“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” – Voltaire
We can see an illustration of this quote in the behavior of certain politicians over the last month. The idea that preventing people from buying seeds or child seats can somehow prevent the spread of a disease is absurd, as is the belief that people sitting in their automobiles at a church parking lot are somehow at more risk of spreading disease than those sitting in their cars eating a meal ordered at a Sonic.
Yet we have officials who apparently believe that. Or simply enjoy imposing their wills on others by enforcing belief in absurdities.
It is nonsense, just as much of the security theater imposed after 9/11 was nonsense. And yes, it does lead to atrocities. Not necessarily the Pol Pot massacre of millions in pursuit of the absurdity of communism atrocities, at least not yet. But what would you call FBI agents routinely and cavalierly violating FISA protections for political gain? It may not rise to the level of Gulags and Nazi death camps, but it is a step in that direction.
Politicians need to be reminded that they govern only by the consent of the governed, active or tacit. We are already seeing pushback on some of the most extreme abuses of governmental power and states of emergency. We need more such protests.
When restraints are prudent they should be obeyed. When they are clearly absurd, they need to be opposed. It is not just our right as free people – it is our responsibility.
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