Some overreach their authority

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in our country has brought out some of the best and some of the worst in our leaders, specifically state governors. While our own Gov. Kristi Noem has been praised for her more common sense suggestions for state residents, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer seems to have gone a little overboard with her executive powers.
Last Friday, Whitmer, a first-term Democrat, extended the state’s stay-at-home order to May 15, even while the Republican-controlled state legislature has scheduled a special session to form a committee to review her actions to the coronavirus pandemic. This could result in having  her powers taken away, according to an April 24 article by Adam Shaw who is a political reporter for Fox News.
Glaring examples of her overreach are a ban on garden centers selling gardening supplies, including seeds, and banning residents visiting relatives, or even going to a second home they may own. Protests against the lockdown have resulted in rallies held outside the state Capitol and the governor’s Lansing residence.
Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield said it was possible to be concerned about public health, the economy and personal liberty all at the same time. “We can take COVID-19 seriously yet be reasonable in our fight. Michigan needs a change ASAP,” Chatfield said.
The Detroit Free Press said the state Senate will look at bills to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governors Act, which gives Whitmer wide power to declare a state of emergency. Another bill would reduce the length of a state of emergency from 28 days to 14.
Another governor who seems to have gone a little overboard in his executive powers is California’s Gavin Newsom. The Democrat wants to make sure illegal aliens in his sanctuary state get some stimulus money also and is trying to figure a way to do that using state and private sector funds. Illegal immigrants are not eligible to receive federal coronavirus stimulus checks. Imagine that.
South Dakota is among a small group of states whose  governors did not issue stay-at-home orders. The others are North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Gov. Noem said South Dakota citizens valued their liberties and freedom and trusted them to do the right thing and restrict travel and social interaction during these pandemic times. She has been both lauded and attacked in the national media for her actions. Most state residents would agree she did the right thing.
We will soon see a gradual loosening of social restrictions in our area, state and nation as the country slowly tries to get back to normal. It looks like it will be quite some time before many people feel comfortable venturing out in any kind of crowd, and that is understandable.
It’s about time to start taking our country back.

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