ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
Our State Representative, Steve Johnson, “The Maskless Marvel,” appears to be so obsessed with making Gov. Gretchen Whitmer look bad that he’s willing to make taxpayers pay for her alleged indiscretions.
I’m writing about his shepherding a bill through the Michigan House this week that would force us working stiffs to pick up the tab for whatever financial harm businesses may have suffered because of her policies in combatting the Coronavirus.
I’m amazed that a politician would insist us taxpayers foot the bill for something that would be difficult to determine and put an unnecessary burden on people who are already struggling financially.
Johnson posted on Facebook Tuesday:
“Today we passed House Bill 4501, which would force the state to repay the unconstitutional fines of business owners. It would also ensure business owners are given leniency on their first offense. If the Governor can violate her orders without any repercussions, then why should our business owners be fined?”
Johnson earlier posted, “Photos surfaced over the weekend showing Gov. Whitmer in open violation of her own administration’s orders regarding restaurant capacity restrictions. In light of this, I have sent a letter to Governor Whitmer calling on her to refund all fines against businesses that violated her COVID-19 mandates. Why should small businesses be fined for failing to follow the Governor’s orders when even the Governor doesn’t follow them?”
His bill passed 74-54. At first glance it appears to be giving Big Gretch her deserved comeuppance, but some critical thinking tells us otherwise.
The photo indeed showed her and friends in a restaurant without masks and sitting more than six at a table. The governor must plead innocent to the first charge and guilty to the second, and she has apologized.
Whitmer announced last Friday that all people who have been vaccinated twice don’t have to wear masks indoors. Twenty-fours hours before the photo appeared. So… no foul. However, the maximum of six people at a table was rescinded Monday, two days after the picture was taken.
I seriously doubt there was a crime committed here, but I think she deserves a fine for the six people “offense.” Let her pay, not Michigan’s taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson has spent a great deal of time over the last several months railing against a governor who chose to try to protect the public health rather than adhere to a political philosophy that Johnson and his ilk have misappropriated and abused for too long.
Mr. Johnson has demonstrated a hatred for our governor that is over the top, much like what Ranger Rick charges many he diagnoses with “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Mr. Johnson has consistently refused to wear a mask to respect others during a pandemic that has killed nearly 600,000, showing callous, selfish disregard. Even worse, he has gone to bat for those who also refuse to mask up in public indoor settings, such as restaurants.
To be sure, the legislator is throwing red meat to his supporters, making it good politics, but bad and perhaps even dangerous policy.
But his fans are loving it.
I don’t see where the U.S. Constitution, which Johnson professes to follow so closely, has ever declared hypocrisy a crime. Otherwise, Mr. Johnson and his pals today would be in the hoosegow as well.
Stop the personal politics of hatred and division. We have serious problems we’re trying to deal with here. Beating up on the governor doesn’t solve them.
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