North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest asks Gov. Roy Cooper to give North Carolinians their freedoms back.
Forest is the Republican candidate for governor running against Cooper, who is a Democrat, in the November general election.
In a press release on Wednesday, May 6, Forest questions why some entities like big box stores have entirely different regulations for gatherings than churches or restaurants. Under the Phase 1 restrictions, churches are limited to indoor gatherings of a maximum of 10 people while stores are allowed up to 50 percent of their legal occupancy.
He also asks why people can be trusted to social distance at parks but not in outdoor dining at restaurants, which continues to be outlawed under the Phase 1 restrictions.
Forest states, “When we have over one million citizens on unemployment (with less than half of those receiving benefits), countless medical surgeries and screenings delayed, and businesses on the brink of permanent closure, it is time to do everything possible to give people a chance to live and utilize their God-given freedom once again. If we are able to social distance outside at parks, why are we not able to do the same in outdoor seating at restaurants? If we are able to congregate at 50% capacity in big box stores, why can we not do the same with social distancing at our houses of worship? It is way past due for the Governor to shift strategies and put measures in place that restore our freedoms in a responsible manner.”
During a state of emergency the governor has the power to issue orders that have the force of law and cannot be challenged by the legislature. Forest in his press release indicates this power may have gone to Cooper’s head.
Forest states, “The Governor’s Phase 1 rollout makes it clear that he feels that only he can protect us from this virus. He does not believe that North Carolinians have enough self-control, restraint, or common sense to act responsibly in a world with COVID-19. While his announcement finally recognized that all jobs are essential, his new order changes very little across our state. For a state that prides itself on being ‘First in Freedom,’ the Governor has repeatedly denied North Carolinians the freedom to make decisions for themselves, their families, and their livelihoods. I understand completely the cautious approach that he and governors around the country took two months ago, where there was so much uncertainty around how this virus could attack someone. However, with all the data publicly available from other states, there is no need to continue using fear to drive policy decisions.”
Unfortunately our society is filled with people who believe no one has the right to take away their rights. Well Mr Gump, where is my right not to be exposed because the guy sitting In the restaurant I was in a few months ago used the me a room and. Ever washed his hands when coming back to his table. Oh by the way , please pass the ketchup bottle to me along with your germs. When you loose friends and family like I have to this virus then you can speak with some authority. Let’s keep God out of this discussion.
If you are not comfortable with the sanitation at a restaurant or any other establishment, you have the right to leave and not return.
How hard is that to figure out?
I agree 100%. Why should people have the privilege to drive when my niece was killed because a woman was texting while driving? There’s no need for driver’s licenses or cars for that matter, as people have been walking all over the earth since the dawn of mankind. My niece would still be alive if that pos had been walking instead of driving a 1 ton death machine. 10’s of thousands of people die every year as a result of cars and cellphones, so I believe they shouldn’t be allowed to exist because it would save thousands of lives every year if people would only give up their selfish desire to get somewhere quickly. I mean granted it would shut down the economy and a lot of people would lose their homes, family and probably starve to death because they can’t get to work or farm or drive to the grocery store. And sure, some old people would die because they can no longer drive to the hospital or pharmacy to get their meds, but I wouldn’t have lost my niece, so why should everyone else’s needs override her life and thousands of others?
You’re exactly right, your life and your family is FAR more important than MY life and my family. So glad I got to read your post so I could realize just how selfish I’ve been for wanting to work and feed,clothe and shelter my family! Thank Allah that there’s such a wonderful thoughtful person out there whose over-inflated sense of self-worth and self-righteousness trumps the rest of America’s.
Dan Forest has my vote for governor! He makes sense, puts people of the state first, and believes North Carolinians are quite capable of deciding if they are “safe” or not. Elect Dan Forest governor (assuming there is still an election and we are not under a dictatorship).
A Book does not make policy. A fact book does. “Rights” are not just so, they are “privileges” allowed by our constitution. 2/3 of the states can add to, delete from, replace, or rescind any of these “privileges”. That is why the LEFT has to pick away at our privileges, because they can’t get 2/3 of the states on divisive issues.
In my opinion, in order for Mr. Forest to be elected, he should convey conservative, common-sense values. Thumping the Bible always annoys some people, and Mr. Forest needs to avoid that.