While the cats away, the mice will play. No reference to this forum and politics, well maybe, so in regards to the constitution and how some of our elected leaders have reacted: First some of us were not laid off, we are just on vacation. I would like to explain:
Our founding fathers created the constitution under the belief that the will of the people will also be in the best interest of the people. In regards to the coronavirus I believe the federal government supported this belief, the governors in several states enforced this philosophy, and local communities took pride in voluntarily following the national guidelines.
Many criticize our federal government for not ordering a nation wide shut down. What they did do was issue guidelines and left it up to the governors. I live in two states (WY and SD) and both of these governors have been criticized because they did not issue statewide shutdowns of businesses or sheltering in place orders. They are viewed as reactive instead of proactive by some. Most citizens in these states believe the governors are constructivist constitutionalist. Both issued guidelines for local governments to follow and left it up to the individual communities to enact the policies deemed important. One exception was the Secretary of Education in both states issued orders for all public schools and universities to close and private schools followed suit, supported by both governors.
A key concept in both states is an understanding that what one person does affects their neighbors, what one community does affects other communities, and what one county does affects other counties. Both states have communities requiring sheltering in place, a choice of the local governments in the best interest of the citizens. In essence we are following the guidelines established around the nation by choice, not mandate. We do have our mavericks, but public scorn is a powerful tool in small communities. The citizens of both states have proven democracy can work when our chosen leaders allow us to help design and implement a given strategy.
I also understand that it is in the best interest of several states to set specific guidelines in the interest of the general public. In this case individuals were laid off and cannot go on vacation. One size does not fit all and I believe both strategies are within the framer's beliefs. We are just as scared as any other citizen in the country. As a result, we are doing the same things the rest of the world is doing. Different strategies, same results. Please understand I am not advocating for others to join us in what should have been the state of Absaroka. The history of this movement (early 1930's) might explain the perspectives we have in this part of the country. It is nice to be on vacation and have the time to share.
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