Even Republicans Don't Believe Their Arguments Against Biden's Vaccine Mandate
Republicans have declared war on President Joe Bidens plan to mandate vaccinations against the coronavirus. They say Bidens planwhich covers federal workers, health care workers, government contractors, and companies that employ 100 or more peopleviolates individual rights and exceeds the presidents constitutional authority. Its a serious argument, but it isnt being seriously presented. Instead, Bidens opponents are arguing both sides of every question. Theyre doing anything they can to obstruct a solution as the virus kills thousands of people each week.
The simplest argument against the mandate is that no one should be fired for refusing an injection. You shouldnt have to make the choice of keeping your job or getting a jab in the arm, says Pete Ricketts, the Republican governor of Nebraska. But Bidens plan offers another optioninstead of getting a COVID shot, you can show a negative test at least once a weekand Republicans say thats still too intrusive. Such rigorous testing procedures are an infringement of every citizens fundamental rights, says Sen. Josh Hawley. Other Republicans agree. They wont accept mandatory injection, and they wont accept reasonable alternatives.
The GOPs next objection is that employers, not government, should decide whether to require vaccination as a workplace policy. But when employers choose that policy, Republicans attack them. Rep. Andy Biggs, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, complains about the private sector imposing vaccine rules. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who calls Bidens plan an assault on private businesses, has issued two executive orders barring vaccine mandates by any private entity that receives public funds. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another self-styled libertarian, attacks Bidens mandate while bragging about a new Florida law that prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Sen. Ted Cruz says the federal government has no authority to force businesses to require vaccination, but he has filed federal legislation to bar companies from imposing such mandates. In fact, Cruz complains that Bidens mandate is a fig leaf for Fortune 500 companies that want to vaccinate their workers.
Sometimes Republicans argue that anyone whos afraid of COVID can get adequate protection through vaccination, so theres no need to force vaccination on anyone else. If the vaccine protects, why do the vaccinated need protecting? asks Rep. Jim Jordan. But at other times, Republicans challenge the efficacy of vaccines. I have friends who have actually picked up the virus after being vaccinated, says Rep. Claudia Tenney. She concedes that the vaccine wont prevent you from getting infected, yet she insists that unvaccinated people are entitled to make their own decision, as though that decision affects nobody else. Tenney, DeSantis, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and many other Republicans specifically defend unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers, who are ideally positioned to infect vulnerable people.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/even-republicans-dont-believe-their-arguments-against-bidens-vaccine-mandate/ar-AAOxQI9
They talk through their collective asses.