By Ray Cardello for May 8, 2021. Season 1 / Post 112

Subsidiarity is a new word for me but a significant meaning for everyone, even if you never heard of it. It is interesting when you search for the definition of the word; many references attribute the origin to a Catholic philosophy:

One of the primary principles of Catholic social thought is known as the principle of subsidiarity. This tenet holds that nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organization which can be done as well by a smaller and simpler organization. In other words, any activity which can be performed by a more decentralized entity should be. This principle is a bulwark of limited government and personal freedom.

The term has a foundation in religion, business, and government. It is the basis for Libertarian and most Conservative thinking. The government, especially the Federal Government, should not be charged with making decisions that should be made at the State, Local, or individual level. One of the reasons for this is that we are a Republic, a collection of 50 individual states. People in New Hampshire have far different needs and wants than people in Arizona. We have different cultures, geography, economy, and even climate. There are very few decisions that can be made on any topic that might be suitable to the people of either state. If this is the case for two states, how could we perceive any law right for all 50? We cannot, and nobody can make a contrary case. Thus the need for making as many decisions as possible at the local level.

The mandates born of the current Pandemic are a good example. Many of the restrictions imposed on us all were based on the worst-case scenarios of the states with the highest population densities. Mask mandates for New York, where people live in extremely close proximity, would never apply to Montana, where you need binoculars to see your neighbor. But that is what happened. The Federal Government took control and imposed the best for all philosophy for everyone. It was a lazy and wrong philosophy. Donald Trump relied on Dr. Fauci to set the path to lead us out of the grip of COVID. Unfortunately, Dr. Fauci was erratic and inconsistent in his decisions and the decisions applied differently for every state. It created a dysfunctional approach and may have significantly slowed our recovery. Biden takes the Fauci plan to a higher level and is now developing a hostage situation where eventual freedom will depend on when all Americans are vaccinated. This total level of vaccinations includes children. This situation is creating a huge dilemma for many parents, and rightfully so.

Vaccination should be a personal decision between the individual and their medical support team. Never should it be a decision made by elected officials in Washington or any statehouse. This is already evolving to schools from K-16, possibly requiring vaccination before acceptance in the fall. Employers may require vaccination as a condition of employment. Neighbors may ostracize folks who are in the neighborhood and not vaccinated. We are setting up a divisive situation that may divide neighbors, friends, and even relatives. A very sad situation, indeed.

One more example is the School Board meeting in Utah last evening that was disrupted when parents wanted to be heard on their demand that their children be able to attend school without masks. It has been scientifically proven that children are virtually immune to COVID and cannot be speakers of the disease. The meeting turned ugly when the Board allowed members of the Teacher’s Union and a state senator address the Board but would only allow on parent to speak. The meeting was shut down and there may be charges brought against some parents. Parents who just wanted their voices heard. This is not how the Democrat process works or maybe it is in this new normal.

There are decisions that need to be made on the National level. Security, monetary concerns, the Military and trade interactions between America and the world. Unfortunately, over time, the Federal Government involved themselves in every aspect of our lives. For some, this was great as it made life easier with someone else pulling strings. For those of us of free mind and spirit, this would never work. This past year has brought us to a pivotal position. As the government took over more of our lives, it is now being met with intense resistance. Many of us are hoping for a backlash effect and a significant turnover of elected politicians at the 2022 midterms and even more so in 2024. In the meantime we will fight with our voices and words until we can fight with our votes.