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March 27, 2020
Quote of the Week: "When people start talking about 20% of a population getting infected, it's very scary, but we don't have data that matches that based on our experience. The media make the implication that when they need a hospital bed it's not going to be there, or a ventilator, it's not going to be there, we don't have evidence of that. It's our job collectively to assure the American people. There is no model right now -- no reality on the ground where we can see that 60% to 70% of Americans are going to get infected in the next eight to 12 weeks. I want to be clear about that."
In This Issue:
EMERGENCIES BREED TYRANNY Watchdogs, if there was ever a time for vigilance, that time is now. While the Chinese Virus is clearly a public health emergency, it shouldn’t serve as a platform or an excuse to trammel the constitution, eliminate transparency, and pass into law all manner of things that wouldn’t pass muster during normal times. In short, an emergency shouldn’t give government carte blanche. Thus far, we’ve seen government seek to take increasing stakes in the private economy, impose restrictions and invade citizen privacy at an unprecedented level, and push for public policies that wouldn’t see the light of day in normal times. While Washington is still dickering over a “stimulus” bill that has passed the Senate but not the House, it’s appalling to see what has been proposed. Here is a list of some of those things, some of which will become law and some that won’t. Would allow certain funding to go to sanctuary cities. Under “Overreaching Mandates on Businesses”: Permanent changes to who can serve on corporate boards of directors for companies that receive assistance for payroll and operating costs. Mandatory disclosure on supply chain management. Requires board diversity disclosure for all publicly traded companies. Ban on all federal rulemaking including non-COVID 19 proposals (extends 30 days after emergency) “in an attempt to delay the current administration from promulgating actions House Democrats disagree with.” Under “New Permanent Mandates”: Virtually rewrites the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program policy with no reference to COVID-19 and permanently disallows rulemaking pertaining to work requirements and eligibility. Permanent expansion of Obamacare entitlement, “putting the American taxpayer on the hook for endless and unchecked health insurance spending and would remove all incentives for insurers to reduce the cost of health insurance.” Limits Customs and Border Patrol’s ability to shutdown processing centers if there is a health crisis on the border and requires CBP to assure the timely adjudication of asylums applications. Requires the Homeland Security Department to automatically extend visas and work authorizations expiring within the next year, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status, for an amount of time equal to their prior visa, authorization or status. Mandates how states must run elections, including the nationalization of ballot harvesting, requiring early voting, same day registration, and no-excuse vote by mail. Puts states at risk of costly litigation if they are unable to implement these stringent mandates ahead of the 2020 election. $10,000 blanket loan forgiveness. Includes expansive new tax-credit for solar and wind energy. Requires all airlines that receive assistance to offset carbon emissions for domestic flights by 2025. Includes a $1 billion “cash for clunkers” airplane program where the Transportation Department buys fuel-inefficient planes from airlines in exchange for agreeing to buy new ones. Requires a labor union representative on every airline’s board of directors. Multiemployer pension bailout lacking needed reforms. Permanently raises the minimum wage to $15 for any business that receives federal aid for COVID-19. Cancels all debt owed by the U.S. Postal Service to the Treasury. Nullifies the White House executive orders on federal collective bargaining and codifies taxpayer-funded union official time. Language ensuring that the FDA reviews newer and more novel ingredients for over-the-counter sunscreen products in a timely fashion. Never let a crisis go to waste, they say. PROFILE IN COURAGE Kudos to State Rep. Peggy Scott (R – Andover) who took to the floor of the Minnesota House yesterday to decry Governor Walz naming abortion providers as an essential health service in one of his executive orders promulgated under a declared Peacetime Emergency. Rep. Scott noted that this order means that doctors performing elective abortions (most are) will be using scarce medical products and equipment that could be otherwise used in emergency rooms and other facilities on the front lines of the virus fight. She is right on the issue and courageous to stand up and say something. GOOD READING Given all the fake news and junk science masquerading as expert opinion, here are some articles and opinion pieces that offer a good perspective on the Chinese Virus. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/opinions-trump-understands-what-his-critics-dont-the-current-lockdown-is-unsustainable/ar-BB11L89F https://dailycaller.com/2020/03/26/neil-ferguson-coronavirus-imperial-college-doomsday/ https://issuesinsights.com/2020/03/27/if-the-covid-19-models-are-wrong-what-does-this-mean-for-climate-models/ https://amgreatness.com/2020/03/22/the-virus-is-not-invincible-but-its-exposing-whos-irreplaceable/ https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/17/a-fiasco-in-the-making-as-the-coronavirus-pandemic-takes-hold-we-are-making-decisions-without-reliable-data/ https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-exploit-control-of-pharmaceutical-exports-by-brahma-chellaney-2020-03 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/03/27/all_we_have_to_fear_is_the_msm_itself_142788.html#2 |
 Harold Hamilton
Welcome to my web site!
I created this website in response to governmental waste and abuse in Anoka County. Many taxpayers don’t know that our local governments spend millions of tax dollars every year on things like public relations teams, lobbyists, and junkets to places like Hawaii. Since there seemed to be no place to turn for the “other side” of these issues, I created the Anoka County Watchdog. My intent is to create a one-stop-shop where concerned taxpayers can find fact-supported information and other resources to counter the governmental machine. Many people want to confront their elected officials regarding waste and abuse but feel they don’t have the information they need to make an effective argument. This web site offers that information. Some of our elected officials in Anoka County have become arrogant and unresponsive, forgetting that they work for the very people who put them in office. It’s high time to hold them accountable for their decisions. Sincerely, Harold E. Hamilton (harold@anokacountywatchdog.com) Email: harold@anokacountywatchdog.com
US Mail: Anoka County Watchdog C/O K Solutions LLC 3083 Victoria Street Roseville, MN 55113 (Anonymous submissions accepted!) |
