Principles matter. They always matter. Of course, you wouldn’t know that looking at the modern American political landscape.
One principle, which has long been lost, is that the people should NEVER, EVER turn politicians into heroes or saviors. If a politician does what is right, give him credit. If he does what is wrong, give him blame.
Unfortunately, Americans have made the political class into heroes and villains. If they’re on your team, they’re heroes. If they’re on the other team, they’re villains. Stop playing that political game and start watching what the politicians do.
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces a big test this week which will show if he has any principles or not.
DeSantis was presented with multiple bills last Thursday, one being Senate Bill 7014. That bill was approved 87-13 in the Florida House and 22-13 in the Florida Senate. That bill was written and supported by DeSantis’ party.
SB 7014 extends legal immunity to hospitals and healthcare providers for following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) orders while destroying medical choice of patients. According to The Epoch Times, the bill’s supporters “say the measure still is needed to help healthcare facilities stay solvent during the pandemic.”
DeSantis has until this Thursday to take action on the bill, according to Health News Florida. The state is one of 29 that has already provided such immunity, but it is set to expire on March 29 while SB 7014 extends the immunity to June 1 of 2023.
Two other bills that were sent to DeSantis last Thursday were already signed. Those bills give DeSantis power to spend $500 million in taxpayer funds when an emergency is declared.
As for SB 7014, a letter has been sent to DeSantis that was signed by 21 medical freedom organizations as well as Dr. Robert Malone.
The letter states that the groups do not have a problem with some liability protections “that are correctly implemented,” but SB 7014 protections are “based on following government treatment protocols.”
“Government issued health standards (or ‘treatment protocols’) include the CDC’s Covid-19 guidelines which many say aren’t working. Some medical professionals have stated that these CDC protocols have led to unnecessary medicines, ventilation and deaths. With SB 7014 in it’s current form health care providers could simply follow the CDC’s guidelines against their patient’s wishes and remain free from liability.”
The letter adds that “what has happened – on countless occasions – and will continue to happen in Florida if this law is adopted, is that Floridians are being denied treatment, checked into hospitals and cut-off from their loved ones and medical decision makers. At that point the patient loses control and the hospital uses the protocols they decide in many cases not even following the patient’s care decisions.”
Will DeSantis do what is right? If DeSantis does what is wrong, will his supporters hold him accountable?