Can the government force everyone in this country to be vaccinated against the coronavirus when a vaccine becomes available? Let’s examine this from a civics and citizenship perspective, not through the lens of panic and fear.
One side of the debate says authoritatively that yes, the government can force you to be vaccinated. They cite precedent. But, not so fast.
We the People run the government indirectly through our elected representatives. (This is a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy). The U.S. Constitution limits and enumerates U.S. government powers. The government works for us, according to the Supreme Law of the Land.
If you claim that there is court precedent saying the government can force you to be vaccinated, that would mean that courts make law. Read Article III of the Constitution. Courts don’t make law. Article III is a quick, short read that spells out what courts do. Nowhere does it say that the court makes law. That’s the responsibility of the Legislative Branch. Check our Article I. You’ll notice that Article I is about 2.5 times the size of Article III. You’ll also notice how carefully the Founders spell out the duties of the Legislative Branch. They make the law, not judges.
If the legislative branch passes a law stating that everyone within the borders of the United States must receive the coronavirus vaccine, wouldn’t that put the government in charge of your body? What about foreign nationals in this country? Would they be subject to this law? What about your right to life, liberty, and property, which includes your body?
What about Due Process of Law? Shouldn’t any law NOT be unreasonable, arbitrarily applied, or oppressive?
The argument for forced vaccinations includes the idea that you are being vaccinated to protect others. It’s not about you, they say. It’s to protect others. You can be forced to be vaccinated for the “good of the community.” How do we determine if a vaccine is 100% safe for everybody? Or that this new vaccine will guarantee the death of coronavirus (eradication)?
How do we determine if it is right and proper to drag citizens into the doctor and forced to receive a shot? Where have we heard of this before in history?
Forced vaccines may be expedient, but are they wise? Are they constitutional? As citizens, we need to keep pace with the pros and cons of the vaccine and let our voices be heard.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. ??
