The Price of RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM

There comes a time when one must step back and evaluate circumstances to be clear about something vital to one’s life or livelihood or cause. It occurs to me that such a time has arrived.

Here we are in the midst of probably the worst pandemic many of us will ever see.  And, there is evidence that a portion of the population – estimated by NBC to be about 12% -- are essentially unaware of (or maybe indifferent to) what we have here compared to other disease pandemics.  Here are some brief factoids presented by BusinessWorld.com:

·       The new coronavirus has killed more than  183,283 people around the world (as of 11:08 p.m. on 04/22/2020); over 2.3 million active cases have been reported

·       It's extremely contagious and spreads from person to person easily through close contact (nursing homes and prisons seem to be especially vulnerable).

·       The most severe coronavirus cases often include difficulty breathing and can require hospitalization, in which patients may have to be hooked up to ventilators to blow more oxygen into their lungs

·       Too many die an agonizing death, isolated from family

·        Robert Redfield, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak in winter could be even worse than the current outbreak.  Redfield said that a winter outbreak would be particularly catastrophic for hospitals when layered on top of the usual winter flu season and higher rates of other illnesses prevalent in the winter months.

·       A New York hospital struggling against the coronavirus says PPE price gouging is so bad that it's paying $7 for gowns worth 50 cents, and $25 for shields worth $1.25.

·       Attorney General Bill Barr threatens to sue states over prolonged social distancing.

·       Trump bans immigration for 60 days, insists testing is best of anywhere else; insists that virus will not return in the fall

·       California identified a person who died with COVID-19 on February 6, suggesting that the first known US coronavirus death happened at least three weeks earlier than previously thought.

·       The novel coronavirus is both more contagious and more deadly than seasonal influenza, and a vaccine against it almost certainly won't be available by the time flu season comes around.

(More facts and interactive maps are available at:

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-live-updates-latest-news)

It is certainly difficult to absorb all that is being said, done, and not done about this virus and its effects on the whole world, and on our nation that is now the epicenter of its spread.  The sorrow alone that is being brought to bear on so many innocent lives is devastating, as are the effects on human livelihood and daily living. Plus, we remain the object of more attacks of this virus in future months as the search for an effective vaccine goes on apace.

As much as some do not want to acknowledge this, it appears from experience so far that the best practical action for controlling its spread has to do with staying indoors away from other people, and venturing out only when necessary, practicing certain prescribed guidelines for encountering others, such as social distancing and wearing face masks. 

Yet, in spite of global experience and whatever data is available to support such measures, some right-wing protesters have decided that those requirements and guidelines are somehow related to government interference in their lives and freedoms, and must be rejected and society re-opened.  In other words, it appears that some small fraction of our population favor risking their lives and those of others in order to make a political point that government is exercising too much control over individuals and must be stopped.

What is missed, of course, is that government is -- in exercising such restrictions and issuing national and state guidelines --fulfilling its primary duty of protecting all its citizens.   

Nonetheless, we now have some acting as though their desire to be back at work,      back at sporting events, at large gatherings of all sorts is more important than the lives that are being saved by everyone abiding by a few rules and restrictions.  We should say that there are also some economics involved here that are understandable.  After all, nobody wants to be “out-of-work” and out-of-pay – it’s not a desirable situation for anyone, including the businesses that are suffering. 

On the other hand, the threat of the cessation of life itself is not exactly a desirable outcome.  In fact, it is a horrible quick ending to all of  the "freedom" that protestors demand.  The protesters may not have the virus catch-up to them, but someone known to them will – it is inevitable.  Someone in those crowds was a carrier; someone in those crowds contracted the virus and is now infecting others.  Someone from those crowds will die – a stranger to others most likely.  But not a stranger to those close to him or her; not a stranger to a family left behind. And once the virus spreads again, because restrictions are lessened or removed, the outbreaks will come flooding back perhaps more virulent than before affecting all age groups including young children.  Who will protestors blame when they are directly or closely affected? Certainly not themselves. 

And therein lies the dilemma we all must face.  This whole thing is not just about our individual desires nor our individual lives.  This is a global pandemic and it is about the entire human family.  It is about something we just don’t get around to very often in a country focused mainly on individual rights, individual freedoms, individual property, individual responsibility, individualistic “don’t tread on me” attitudes; plus, the myths of individual initiatives, rags-to-riches stories that glorify pulling oneself up by one’s own bootstraps. Too often, when we do recognize a corporateness to living, we tend to translate the characteristics of individualism right into the clubs, cults, organizations, teams or entities we build, so that “membership” gets distorted into “us-against-them” mentality, excluding rather than embracing “others.”

Some build walls and barriers to protect their individual space, but balk at building a world order that looks after everyone.  “Let them fend for themselves,” some say.  “I’ve got my own life to worry about.”  And then comes  reality hammering at our inner biases and we realize, perhaps, that there is a human family that needs immediate attention.  Some take that as a threat to their own well-being, rather than as a human family responsibility.  And so, one hollers insults at a person of Asian descent on a subway, threatens him and tells him to go back to where he came from. Or Asian-Americans (and others) are denied equal treatment at public offices or entrance to private ‘clubs’ or ‘gatherings.’ 

Or, protestors take to the streets to take back what they see as their “God-given right” – to go where they want to go and do what they want to do. They say re-open society we want our lives (and livelihoods) back.  Do they have a right to protest?  Yes – everyone does.  Do they have a right to live their lives as they choose, without government interference?  Yes, in most cases -- but not when living their lives as they wish results in violent harm coming to others in the form of COVID19.

That is the dilemma we do not always accommodate well enough.  It is the 2^nd Amendment contradiction all over again; just as it is with all individual rights – speech, religion, press, etc. When an individual (or group) uses individual freedom to threaten, harm or hurt the many or the vulnerable few, that right becomes a tool of destruction not a tool of justice or equality, and therefore a candidate for reasonable restrictions, like: 

Ø Not being able to yell “fire” when there is none in a crowded venue;

Ø not being able to make slanderous or libelous statements in the press;

Ø not being able to segregate schools or services;

Ø not being able to institute a poll tax;

Ø not being able to buy military-style guns

These are instances where the rights of the larger family take precedent over harmful use of individual rights.  It is just such a dilemma we face today in putting national and state restrictions on our daily lives in order to save the lives of strangers (and perhaps ourselves and our loved ones).  Understandably, not something we tend to want to do.

This brings us, thankfully, to that larger portion of the citizenry who see the other side.  Those who act as though their lives are inextricably linked to the lives of others, and who act upon that premise.  Many even take that premise into their field of work, becoming what some might call members of the “helping professions.”  We are becoming more aware of the risks being taken by our first responders, our medical professionals and associates and peripheral staff in hospitals and temporary treatment centers. We are also somewhat aware of individuals stepping up to initiate and innovate in ways that help others to cope with this disease, like making PPEs or collecting food or clothing and many other home-style projects. The motivation seems to bear a commonality  – “we’re all in this together” or “I just want to help” or “I feel it’s my responsibility.”

Examples include: 

• the therapists, nurses and doctors finding themselves in the role of family for a stranger who is dying; or 
• a young couple gathering artists to create works that capture the agonies, triumphs and other moments of hope and despair on the front lines of hospitals; 
• the child who starts to use a sewing machine to make masks for others
• the kid who raises money on line to give to hospitals 

It includes those who see themselves as part of a human family, not just as an individual standing alone. It is a sense of interdependence with and mutual responsibility for others that propels the saving of the lives of strangers just because they are human and not because they look like us or act like us or behave like us or share our beliefs, but just because they are a part of a global family; in this case, a global family in dire need.

The hope of something good emerging from something bad seems to be an innate human hope.  What we need to recognize is that hope is already contained within the actions of people who believe that individual responsibility for familial well-being on a global scale is everyone’s personal responsibility.  The protesters have their right to protest about their situation (we are all frustrated by the restrictions and sacrifices required of us), but we all have a duty to humanity to look and to act beyond what is our own comfort zone. 

Compliance with common sense restrictions helps to save lives.   What is more injurious to human rights and freedoms than contributing to loss of lives that might have been saved?  Willingly exposing oneself and others to this life-taking virus is a threat to the very freedom being demanded. 

Our hope lies in responsible people taking responsible actions to bring about hopeful outcomes for all of us; and, that includes our national, state and local governments acting responsively and responsibly. If it demands sacrifices, so be it.

 After all, we couldn’t have defeated the global plague of Nazism if we had not taken actions as a people to live with rationing of many of the staples of life, with unemployment, and with the heartbreak of social separation and the deaths of so many troops and civilians in World War II.  Most of us who lived during that four-year War, have never forgotten what was sacrificed and how we persevered, and how grateful we felt on VE and VJ Days for our nation and our world restored to peace.  As a nation joined with allied nations, we did what had to be done to bring peace to the whole world.  In this new War, we are being asked to do the same in order to defeat this new global threat.

Freedom is not just getting what we think we deserve.  Freedom is a responsibility that must be broadly and equally shared to be effective and to be viable.  We are at Global War again and “rationing” and personal sacrifices are necessities of life for a significant time in order to overcome this sneak attack by invisible forces.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE WILL GET THERE IF WE WORK TOGETHER. 

 LET RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM RING!

  

         

       

ARE WE LEARNING LESSONS FROM COVID19?

This pandemic COVID19 is teaching valuable lessons even as it threatens, scares and devastates our lives.  Even Donald J. Trump appears to have finally absorbed enough information to force him to realize that this virus is about to bring dire consequences.  BUT ENOUGH ABOUT TRUMP!  (for now!)

Coming to the realization that the Coronavirus pandemic has the potential to change our world permanently for the better is worth contemplating even while we are caught in its horrendus grip, but only if we take steps to prevent it from changing for the worst.  Some will say (as some have always said in the face of substantial change): 

“Now Is NOT the Time!  Hold off thinking about this until this thing is over.”

 So, there it is: the very attitude that always keeps us from being innovative, inventive, proactive and ahead of the curve or the apex.  The very attitude that got us to this apex of viral attack in our nation without adequate preparation and without the plan, supplies and equipment necessary to stem its voracious appetite:  

--“Put It Off”

– “Kick the Can Down the Road”

 –“Wait Until the Time is Right”

– “Don’t Rock the Boat”

– “Slow Down and Wait”

These are some of the bumper-sticker voices of those who believe that holding-the-line or retreating-from-reality or fear-of-unknown future forces are the only ways to deal with their fears of change, displacement, challenge or sacrifice.

If one major axiom should have been learned from this event, it is that One Cannot Wait to React – we have to get ahead of the curve, the apex, the storm, by not only thinking ahead when challenges like this pandemic appear on our radar, but by collecting data immediately on everything it can tell us. The Trump administration and the Congress waited too long to recognize the threat, to collect and analyze data, and then too long to meet it head-on in a nation-wide manner.  Trump now blames the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) for not providing needed information soon enough.  NO DONALD – THEY HAD PROTOCOLS AND TESTS OUT BEFORE YOU ORDERED NO FLIGHTS IN FROM CHINA!  (see the timeline in my last post).

Lives might have been saved had Trump not demurred, doubting the science and reacting with ‘too little, too late.’ Testing was abominable, and too restricted.  Nationwide guidelines were not made imperative for everyone and they failed to flatten the trajectory of the disease.  A lead agency and lead person were never in place and confusion reigned as to who was in charge and what guidelines to follow (although natural leaders appeared who gave us direction and a bit of hope).

Worst of all perhaps, we forgot our federalism, and made states responsible for their own survival, rather than providing the leadership of the federal government in concert with the states and their officeholders, and the front-line warriors.

Thank goodness that Congress realized its role in federalism and stepped up to pass stimulus bills in a timely manner by overwhelming bi-partisan votes. As well, the CDC kept fulfilling its mission by providing information and guidelines based on scientific facts and models. 

Without  heroes on the front lines – the first responders, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, cleaning staff, medical work managers, and associates of many functions -- we could never have begun to get through this in any  way that would leave us with hope or vitality.  The people in apartments, and the firemen and women in front of NYC hospitals had it right – giving deserved applause and heart-felt thanks to our front-line troops in this war.  They know that it’s not over – we have miles to go before we can rest.  But those good people also know that we have to start now to change that which doesn’t work and to build on bold ideas, concepts, best practices and innovations that have the potential to help us now and in the future when we face another crisis.

Here are just a few thoughts I’ve started considering.  One of the roots that stimulated them is an article that is a compendium of ideas for change and reform collected from various sources by the MAGAZINE section of Politico.  Any quotes used below are from that source unless otherwise indicated.

“Civic Federalism” – it occurs to me that what this crisis (and every other area of critical importance when all states need to act as one) -- under the direction and coordination of the federal government -- is not socialism but a national ‘civic’ federalism. 

One of the many factors that helped shape the new Constitution in 1787 was the difficulty General Washington had with the independent colonies in gathering personnel and monetary support for the Revolutionary War he was leading against the British.  In a useful Guide to the United States Constitution, author Richard Beeman, Professor of History at University of Pennsylvania, gives us this glimpse into the ‘united states’ under the Articles of Confederation:

“The fifty-five men who gathered in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House in the summer of 1787 faced a formidable task.  The thirteen “united states” that comprised the American union under the Articles of Confederation were in fact profoundly disunited.  America, by the extraordinary expanse of its territory, the ethnic and religious diversity of its population, and the existence of thirteen independent and sovereign states, each possessing distinct and political traditions and a multitude of varying and competing interests, was by no means inevitably meant to be a single nation.”

The Framers faced a difficult dilemma.  One  prevalent underlying belief was that centralized government power “was inherently aggressive, inherently dangerous,” as demonstrated by British monarchy. Some of the revolutionists believed that “the best way to protect personal liberties was “to keep government relatively weak and…close to the people, where those entrusted with power could be closely watched.”  The very last thing that a goodly number wished to do was create a strong central government, distant and isolated from the people of the country.  “Yet…America’s patriot leaders knew some form of central government was necessary to fight and win a war against one of the world’s great military powers and thus achieve…independence.”

“As the year 1786 drew to a close, with the Continental government facing bankruptcy, and with armed insurrection threatening peace and public order in Massachusetts, those political leaders…began to realize that dramatic action needed to be taken if they were going to preserve…both liberty and order.”

  James Madison in Federalist paper #39 defended the concept and declared that it helped make the government both federal and national.

Today, we share the same dilemma.  In the face of this invisible dangerous enemy named COVID19, should the federal government take dramatic action to fight this war against this virulent virus that threatens the lives of tens of thousands of our people?  Or, as we have been led to believe, should the federal government merely lend “back-up” support to the states as the managers of this fight, with the people acting individually to slow the progression by appropriate actions as suggested by scientists and health professionals? 

This is not the time to debate the age-old question of federal versus state.  It is not in our interest nor is it healthy to have such a paralyzing political discussion that does nothing more than render us as bankrupt as the Confederation in 1786.  The compromises made long ago to balance out governmental powers, and the tests of that throughout our history, should enable us to realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can use great federal power when we need it without compromising the status of our states and our union.  We can nationalize efforts on behalf of the whole nation and come out the other side with a return to balanced government resuming its normal pursuits of order and personal liberty.

In WWII, for example, we had nationalizing of industries to make sure we had the equipment to enable us to fight; we had rationing of supplies and goods and food to make sure we had enough for everybody; we collected and donated certain items like tin cans and worn out tires for the increased manufacture of war materiel and other necessities.  We volunteered to help by buying war bonds and assisting neighbors.  And the Roosevelt administration took extraordinary efforts to find jobs for the unemployed.  We lived and worked for the centralized war effort but  also viewed it as a personal responsibility. 

The centralized federal and widespread national effort was a necessity, just as it is now in this fight against COVID19.  We need the full power of federal, state and local governments working in concert to vanquish this awful enemy.  The battle against this common enemy might just promote a greater national solidarity and approach to major crises and major problems.

“The Reagan era is over.  The widely accepted idea that government is inherently bad won’t persist after coronavirus.  This event is global evidence that a functioning government is crucial for a healthy society.”

“The coronavirus might sow the seeds of a new civic federalism in which states and localities become centers of justice, solidarity and far-sighted democratic problem-solving.”

 

By realizing that a strong central government is not the enemy of the people nor the source of problems like disease, violence or homelessness, it can be the functional provider of workable and just solutions for many of our problems.  But, only if we can get beyond party differences and special interest greediness to actually employ the vast resources and expertise of our government agencies and their professionals to solve such crises and problems. .  

“The ascendance of kindness and goodness –of a ‘generosity of spirit and action’- during this crisis suggests that “now is the time for profound change in our cultural and political discourse.”  Here are a few more suggestions of attitudes and beliefs that may revive or improve due to this pandemic:

uwe need to return to having faith in science and in experts.  For too long, we have abandoned our scientists and experts as “nerds” or “brains,” as a kind of cast (‘caste’?) of characters separate from our own lives. During the impeachment proceedings, and now under the strain and stress of this pandemic, we have taken a shine to many of these professional civil servants, not only because of their expertise but because of their courage and fortitude.  Suddenly, a Dr. Fauci has gained national prominence and recognition, like a rock star or athletic hero (unfortunately needing secret service protection from those who are forever threatened by what they do not understand – facts and truth).

uthis pandemic has made government more visible and a source of guidance; even bringing help and hope from unexpected places.  Who would have thought that Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, would have been someone that people would tune in to hear on an almost daily basis?  For that matter, when did governors and state governments ever receive this much attention?  We need to harness the energy and grass roots experience of this  this branch of our government in more ways than holding phone calls, conferences or annual meetings.

“Not only will America need a massive dose of big government to get out of this crisis – as Washington’s swift passage of a giant economic bailout package reflects – but we will need big, and wise, government more than ever in its aftermath.” (The Code: Silicon Valley and the   Remaking of America by Margaret O’Mara)

usome of the “rules” (and “myths”) no longer apply.

                                               i.     Legislation to bring monetary help to victims of COVID19 passed within days instead of months;

                                             ii.     Research sped up;

                                            iii.     Medicines used even though not yet through formal approval protocol;

                                           iv.     Changes in strategies to meet demands on people and institutions like hospitals

                                             v.     freezes on payments and penalties to ease financial burdens of ordinary people

“It’s clear in a crisis, the rules don’t apply – which makes you wonder why they are rules in the first place. This is an unprecedented opportunity to not just hit the pause button…but to permanently change the rules so that untold millions of people aren’t so vulnerable to begin with.” (Democracy May Not Exist, but We’ll Miss It When Its Gone by Astra Taylor)

After all, if evictions can be stopped, or foreclosures stopped for  inability to pay the mortgage, people can be excused from penalties for late payments and some debtors granted relief or student loans or interest cancelled, new hospital beds and areas built up in days, is it any longer realistic to presume that:

§  some fees for lateness on utilities or bank loans can’t be reduced or eliminated?

§  housing can’t be built within days for the homeless

§  renters can’t have as many rights as landlords?

§  paid sick leave can ‘t be made a right for all workers?

§  medicines can’t be approved in a more rapid manner?

§  adequate affordable health care for all is not desirable and achievable?

This epidemic should teach us that some of “the rules we have lived under

were unnecessary, and simply made society more brittle and unequal.”  It’s time to question “the rules” promulgated for us, and to denounce those politicians who tell us what’s possible and what’s not (and then exempt themselves from those same rules!). 

Hopefully, you get the idea that reform and substantive change is more than rules and regulations, or policies and procedures.  Part of change is the attitudes and beliefs (or myths) we bring to bear upon our daily rounds and habits, our biases and prejudices.    

Every so often, something happens that shakes up those structures and biases, and we begin to wonder: is there something more that I am missing?  One of the authors cited in the Politico compendium put it this way:

“This current plague time might see a recharged commitment to a…worldview that recognizes we have a short time on earth, the Doomsday Clock is a minute from midnight, and living peacefully and meaningfully together is going to take much more than bed-making and canny investments.  A more expansive and braver approach to everyday existence is now crucial so that we don’t fall in line with Trump-like tyrannies… orthodoxy, and environmentally and physiologically devastating behaviors” This one devastating event could “force us to reconsider who we are and what we value and…help us rediscover the better version of ourselves.” 

It could reorient us “from a “market-based emphasis on hyper-individualism” to substantial new investments in public goods and services as we find new ways to support each other.”  We could see a healthier and more robust digital lifestyle, the rise of telemedicine, stronger universally available family care and healthcare, greater attention to vulnerable and minority populations, voting by mail and/or internet, stronger domestic supply chains, and simply a “braver approach to everyday life.”

There is much more to be said in terms of specific steps for changes we might make that grow out of our current circumstances. I have spoken before of many of these.   Let me conclude with references to some of the deeper-dive changes I have managed to present for your consideration on this Blog (perhaps you might like to read some of them at your leisure!):

v Amendments to the Constitution – 6/20/10; 5/26/14; 10/13/15;

v Changes in schools and public education – 9/26/10; 10/6/10; 9/1/13; 5/18/16

v Voting Rights – 11/9/18

v Revolutionary reform – 7/4/14; 7/20/18; 12/21/18

v Automatic Universal Voter Enrollment – 6/17/19

v Electoral College Abolished—1/27/13;

v Congressional process changes – 12/17/11; 2/3/13; 3/23/14; 3/10/20;10/30/15

v Representation changes – 2/26/17

v Strengthening of federalism and balance of powers – 7/21/14; 1/12/15

v Affordable Healthcare for all – 5/1/11; 10/23/11; 7/2/12; 7/8/12; 8/18/13; 9/29/13

v National and Community Service—10/27/17; 2/8/16

v Changing the Qualifications and Duties of Political Offices – 5/8/19

v Closing Offices to Unqualified People—2/20/19

v Border Crossings and Immigration – 4/21/13; 9/15/13; 1/11/19; 1/21/19

v Foreign Aid Principles – 2/8/11; 2/13/11; 2/20/11

v Redefining our Mission and Purpose—7/4/15; 1/10/16

v Paying attention to Process – 6/29/19; 3/10/20

v Changing the way Congress Functions – 12/23/11; 1/8/12; 11/14/18

v Revising the Tax Code – 2/28/11; 1/6/13; 4/18/15;

v Preparing for a Future that is already here – 4/8/18; 9/4/16

v Getting Back to Constitutional Basics – the real Revolution – 7/29/18; 6/19/17

v Budgets are instruments of morality—3/3/16; 10/5/15

v Protect our workers – 5/9/11; 5/15/11;

v Values Matter -- 8/14/17

v Principles of a New Social Contract – “Well-faring” – 5/24/18; 3/3/16

v Where do all those taxes go? 4/18/15; 3/3/16; 3/10/16

v Separation of Church and State—2/18/12; 12/3/13;

v Problem-solving technique is a necessity for all officeholders – 8/14/11

v NRA and other Lobbyists must go – 12/15/12; 1/20/13; 5/13/13; 3/14/18

v Authoritarian Government -- a pattern that Trump follows—2/5/18; 8/6/17; 11/17/15; 11/21/15; 11/30/15; 11/23/16

v Compromise is not always the best strategy 11/14/18

v Defending Public Servants – 7/9/11

As we shelter-in-place, and leisure time needs filling, let us consider the lessons we are learning.  And, let us resolve to come out of this pandemic with a new sense of our human interdependence and our mutual humane responsibility for the well-being of all.  Let us build on the heroism as well as the painful experiences of many of our brothers and sisters to acknowledge our overwhelming need to heal, to comfort (strengthen) and to sacrifice on behalf of our human family and our own circle of loved ones.  Let the grace and power of your love reach out to others, and let that same power and grace come into your life to lift us all to a new way of caring, of living and of governing.  Be well, be strong, be safe.  But most of all, find renewal and make ready for opportunities to pay forward the goodness that will resurrect our lives and our society.     

   

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