OPINION:
As we approach the second anniversary of “15 days to flatten the curve,” we are in the midst of a nationwide rebellion against the authoritarian mandates of congressional Democrats, liberal community leaders, and radical leftist school boards. While the long-term damage to our society is not yet fully understood—especially the impacts on the mental health of children and young adults—we can celebrate the power of the American resolve. We are taking back our communities from the radicals and the elites.
At the beginning of this global pandemic, the American people were willing to temporarily grant power to our nation’s leadership in order to combat an indiscriminate virus. From the beginning, I voiced concern over the reality that while governments are more than willing to assume emergency power beyond that which is enumerated in our country’s Constitution, they are more hesitant to return that authority to its rightful owners – the people. The scientifically void and constitutionally questionable mandates implemented by this country’s liberal elites have led to immeasurable consequences on our economic and cultural future.
Our frontline workers – doctors, nurses, grocers, truck drivers, teachers, etc. – that were once praised as national “heroes” for braving the potentially deadly risks associated with the pandemic have been vilified in recent months because they dared to question our leaders’ motives and political agendas. Nurses and doctors who refused the vaccine were called “anti-science” by this country’s political elites. Concerned parents and teachers who noticed the dangerous impact on children’s mental health as the result of baseless and ineffective mask mandates were labeled “terrorists” then arrested for speaking out at school board meetings. In the midst of worldwide supply chain disruptions, American and Canadian truck drivers have had their livelihoods threatened for failing to abide by draconian measures intended to stop the spread. Anyone who doubted the origin of the virus, effectiveness of mask and vaccine mandates, or sought the return of power to the people were labeled “right-wing extremists” and “conspiracy theorists.” Thankfully, the tides are changing because everyday Americans from all political affiliations, social classes, genders, and races are fighting back.
In Illinois, the state Supreme Court recently denied our disconnected governor’s appeal of a restraining order challenging his mask mandates in schools, handing a significant win to the brave parents across our great state. The liberal hypocrisy and “Rules for Thee but Not for Me” mantra has become a universal call for justice. We saw liberal politicians, athletes, and celebrities at events such as the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and Super Bowl without masks or social distancing. Meanwhile, our children are forced to wear masks for 8 hours a day despite the science indicating they are the least at-risk demographic for infection and hospitalization. Radical school board officials across the country are being recalled and removed from office while Critical Race Theory (CRT) – a Marxist teaching philosophy designed to promote victimhood and guilt based on the color of one’s skin - is being strongly rejected by Americans of all races. I am proud to say that we, the American people, are taking back our country.
We must continue to disrupt radical policies and influences. We must stay involved. We must demand the truth and challenge the status quo. We are taking back our freedoms and our country. Remain vigilant.
• Catalina Lauf is a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (IL-11)
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