If you give something away voluntarily, can you ask for it back?

What have we given away during the coronavirus pandemic and can we get it back from our leaders?

Constitutional Experts David Kopel and Rob Natelson

I watched Freedom on Tap with Jon Caldara from the Independence Institute on April 7. The idea was to join a virtual drinking party and listen to discussions with constitutional experts David Kopel and Rob Natelson and Zoom call-in folks. As they drank local beers, scotch and tequila they chatted about the coronavirus and the impact it has had on all of us, but also about how the stay-at-home order has impacted our communities, our constitutional rights and our future.

Over the weekend it got me thinking about giving something away voluntarily (or involuntarily) and then trying to get it back. When I was on active duty in the Army, I paid very little attention to retirees. I wasn’t ready to retire, and it was a long way off. But I should have paid attention to the benefits retirees lost because when I became a retiree those benefits were no longer offered. Once taken away, benefits such as dental and vision, were not restored for future retirees.

Volunteer Support of Stay-at-Home Orders

The same can be said about this stay-at-home order – what have we voluntarily (or involuntarily) given up and will we get that right or ability back? We’ve given away our right to assemble, to worship as a congregation and the pursuit of happiness.

We have not challenged the definition of critical jobs and have voluntarily shut down our businesses without challenging the validity or the ethics of the action. I would argue with my purple hair and purple nails that my hairstylist and nail tech have critical businesses, but it might not be critical to someone else.

Other Courses of Action

Instead we have accepted one course of action and not been allowed to even propose another. In the military when asked for a course of action, you always came up with at least two. One was to do something, in this case close our communities and stay home, and the other was always to do and change nothing.

Of course, we have also gained a few rights such as the loosening of liquor laws. Many of our favorite restaurants are offering curbside, pick up or delivery services – a convenience we didn’t know we would enjoy so much. And interacting with our medical providers through telemedicine and email has been a great benefit.

Instead of questioning our forced shutdown, we let fear and panic override our good sense. I’m not challenging if the governor’s stay-at-home order was needed or not, we can only answer that question in hindsight. I want us to start thinking about taking back our rights when this crisis is over. Not letting our politicians and leaders keep what we have voluntarily (or involuntarily) given away. What have you lost and would like back?

The Maverick Observer, or “The Moe” as we affectionately call it, is an online free-thinking publication interested in the happenings in our town. We launched in February 2020 to hold our politicians and businesses accountable. We hope to educate, inform, entertain, and infuse you with a sense of community.