Letter to the editor: Our rights as a federal republic

It’s tough debating President Trump’s response to coronavirus and civil unrest with folks unaware of America’s government. That includes King Joseph Biden, who seems too confused to know he can’t “shut down the country” or forcibly mask us, too civics-deficient to realize Trump has constitutionally “done his job.”

We’re a federal republic. Power and sovereignty co-exist between nation and states. Our president isn’t a king, and the Constitution limits executive powers. Federal guidelines on crises are but recommendations. Only governors and mayors can enforce limits or policing of citizen activity. Criticism of virus-related restrictions and “mostly peaceful” riots that mostly devastated Democrat-run cities belongs with them.

Federalism was designed knowing that independent states existed before country. Giving commonwealths ample sovereignty unseen in monarchies is the inherent check against unlimited central power. States managing virus policy or policing unrest is federalism at its logical best. Government nearest the people addressing civic needs is most efficient. When localities or states are overwhelmed, presidents can help. But during the riots, mayors refused enforcement aid and now blame Trump for life-altering destruction they let happen.

Public blustering aside, Trump’s actions reflect the rational results of private debate with advisers, and 232 years of liberty-laced federalism. Liberty delivers. In a nation of 50 governors constitutionally allowed to pursue 50 separate pandemic responses, our 2.98% mortality rate (deaths as percentage of cases) is lower than Germany, China and 48 other countries. That’s despite the atrocity of Democratic governors forcing covid-19 patients into ultra-vulnerable nursing homes. A shameful, obedient media ignores this. They only serve King Joseph.

Robert Szypulski

Penn Township, Westmoreland County