King Inslee

Frank’s Essay - Rule by Dictator

Governor Inslee recently relented on his decision to move several counties from phase three of his reopening plan back to phase two. He has published a set of criteria for moving toward the new normal. The list of those counties that failed to meet the criteria included King County and the populated areas on the east rim of Puget Sound. Spokane County was concerned that many businesses would not survive moving back to the more stringent lockdowns. The real kicker, however, were the cities of Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle. Someone needs to convince me the Governor’s decision wasn’t based on politics. He feared for his popularity if he forced Seattle and Tacoma to stricter measures. Or, it could be he has finally come to the conclusion that his draconian mask and social distancing edicts have not worked.

I am still looking for evidence that the Governor’s requirements for masks and social distancing have made a positive impact. I haven’t found any. I have heard CDC spokesmen and Dr Fauci telling us that avoiding gatherings and masking up will stop the spread of the virus. Some of what they say makes sense, but I haven’t seen any proof. I have seen evidence that indicates government dictated measures don’t make any difference. Rural Eastern Washington seemed to be sheltered from the virus until last September when we had a surge of cases in Whitman County. The Governor publicly blamed college students returning to Washington State University. He claimed the spike in cases was due to students being irresponsible and not following his guidelines. Ten miles away college kids returning to the University of Idaho were just as irresponsible, but there was no surge. I watched the TV news broadcast comparing locked down California with wide open Florida. There was no significant difference in the number of cases. I personally observe northeast Washington, where masks are absolutely mandatory, and the Idaho panhandle, where bare faces are the norm, and find no significant difference in the rate of cases. I visited Seattle a few weeks ago and found people wearing masks everywhere. I didn’t see anyone on the street without face coverings. I even saw a lady in a kayak in the middle of Lake Union dutifully wearing her mask. Yet, the rate of cases in King County is higher that ever and currently surging to new heights. Wearing masks and hiding away at home hasn’t worked. The Governor’s answer is to lockdown even more.

How long do we allow this governor to be a dictator? His emergency powers under the Washington State Constitution are limited to 30 days. We are now in the sixteenth month of one-man rule. The recent legislative session was more concerned with finding ways to get more money out of the sate’s taxpayers than they were about the Governor’s abuse of power. The Governor’s party controls both houses of the legislature, and they brushed away suggestions that his power be limited on a straight party line vote. As a result, his dictatorship continues to be absolute. One man can decide whether or not any given business can be summarily closed. One man can decide whether or not you can go to the movies. One man can decide to limit the number of mourners allowed at a funeral. One man can determine how many people are allowed inside the church for your daughter’s wedding. One man can outlaw a family backyard barbeque.

If you know anything about me, you will know I am not a Trump fan. He continues to be a jerk, but I agree with his statement at the beginning of the pandemic when he cautioned that the cure could have worse consequences than the disease. We are beyond that point. The economic devastation is catastrophic and the country is descending into depression. The Governor’s abuse of power needs to stop.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over twenty years.