When the history of the Coronavirus in United States History is written, historians will divide the American populace and their leaders into two camps.
The first one led by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and most of the country, will show a commitment to follow scientific facts, reality, and good governance to overcome the harshest effects of COVID 19.
The other group, comprised of about a quarter of the country, is led by either Science Denying-Know Nothing fringe simpletons or pandering Governors looking to score political points with the Anti-Mask and Anti Vaccination Trump Zone base of the former party of Lincoln.
Since President Joe Biden outlined his steps on September 9, 2021, to increase the number of people receiving the COVID 19 vaccination, several of the usual suspects among Republican Governors (Greg Abbott, Kristi Noem, Brian Kemp, and Ron DeSantis) are rumbling about legal action to contest the White House moves to save people’s lives.
Mr. Biden, who chastised Republican leaders in his speech to the American People and blamed them for enabling and encouraging the lower than needed vaccination numbers and the surge in the Coronavirus Delta Variant, commented:
“I am so disappointed that particularly some Republican governors have been so cavalier with the health of these kids, so cavalier with the health of their communities. This is what this is. We’re playing for real here. This isn’t a game. And I don’t know of any scientist out there in this field that doesn’t think it makes considerable sense to do the six things I’ve suggested.”
When asked about the Republican possible legal action, The President said today (September 10, 2021,) “Have at it.”
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey should probably be included in the group of State Chief Executives that have disappointed Mr. Biden and in the 25 percent of the country that is dragging the rest of the nation down because of how they have handled the Coronavirus.
In comments after the President’s speech, Mr. Ducey relayed:
“Joe Biden has failed us on COVID. He ran for office on a promise to ‘shut down the virus.’ He has failed on this, much as he has failed on the border crisis and in Afghanistan. So now, President Biden’s plan is to shut down freedom. COVID-19 is a contagious disease, it is still with us and it will be for the foreseeable future. President Biden’s solution is hammering down on private businesses and individual freedoms in an unprecedented and dangerous way. Today marks another egregious big government overreach robbing Arizonans and all Americans of their fundamental rights to make their own decisions about their health and the health of their children. President Biden’s dictatorial approach is wrong, un-American, and will do far more harm than good. How many workers will be displaced? How many kids kept out of classrooms? How many businesses fined? The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective tools to prevent the disease, but getting the vaccine is and should be a choice. These mandates are outrageous. They will never stand up in court. We must and will push back.”
Laurie Roberts of AZ Central has already written an excellent column, calling out the hypocrisy of the Grand Canyon State Governor for calling Biden dictatorial when Mr. Ducey has done nothing but try to muzzle attempts at the local level to promote public safety and institute mask/vaccine mandates.
Just ask Arizona’s mayors like Tucson’s Regina Romero if she feels Mr. Ducey has dictatorial tendencies.
Governor Ducey also has tremendous chutzpah, saying Biden has failed to shut down the virus.
Look in a mirror Mr. Governor. It is your policies, not President Biden’s, or lack of them that is making people sick and, in some cases, killing them.
Arizonans and other Americans do not have the right to endanger others or cripple the national health care system by refusing to either wear a mask or receiving the Coronavirus vaccines.
Arizona Democrats have a different perspective than Mr. Ducey.
Not surprisingly, Arizona Democrats have a different perspective on the Biden speech and actions on September 9, 2021.
Arizona Democratic Party Chairperson Raquel Teran released the below statement.
“With an ineffectual and irresponsible politician like Doug Ducey at the helm in Arizona, I am incredibly grateful to have President Biden’s leadership in the White House. If our governor won’t protect us, it’s even more imperative that we have a president who will. It’s quite simple: Arizonans have a right to go to work without worrying that they’ll bring a deadly virus home with them, and parents have a right to send their children to school without worrying that they’ll get sick. Doug Ducey may be willing to play political hardball with the health and wellbeing of our families, but President Biden certainly is not. Enough is enough — it’s time to beat this virus once and for all.”
The Arizona Democratic Party also released statements from other leading Grand Canyon State Democrats.
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“Secretary of State Katie Hobbs: “Vaccines are our best path to defeat this pandemic and keep our economy open. This is the right move to protect Arizonans and our economic recovery.”
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Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman: “The policies @POTUS announced today are broadly supported by a majority of Arizonans. Controlling the virus has always been the key to ensuring safe in-person learning. Enough political games – our focus must be on accelerating student learning and helping schools recover.”
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Tucson Mayor Regina Romero: “Lives are on the line. Our economy and its recovery are on the line. Too much is on the line for us to just sit down and be afraid of those that are making the choice not to vaccinate.”
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Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego: “This is the critical action we need to appropriately fight this virus. It’s great to see strong leadership at a time when others have prioritized politics over science. Safety for every resident has & remains my top priority-this requirement will allow us to protect & save lives.”
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Congressman Ruben Gallego: “This is leadership. President Biden is doing what needs to be done to beat COVID-19. No ifs, ands, or buts—there is no reason to not get the shot if you are eligible. For months, we’ve had a safe and effective vaccine available for free and in ample supply. The time to wait is over. Get the shot, get the booster when it becomes available, and together we will get through this pandemic.”
Arizona’s two Democratic Senators, Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, also, according to AZ Central, issued statements following the Biden speech.
Senator Sinema said:
“I am grateful to Arizona employers that have already taken steps to protect our state’s workforce and communities, and I look forward to reviewing the details of how today’s announced policies will be implemented.”
Senator Kelly relayed that he was “hopeful that these steps will encourage more folks to speak to their doctors and get the vaccine.”
It is time for Republican Governors like Mr. Ducey to take into consideration the needs and safety of all the people they lead in their states instead of their party’s fringe base that does not care how many people die just so they can have personal freedom without personal responsibility.
It is time for the unvaccinated and Republican Governors like Mr. Ducey to be good citizens and think of others for a change instead of their selfish selves.
Wear a mask.
Get vaccinated.