to the states, they can prohibit mandates to vaccinations.  As of August, 14 States have enacted legislation which prohibited mandatory vaccinations by employers, schools, or which required so-called "vaccination passports".  Federally, it's a bit different.

Currently, there are no specific federal laws which require federal employees or contractors to be vaccinated, nor are there any laws which can require citizens in general to be vaccinated, with a few exceptions such as immigrants seeking permanent residency, and the military, but should that include prisoners? Exemptions for medical or religious reasons are permitted as covered under the 1964 Title VII Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (regular testing and mandatory masks can, however, still be required).

So, that means the states are out of the proverbial woods and can do as they want right? Well, again, not exactly. The federal government still has one ace up its sleeve. While the federal government doesn't (as of yet) have the legal authority to require vaccination mandates, which currently rests with the states, under Constitution's "Spending Clause", that could change.

The Spending Clause basically controls the money that states use to underwrite or supplement various programs. It's been suggested that Congress use the Spending Clause to "urge" states to enact some form of mandate on their own. Given that the majority of states couldn't financially survive without federal money, that's a pretty good incentive, while making it look like Washington's hands are clean.

What about employers? Can they mandate employees get vaccinated?  When it comes to corporations, things get a bit more complicated. The first thing we have to remember is that corporations are not democracies. The "Bill of Rights" doesn't apply there. Secondly, there's no single clear cut policy. Some are requiring all employees to be vaccinated, while others are requiring either proof of vaccination or to submit to weekly testing and even requiring masks.  

However, most employers, especially in industries with a current shortage of employees, are taking a "wait and see" attitude, partly to avoid any possible legal action by employees or unions, and to avoid a further loss of workers.

According, some employers are taking the "blanket approach" and requiring all employees, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks while others are leaving it up to the employees. Either way, the employer must ensure that they are compliant with all state and federal laws (most notably Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act). Thus, the majority of employers are simply mirroring whatever the federal government does at present.

So, where does this leave us? For the average employer, it's mostly a matter of "monkey see monkey do" and mimic the federal government. For others, especially in healthcare, law enforcement and firefighting, vaccination is either strongly being encouraged or mandatory. As for the average person, states and local governments are taking a two prong approach.

The CDC is going all out to encourage citizens to get vaccinated, especially if they're high risk. Secondly, while not making masks mandatory, they are strongly urging mask usage, even if the individual was previously vaccinated in some instances. At the same time, while they are informing citizens of the dangers of exposure, they are leaving the final choice (and consequences) to the individual.

America is a unique country. Individually is as much a "national trait" as taking tea time or afternoon beer is to the English and Germans. Americans, in general, also have never trusted the government. In fact, this is a country born out of that distrust. Our trust of Congress, as well as the presidency and judicial system, along with local government, are at dismal levels, which doesn't help the situation. We don't even trust school systems, the news media, or even religious institutions anymore.

In the end, Americans will respond as we always have. Governments can make recommendations, or try to bully or scare us. They can try to circumvent existing laws by making it difficult on us (such as masks or weekly testing), but we will ultimately do what we want. Some believe that "herd immunity" will eventually save us while others believe that it's only through compulsory mass inoculation that we'll survive.

Personally, I believe it's largely an individual choice. Unless you're around those with compromised immune systems, the option of vaccination or no vaccination should be yours. By the same token, you and you alone are solely responsible for the consequences. There are folks who thought they had good immune systems and ended up in the hospital on a respirator...or the morgue.  Others, however, barely got a sniffle.

 Nevertheless, I don't believe that our right to chose, as "American" as that is, should supersede putting someone else at risk. We can be as individualistic as we like, but we don't have the right to put someone else's life at risk.  I believe that our humanity to others must come first.

So, you play your cards. You place your bets, and you take your chances. My advice is, as always, stay as informed as possible, be careful, and make your own decisions, but don't put your well being ahead of those who might not be so lucky if possible. Want to know more? Check out the references below.

 

Current constitutional issues related to vaccine mandates

Can Employers Mandate a Vaccine Authorized for EmergencyUse?

 

How the COVID Pandemic May End: Lessons From The 1918 Flu

COVID has killed about as many Americans as the 1918-1919flu

 

Coronavirus Recovery

Children on the Border: Facing Illegal Immigration...Again

I find myself puzzled about the continuing waves of illegal immigrants showing up on our border, despite knowing they aren't welcomed. When I say "not welcomed", it's not racial, ethnic, or even class bias. It's because we're a nation of laws. We expect those wanting to come here to live to abide by those laws.

We're not asking for anything unusual or out of the ordinary. The same countries where these individuals come from have similar laws when it comes to immigration. If there's a difference, it's that their laws are harsher when dealing with illegal immigrants than ours.

Nevertheless, how do they not understand that they aren't welcomed to the United States as illegal immigrants? It's no secret. The U.S. has made it abundantly clear for over a century. If they sneak in, they'll be forever looking over their shoulder. If caught, they will be detained and quite likely deported. They risk losing everything, from their cars, furniture, and whatever else they may have. They may face prison time before being deported. Is this the life they want for themselves or their children?

Some ten thousand young adults and children are currently on our border, hoping to enter. Why just kids? It's because they hope that by being here without their parents, the media will run tear jerk pieces about them. They think we'll feel sorry for them and let them in despite our laws.

Of course, what we're not suppose to know is that once they've gained entry, they can request that their parents and family join them. That means not just mom and dad, but their brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. So for each individual who enters, you might end up with ten others.

As an aside, of those ten thousand or so young adults hoping to enter the US, some critics claim that up to 50% are positive for the COVID virus (the actual percentage ranges from 5% to 50%. Of those actually tested about 7% have been positive). Nevertheless, they have the same access to COVID vaccines in their native country as they would in the US.  But why would we allow anyone who tested positive or couldn't provide proof of vaccination into this country anyway?

Speaking of which, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), illegal immigrants bring a disproportionate amount of other infectious diseases with them due to the lax immunization requirements in their home country; most of which have been eradicated in this country.

These highly contagious diseases includes TB, mumps, measles, smallpox, influenza, leprosy, and polio. Other diseases commonly include syphilis, cholera, and chickenpox, and that's just to mention a few.  The Border Patrol reported spending over $700,000 on medical cost for 2018 alone.

So, you and I will find ourselves having to support these kids and ultimately, their families with our tax dollars. Most Americans are already taxed to the breaking point, and yet we're being expected to pay more?  So, why are churches, religious institutions, social group, and businesses  encouraging all these thousands of individuals to come here illegally?

I'm sure some believe their actions are motivated  by good intentions or that they have some "moral" imperative which supersedes national or even global laws. Meanwhile, others are looking at self interest such as cheap and disposable labor; a way to bypass labor, safety, health laws or minimum wage (if they're here illegally, who are they going to complain to?).

From a political perspective, Democrats have been the most vocal supporters of illegal immigration. Despite their high minded claims about compassion, their true motive is all about building up their numbers into a undefeatable majority; one that will all but deny Republicans public office at the national level, and quite possibly even the state and local levels as well.

Of course, that means not just getting them into the country, but giving them the right to vote. Some states with Democratic majorities have already started moving in that direction by allowing illegal immigrants to vote at the local level such as the nine metro governments in Maryland and in San Francisco California. Meanwhile, two states, Arizona and North Dakota, allow illegals to vote in non-federal elections.

Meanwhile, efforts by the Democrats to give illegals already in this country "amnesty" goes on nonstop in the hope they'll register Democrat. Ironically, it was the Republicans under President Reagan which was the first party to extend amnesty to illegals already living in the country back in 1986.

Currently, just under 70% of eligible Hispanics are registered as Democrats while 83% of blacks identify as Democrats. Asians on the other hand, tend to register non-partisan or Independent. However, they lean Democrat when they vote, depending on the local majority. 

By the next presidential election, there will be an estimated 32 million Hispanics eligible to vote, which is about two million more than the number of potential black voters, making Hispanics the most important minority demographic in the country. Additionally, around 11 million Asians available to vote. However, about 13% of Hispanics don't vote. Why?

They are simply here for work; not to vote, become a citizen or even learn the language. They just want a job and earn enough money to send part of it home to help their family there. This money is critical in keeping local economies going, which, in turn, actually helps to prop up the national government.

Some estimates indicated that approximately 15% of the money earned by these individuals is sent home (the average check is about $250-$300, which doesn't sound like much, but given the cost of living in some countries, $250 could spend like $1000). The most recent study shows that local communities receive as much as $150 billion dollars yearly from this informal "foreign aid".

It's worth nothing too that while roughly 13% Hispanics don't vote, the second largest minority, blacks, do, and they turn out in high percentages. Combined, black, Hispanic, and Asian voters will make up just under half of all eligible voters in America by the next presidential election.

This is compounded by the fact that in states where the Hispanic vote is growing the fastest include states with largest number of Congressional representatives like California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Other key states are New Mexico, Nevada, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois and Georgia. The end result? More bang for the buck...or vote.

There's another interesting perspective to consider. Independents are the country's largest voting bloc, followed by Democrats and  Republicans. Politically appointed committees and boards go to the largest voting bloc, Independents are denied their fair share of seats at all levels of government. Not exactly "fair and equal" elections is it?

On state and local levels, illegal immigrants usually find themselves on taxpayer funded programs. Many are coached by various religious or church backed organizations on how to sidestep local, state, or federal laws and avoid the authorities. Others learn by word of mouth. Either way, they end up getting taxpayer based services they are neither entitled to or paid for through their tax dollars.

The group most adversely affected by this (aside from taxpayers), are existing low income families who are citizens, either by birth or naturalized. Since there is a fixed budget, the increasing numbers of illegal immigrates, by virtue of their numbers alone, redirect services to them and away from U.S. citizens.  Just how does illegal immigration cost taxpayers?

Because of different reporting requirements, it's difficult to give a precise answer. However, the best estimate is around $116 billion dollars a year though estimates go as high as $135 billion when you factor in lost revenue from payroll and property taxes, medical cost, etc. The residents of Florida, California, and Texas,  pay the lion's share of that with $6 billion, $23 billion, and $11 billion respectively. Rounding out the rest of the top ten states are New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. However, no state is unaffected.

So, the issue of young adults and smaller children on the border is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to consider. Most of those wanting to enter the U.S. admit they are doing so strictly for economic reasons.

The United Nations does not recognize economic migration as a legitimate requirement for anyone seeking "asylum" (neither does Amnesty International for that matter). Those seeking political or religious asylum are required, by international law, to go to the closest non-hostile country. Unless there's something happening in Northern Mexico, that isn't the United States.

We also face integration issues by those coming here who refuse to integrate. By integration, we are talking about use of the English language, and the adherence of our laws, customs, and traditions. In short, becoming Americans. That creates divisions in this country. Do we really want that? If you go elsewhere as an immigrant, you're expected to integrate. So why not here?

Another potential problem is obviously health issues. Many of  these individuals bring with them diseases which have long been eradicated from this country. Those entering illegally are not screened, which presents a serious national threat.

While political parties use these individuals as pawns in their partisan power grab game, religious institutions use them to increase their membership, and hopefully their coffers, as well as their political clout. Essentially the same as some cash strapped unions, forgetting that these are flesh and blood human beings. Unscrupulous businesses see warm bodies trapped and unable to do anything but work low paying jobs. 

Immigration is the right of every individual. So is seeking sanctuary due to ethnic, racial, or religious persecution. However, there are laws and guidelines to follow. America has always been a welcoming country. We are a nation of immigrants. Nevertheless, like every other country on this planet, we expect our immigration laws to be adhered to. Coming to this or any other country illegally is not just wrong. It also shows a disrespect for that country, its laws, and its people.  

 

Remittances matter: 8 facts you don't know about the money migrants send back home

Mapping the 2020 Latino Electorate

Key facts about Black eligible voters in 2020 battlegroundstates

Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Report: Illegal immigration costs taxpayers $116 billion annually....

Crimes by Illegal Immigrants Widespread Across the US...

Infectious Diseases Making Border Crisis Worse

COVID-19 and Contact Tracing: What Possibly Could Go Wrong?

During World War II there was one name which was feared above all others---Gestapo. It made the bravest and most daring men and women freeze in dread of the knock on the door at two o'clock in the morning. The Gestapo, or Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police) as it was officially called, was used by the Nazis to track, monitor, and arrest anyone suspected of treason against the Third Reich.

For many, it was believed that there was a Gestapo agent in every bar, every outdoor cafe, every street corner, or lurking in every dark alley with their black fedora pulled down low, their black leather trench coat with the collar turned up, a cigarette dangling menacingly from their lips while holding a small notebook close to their chest and scribbling down everything they saw and heard.

We typically think of them ferreting out members of the underground who are engaged in a deadly cat and mouse game of smuggling arms, or downed RAF and American pilots in and out of dusty lofts, sending coded messages, conducting sabotage in the dead of the night or assassinating German officers and pro-Nazi collaborators as they sit in open air cafes sipping beer. Such is our image from the movies.

From 1933 until 1934, the Gestapo was headed by Reich Minister Hermann Goring, who was also the Reich Air Marshall and head of the deadly Luftwaffe. After that, it fell under the direction of Heinrich Himmler, head of the dreaded SS or Schutzstaffel. In 1939, it was transferred to the Reich Main Security Office (RSHA) and henceforth considered a "sister department" to the Security Service (SD), the intelligence arm of the SS and overseen by the "Butcher of Prague", Reinhard Heydrich.

For the long twelve years of the Third Reich's existence, the Gestapo was often thought to be everywhere; all-knowing and all powerful, both inside and outside of the Reich. The truth of the matter is that there were in fact relatively few people who worked for Geheime Staatspolizei and the number of undercover agents was equally few. The Gestapo, which worked closely with the regular police force, was actually comprised mostly of clerks and analysts more than anything. Surprised? Don't be.

The role of the Gestapo was intentionally broad and loosely defined. Thanks to a 1936 law, it operated without judicial review. It was charged with more than finding secret transmitters or members of the underground. It was investigate any charges of "non-conformist behavior". What did this mean? It meant that anyone suspected of anti-government behavior was a potential target. This could (and did) often mean people who failed to give the proper Nazi greeting, individuals who acted "suspicious" or "unsocial" (meaning people who liked to be left alone), reading "subversive" books or magazines.

It meant entertaining guests at unusual hours (especially someone of the opposite sex), "suspected" homosexuality, not supporting Reich policies (like supporting the war), holding anti-Reich views regarding religion or race relations, keeping odd hours, having no visible means of support, failure to listen to official state radio broadcasts, being drunk often or doing drugs, as well as those who failed to adhere to regulations pertaining to blackouts, didn't show up for "volunteer" civic functions, and so forth. It was these types of behaviors which lead to the arrest and execution of Anne Frank, Sophie Scholl and members of the "White Rose" resistance movement. So, how did the Gestapo learn of all these "non-conformist" activities? Was it agents hiding in bushes and up trees? Nope!

In fact, 80% of ALL investigations were due to reports by ordinary civilians! On average, there was rarely more than 50 Gestapo personnel in any midsize city. For example, Northern Bavaria had no more than approximately 90 full time agents. In the Lower Rhineland, which had a population of over four million, there were just 281 members of the Gestapo available. If it wasn't for the average German snitching for one reason or another, the Gestapo would have neither been as effective or feared as it was.

As for the reason these ordinary Germans spied on and reported their fellow Germans, most did so out of as sense of patriotism; a belief they were protecting the Reich and helping to ensure law and order. They felt they were keeping Germany and Germans safe. A few admitted after the war that it was out of jealousy or some petty dislike of the individual. As a result, millions were put on watch lists. They were subject to harassment, random detention or arrest, fines, blackmail, and for many, it meant prison terms ranging from months to years, and for a few, it meant not just torture, but certain death (Sophie Scholl, mentioned above, was beheaded by guillotine. She was just 21).

The reason I mention this brief history lesson is because "our" government officials have been encouraging ordinary people---people like you and me---to essentially spy on our neighbors and report them if it appears they are not following certain guidelines or even mere recommendations. What are we talking about? Reporting people who, for one reason or another, are not wearing a mask; going places other than grocery stores, pharmacy, or hardware store for "essential" items; congregating in groups of ten or more, and so on.

Who is doing this? Well, people like Colorado's Governor Jared Polis, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, New York Mayor Bill De Blasio, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, California Governor Gavin Newsom, among several others. They've "warned" their constituents about what is expected of them and how they should act, otherwise they face a reversal of their newly earned "freedoms" and a return to mandatory lockdowns and quarantines. Some have even set up special phone lines and websites to make it easy to rat on their fellow citizens.

In Laredo, Texas, cops responded to an anonymous tip on one such website about two women doing hair and nails on the sly. They were promptly shut down and face possible fines and a mandatory 14 day self quarantine complete with an ankle monitor! Meanwhile, in Huston a county commissioner tried another tack. He ordered that everyone wear a mask or face a $1000 fine. However, instead of handing out tickets, law enforcement handed out masks. Even in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear is has a hotline to report anyone who isn't in "compliance" with his guidelines.

In Palm Beach Florida, County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw went a step further. He's encouraging people to report anyone making "anti-government" comments through a special hotline 24/7. It's part of a one million dollar program to reduce potential "violence", presumably against law enforcement and/or government personnel. And don't think Florida is the only place where this is happening.

In some locations, cameras used to monitor crime or traffic are being used to detect individuals with high temperatures. Facial recognition programming is then being used to help identify these individuals, which is prompting a visit from authorities. Stores are also imposing their own restrictions such as "no mask--no entry" (akin to "no shoes, no shirt, no service" I suppose). Of course, that's their legal right. It's their property and they can set the rules. Of course, you can spend your money elsewhere too. Stories like this are popping up all over the country, so don't give me any of that "it can't happen here" BS. It can and it is.

I want to point out, however, that like those in Nazi Germany, the majority of these "narcs" are doing so out of a misplaced sense of patriotism or compassion for others. They sincerely believe that what they are doing is the "right thing". The only exception is that no one is being executed. However, individuals are being questioned by authorities. Some are being arrested, fined, while others are facing jail time, or at the very least, enforced "self-quarantine" complete with a ankle monitor. A few are risking their business licenses. No doubt a record for "future reference" is being created as well.

What about contact tracing? Actually, contact tracing is not new. We just haven't heard that much about it since we haven't faced a pandemic recently, but it's actually been in use for awhile to manage epidemics. In the past it was more of a matter of creating a list of everyone you had come into contact with over a specific period of time. It's like creating a "contact web". The big difference being proposed here is the use of our smartphones to create the "web" for us, which is not only potentially more accurate but much more timely. We will now download an app from the CDC directly onto our smartphone which will do the work for us.

The current proposal also takes into consideration personal privacy. It does not disclose the identity of the infected individual. It does, however, notify everyone of their contacts that they may have come into contact with someone who was infected with the virus (or some other disease in the future), and asks them about any symptoms. In effect, it would provide an early warning system for all concerned.

On the surface, it sounds like pretty reasonable. I would certainly like to know if I may have become infected with some virus or disease so that I could limit any contact with individuals with impaired immune systems while doing what I needed to stay healthy. I don't need to know necessarily who the potentially infected person is, but it would sure help me in making my decision. But, doesn't that violate their privacy? Do I have a right to know who may have infected me?

I guess I could contact everyone on my contact list ask "which one of you is sick?" and see what happens. Of course, I could eliminate some simply by virtue of their known proximity to me. Most of us have a pretty good idea of where we've been over the past week or so and who we've been around. However, it doesn't take into consideration strangers we bumped into at the local grocery store or some business who may have been infected.

The other big issue from my perspective is who will have access to this information; for how long; and what ultimately becomes of it regardless of whether I'm infected or not. Is there going to be a record of me hanging around "questionable" characters who may be subject to certain illnesses? Is there going to be a shared government/medical/insurance record of how often I get sick, from what, and will it affect my medical care or my insurance rates? If so, could it make me eventually financially uninsurable; that is, make it impossible to afford my insurance premiums?

Going only slightly further, could my health record somehow become attached to my credit worthiness? And if it does, couldn't that also eventually affect my employability? After all, if I'm subject to being sick (or live in area which has a high infection rate) won't it affect my ability to work and thus pay my bills? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where this could all lead. Government programs have a nasty habit of getting out of control real easy as everyone knows.

So, while I understand and can appreciate contact tracing, applying this to our smart phones could lead to unintended consequences. Once again, we are faced with the quandary of the needs of the many versus the needs of the few or the one. Before I would consider doing this, I would need some strong assurances about my privacy both short and long term. Could you imagine what the Gestapo and their well intended informants could have done with this technology? Besides, we've seen how well the snitching and our privacy is working out.



Gestapo

Sophie Scholl


No, We Don't Need To Foster A Culture Of Snitching To Stay Safe


Achtung, Baby: Are People Being Encouraged To Rat On Anti-Government Neighbors?


New Coronavirus Hotline Helps People Snitch On Their Neighbors For Breaking Rules


What Is Contact Tracing? How It Could Be Used To Fight Coronavirus