The American Constitutional Rights Union defines a crisis tyrant as a leader who uses a crisis — like the COVID-19 pandemic — to justify and grease the skids of their tyrannical behavior. The “crisis” element adds a layer or two of “despicable” as the exercise of power comes on the backs of those enduring a crisis or tragedy.
Most of us don’t have to look far to find a local crisis tyrant. Here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, we experienced crisis tyrants popping out of our city council chambers like whack-a-moles.
When federal, state, and local governments were scratching their heads, wondering how to formulate a public response to the pandemic, the leadership of our beach communities sprang into action in the most absurd way possible. The island city councils closed the beaches to all non-residents. If you lived on the island, you could enjoy the beach. If you lived on the other side of the bridge, you were banned. Of course, beach island residents were free to frequent Target, Costco and Starbucks on the mainland. Never mind the beaches here are controlled by the state, not the islands.
We’re struggling to limit a viral pandemic, communicable through shared air, so the crisis tyrants figured the best response was to drive people back out of the germ-killing sunlight and breezy air and inside to enclosed spaces where they could more easily cough and sneeze all over each other. Please excuse my lapse of editorial professionalism while I whip out an SMH emoji.
As you well know by now, the examples of crisis tyranny are legion. The ACRU has been reporting on Crisis Tyrants and the Tyrant of the week for quite some time. Hint: Michigan’s Governor Whitmer is a certified rock star in the Crisis Tyrant of the Week category.
The elephant in the room is President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate, applicable to, well, almost everyone. Via direct executive order, Biden’s rule applies to federal workers and contractors. Via an OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard, the “mandate” can apply to employees of all companies with more than 100 workers. And the list goes on.
The net-net is the government is trying to implement forced vaccinations on as many people as possible while giving companies and organizations air cover to implement their own mandate policies. And crisis tyrants aren't always politicians. Just ask employees of Southwest Airlines.
All over the country, hospital systems are firing or suspending health care workers who choose not to get the vaccine. Baffling. The political machine is “mansplaining” health care decisions to front line care workers who’ve been fighting the COVID-19 virus for a year and a half.
Meanwhile in Colorado, teachers face misdemeanor charges, up to a year in jail, and a $5,000 fine if their students don’t wear masks. You heard that right. Under Tri-County Health rules, not laws, not only are teachers liable for mandatory mask wearing, they’re now expected to act as enforcers.
In Chicago, a Cook County judge stripped child visitation rights from a divorced mother who previously shared custody with her ex-husband. Claiming prior bad reactions to vaccinations, the mother has chosen not to receive the COVID vaccine. The judge denied all child contact without warning or a hearing on the topic.
Always a party favorite for new heights of tyrannical behavior, Los Angeles is considering requiring proof of vaccination for anyone who wants to visit indoor restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, shopping centers, museums, movie theaters, salons, and other public establishments.
We could go on all day with specific examples of lockdowns, mandates, “show us your papers” policies and similar ilk, but before we move on, one question. When did the CDC gain the legal authority to tell renters and lessees they couldn’t be evicted for non-payment? I’m not aware of the CDC issuing reimbursement checks to building, home and property owners, even though individuals and companies may be subject to continuing mortgage, maintenance and tax payments.
So, what’s the motivation for this behavior?
Sure, there are a few people in this world who actually do thrive on abuse of power, but that can’t be the dominant reason for widespread crisis tyrant behavior. To preserve a shred of hope I have to believe that’s not the primary reason.
Fear is a big driver for many of these appalling “responses” to the COVID pandemic. Perhaps the recent New York Times “mistake” overstating the number of pediatric COVID-19 cases slightly… by a factor of 14 was a fear response. The onetime bastion of journalistic integrity (yes, a long time ago) recently claimed nearly 900,000 children had been hospitalized due to COVID. The real number turned out to be 63,000. Desperate agendas call for desperate fabrications.
Gaining political favor is another reason. America’s favorite flip flopper, Dr. David Fauci, prostrates himself before the state, “There comes a time when you do have to give up what you consider your individual right of making your own decision for the greater good of society.”
The “nature of people” skeptic in me believes the real reason for most of the crisis tyrant behavior boils down to a need to demonstrate action and worth. A viral pandemic is not something local political leaders can tackle decisively, like fixing potholes or establishing fines for imprecise parallel parking.
While state and federal governments can partner with, and invest billions in medical and pharmaceutical solutions, the local beach island city council or local mayor is left wringing their hands, wondering how they’re going to demonstrate action to their constituents. Banning things? Sure, that’s decisive, objective, and tangible. Everyone understands it, even if it won’t accomplish anything. Lockdowns? Yep. Controversial? Check. Decisive? Check. Bold and brave? Check. Effective? Well… Requiring mask wearing in areas under their jurisdiction? Again, it’s decisive, measurable, and makes a great “action taken” bullet point during the next re-election campaign.
Could it be that simple? Are we being assaulted with this barrage of tyrannical, ineffective, and often ridiculous policies and mandates just because politicians need to prove they’re doing something — anything — to tackle the problem?
You know, if our elected and appointed authorities don’t have real solutions to put forth, people might start to wonder why we need those politicians anyway. A fine question indeed…