Image taken from Twitter during #MichiganProtest Source Unknown
The Divide Deepens
A deeper sociopolitical struggle is unfolding between private enterprise, city, county and state governments. The disagreement is centered on "...concerns about whether state governments will act too quickly or slowly in easing restrictions – [Americans] are deeply divided along partisan lines," according to a survey of 5,000 Americans conducted last April. PEW Research followed up on this survey and found..."the public’s views on this question are little changed since early April, though they are somewhat more divided [author's emphasis] along partisan and ideological lines."
In the midst of fear and anger the divide between Americans is intensifying.
A symbolic battle is being projected on our screens between family members, neighbors, experts and politicians. The battle is taking place within the conflicting government guidelines from National, State and Local governments. In the middle of it are the people who are trying to make a living. Growing frustration with the lack of govern-aid and slowed-down economy presented business owners with a difficult choice: obey government emergency orders and go hungry OR thrive amidst a national crisis.
People were terrified by a supposed existential crisis so much so that they demanded more authoritarian control over voluntary interactions. A coordinated effort by internationalist organizations like WHO, WEF and governments across the world propagated a campaign to persuade people to stay indoors, away from social gatherings. Consequently, state and local governments followed suit and rushed to push the boundaries of their authority for the sake of public safety. Take for example the story of two Laredoean women who were arrested by an undercover sting for offering their Salon services in social media:
- City of Laredo Pushing the Limits of Its Authority; To Keep You "Safe"
- Two Laredoean Women Arrested for Trying to Make A Living
On one end, are the anonymous tipsters that call the police on their neighbors for violating the emergency lock down order. Then there are the “...non-essential” businesses [that] have been closed and many [other] locally-owned shops [that] are now struggling to survive."
As new "unofficial" information continued to debunk the official narrative the experts made their "adjustments" and downgraded the pandemic. Then came the outrage and anger to the continued lock-down during an economic recession that has caused millions of unemployed Americans to be dependent on government aid programs. People dissented, protested and broke the law to attempt to make up their losses.
HoustonChron Reports: “We’ve complied 100 percent until now,” Brice told the Houston Chronicle. “What I don’t like is that the government is picking and choosing which businesses win or lose. They are sinking the economy. We have to stand our ground and get people back to work.”
The conflict has reached to a point in which the people's militia in Michigan has taken it upon themselves to defend the natural rights of private business owners:
Members of the Michigan Militia and Home Guard stand with protesters outside Karl Manke’s Barber Shop on Saturday, May 9th, 2020. Many are in support of the barber. Source
"Owosso barber says he’ll keep cutting hair unless he walks out “in handcuffs or tasered”
The Michigan Militia says the police will not be allowed to arrest 77-year-old Owosso, Mich., barber, Karl Manke, who has defied Governor Whitmer’s orders that all non-essential businesses stay closed. Friday night, Michigan State Police delivered a health protection order from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office ordering that Manke close his doors.
In this era of lock-downs, an underlying conflict is taking place between those who react to the fear-programming in two ways: OBEDIENCE OR REBELLION. The division, animosity and distrust between people of different political colors was slowly created by the countless crisis events of the recent past. The establishment's divisive narrative cultivated a political environment in which active discussions, mutual understanding and collaboration between political lines was seen as betrayal and cowardice. The struggle between those who submit to government-guidelines and those who stand-up to tyranny will continue into the new COVID1984 abnormal. At this point, one must ask themselves is it time to talk about freedom? Or is it time to WALK away from the line of obedience, conformity and draw a line in the sand?
It is everywhere the same. Many businesses can deliver at home, people can buy online or? This increased worldwide.
Restaurants etc can deliver or take away.
There is way more possible as you think.
There are countries where shops remained open between 7am and 3 pm like Hungary and so far only 430 people died. All people who had more as only 2 different serious illnesses. The question is how this can be.
We know nothing about this virus, how it will mutate, but we can try to stay safe and healthy. Each one for us.
If it comes to health care it sucks in many countries. In the Netherlands you are forced to have and pay for a health insurance. They know if you do not have one and you get sued for it. Still, 70 years and older will not be taken to hospital. People who frequently worked, paid most, rebuild the country after the world war. They do not count. There are 1200.IC beds in the country. It's not surprising these people die because they have a huge lack of vitamines, healthy food, good care since years.
In Belgium people are taken to hospital and they pay way less for their health insurance plus no own risk.
As I understand many in the US were against or simply can not afgord or want to pay an insurance.
Btw do not think I can afford it. I need to pay 100 euro a month and my own risk a year is 885 euro. Money I do not have which means I better do not get seriously ill.
There's no perfect healthcare system. You can not blame a present government for it either unless that government is there since 10 or 15 years. What you partly have in your own hands is your own health. Most people are overweighted, far overweighted and we all know this comes with health issues like high bloodpressure, heart issues, diabetics, breathing problemss etc. If you can change this by losing weight, can increase your health with it, it's worth trying. If you refuse you should not complain if you get ill and there's no room for you in hospital. The moment will come doctors will decide who is worth saving. The Dutch government already said that several times. This virus made clear not all of us have the same right if it comes to health care.
Happy day.
Reblogged. 💕
Thank you for expanding the horizon of this topic and connecting it to places like Europe. I resonate with your conclusion, in that, people most take control over the things they can change for the better; their personal health. Obviously, our world is not run by angels and things are becoming more expensive, scarce and ineffective. The age of austerity really decimated the medical industry in America/Europe. We will have to adapt to this new threat accordingly, instead of dis-empowering ourselves by giving more credence to the established and ineffective public institutions.
If it comes to it the power is in our own hands and it is up to each one of us how we deal with our health. A great day to you. 💕
This devastating situation for all of us.
I can understand the barber shop guy,if government can feed everyone as in all of the American people rich or poor, no escape, everyone is equal, then rebellious act will not happen.
Here in Davao, one lady drom hospital run away from quarantine zone, she do not want to be quarantine. She said shy rather die.
And you know what I think of why she ran away? I think she rans becuase she does not want to die much earlier. Much earlier for a wrong medication that might put on her. But the problem is she can infect a lot of people if she is not careful or isolate herself.
Our lockdown started march 20. Now is still lockdown May 12 2020.
People were dying of hunger.
Those who were the nearest to those town officials or so, these are the only people can get food.
No wonder there are rebels in my country.
This ongoing situation is really rewiring people's social brain too. While we have to consider our own health, now we also have to contend with the possibility of infecting others. However, with the latest information it has shown that mandatory lock-downs/quarantines don't necessarily keep people safe. I think this is another dimension frustrating people, because generally speaking people were accepting the lock-downs UNTIL their livelihoods were at stake.
It did occur to me that more people were dying from medical malpractice than dying from just the corona-virus. Of course, I am not a doctor but from the information I've seen there's an incentive to fluff up the death rate of COVID19.
I think moving forward people will need to be more creative instead of reacting to the political machinations of the government. We are slowly becoming more dependent on government breadlines and that is a very scary thing.
You are right! In other words, this is like mass killing. Quarantine, lockdown is a torture. Then we have no where to run.
We can be creative, people feeling hopeless. It is so sad😭