Is the U.S. still the “home of the brave?” COVID-19 Lockdowns have provided a measuring stick by which the weakening of freedoms can be gauged – how easily citizens will give up their individual rights in order to acquiesce to fears during a national emergency. The shuttering of churches, small businesses, schools, government agencies, commercial offices, and sports arenas. Limits imposed on travel and social or family gatherings. Many citizens became masked-up, socially distanced, fear-driven circus animals that roll over on command. Does the de-emphasis of Judeo-Christian philosophical principles underpinning the bedrock beliefs of the founders play a role? Would a stronger foundation in history and civics lead citizens to be more protective of their Constitutional rights and fight for them? The motivation should be that if fundamental rights need to be infringed upon for the greater good, it must be for the shortest possible time. But history has shown that government is hesitant to give up power and control.
Small businesses were hit particularly hard by lockdowns – restaurants, bakeries, gyms, local stores, spas, salons, childcare, auto repair, and shopping mall stores. Small business failure rates were roughly 30% nationwide, and those that survived accepted government assistance, borrowed or suffered a lower standard of living. Historically, businesses with 20 or fewer employees make up close to 90% of all businesses and are an engine of job growth. During the post-COVID recovery small businesses had a difficult time finding workers, competing with large corporations and government handouts that provided for some an option not to work. These are people who took risks and worked tirelessly and are now part of a shrinking middle class.
On February 26, 2021 the World Economic Forum celebrated how COVID-19 lockdowns were “quietly improving cities” across the globe, either ignorant or dismissive of human suffering due to business closings and lost jobs. The group’s founder, Klaus Schwab, sees the pandemic as “a narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world.” This mirrors the perspective of the “Green New Deal.” U.K. Election Lawyer Francis Hoar stated “Isn’t it lovely to see all these quiet, dead cities, closed factories and grounded aircraft. Take this as a warning that if lockdowns are accepted in any circumstance, they will be imposed for climate reasons.”
The Ruling Class
Make no mistake – in the U.S. there is a ruling class that is statist, authoritarian, and elitist. Big Tech, corporate elites, education elites, the government ruling class (Deep State), pop culture figures, globalists and politicians spanning both parties. They favor secular progressivism instead of the God-given rights referenced in the Declaration of Independence. Traditional (corporate) media and social media is the glue that holds them together, deciding what news and information is to be reported and from what perspective and source. The example of the social media platform Parler, attempting to compete with Twitter is instructive. Google and Apple pulled the app from their stores, and Amazon Web Services effectively turned off the switch. The effect was limiting certain groups – Trump supporters, nationalists, conservatives, libertarians, free thinkers, and people of Faith – from freely exchanging ideas and organizing.
Never forget that elites don’t feel the effect of rules they create for others. They will still fly on private jets, live securely behind barriers with armed guards, and are never threatened by hunger, housing insecurity or disruptive school changes. No threats to the fulfillment of dreams for their children or retirement lifestyle. Biden Climate Czar John Kerry sees no serious repercussions from the cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline and resulting job losses and business failures as “…they can be the people to go to work to make the solar panels.” He conveniently forgets the Solyndra solar panel company, toured by President Obama in 2010 and counting an Obama fundraiser among its private investors that went bankrupt costing taxpayers $535 million. They could not compete with products from China, and that market reality has not changed despite John Kerry’s ignorance.
In 1780, Samuel Adams declared “If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” He also stated “If we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.”
Last edited: January 30, 2023