1,500 PAGE SPENDING BILL HAS SECTION FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC!

Speaker Mike Johnson's new spending bill, if the claims circulating on social media and in some web reports are accurate, appears to include provisions that would allow for vaccine and mask mandates, the use of vaccine passports, expanded emergency powers, and funding for gain-of-function research.

• Vaccine and Mask Mandates: These mandates could be interpreted as an overreach of government control over personal health choices, conflicting with principles of individual liberty and freedom which were central to Trump's campaign.

• Vaccine Passports: This implies a system where one's ability to participate in society is contingent on vaccination status, which can be seen as discriminatory and a tool for surveillance, contrary to Trump's stance on freedom and privacy.

• Expanded Emergency Powers: Such powers could enable future administrations to bypass normal legislative checks, a scenario that many argue could lead to authoritarian governance, especially post-COVID where emergency measures have been criticized for being overused or misused.

• Gain-of-Function Research: Funding for this type of research, which involves enhancing the pathogenicity of viruses, is controversial, especially after allegations that it might have played a role in the origins of the COVID-19 virus. This raises concerns about potential risks versus benefits, particularly after the mishandling of information during the last pandemic.

Analysis:

• Indicative of Hidden Knowledge: The inclusion of these provisions might suggest that Congress or certain officials have information about upcoming health threats or pandemics that isn't being shared with the public. This secrecy can lead to distrust, as it implies a paternalistic approach where the government decides what's best without public input. The argument here is that if there's specific intelligence or scientific data prompting these measures, it should be transparent to foster trust rather than mandate compliance.

• Government Trust Issues Post-COVID: The management of the COVID-19 crisis has left many skeptical of government capabilities and intentions concerning public health:

  • Mismanagement: The mishandling of initial responses, conflicting advice on masks, lockdowns, and vaccine efficacy from health agencies have eroded public faith.

  • Lack of Accountability: There has been a perceived lack of accountability for decisions made under emergency powers, which were often criticized for their economic and social impacts without clear benefits.

  • Suppression of Dissent: The way alternative views on the virus, treatments, and vaccine policies were often suppressed or labeled as misinformation has led to a significant distrust in government communication.

  • Political Polarization: Health policies were seen by many as politically motivated, further damaging trust in government actions regarding pandemics.

• Why Trust Should Be Questioned:

  • Historical Precedence: The government's response to COVID-19, including initial downplaying of the virus's severity by some officials, abrupt policy U-turns, and the politicization of scientific advice, has shown that trust in government health directives might be misplaced.

  • Transparency and Accountability: Without clear, honest communication and accountability for past actions, any new emergency measures or research funding must be met with skepticism.

  • Censorship and Control: If the government can mandate health choices or passports, it suggests a level of control over personal freedoms that many find alarming, especially without a proven track record of good governance in health crises.

This bill could be viewed as an attempt to continue or expand upon what was seen as an overreaching, authoritarian approach to public health, one that doesn't learn from past mistakes but rather doubles down on them. It underscores the need for a return to policies that emphasize transparency, individual choice, and limited government intervention, aligning with Trump's philosophy of government serving the people, not dictating to them.