Where Do Forced Vaccinations & Czars Fit Into the Constitution?

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, February 12, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Though the swine flu caused a panic, it turned out to be less dangerous than the flu we fight every winter. The difference between the swine flu scare last spring and the annual flu is the rush toward a state of emergency declared by the federal government. That paved the way for Health & Human Services to proceed with vaccinations and waive privacy rights of everyone enrolled in Children’s Health Insurance Plans, Medicare and Medicaid.

Thankfully, Georgia’s Emergency Powers Act was not invoked. Had it been, the governor could have required vaccinations for the entire population and could’ve canceled all exemptions, including religious exemptions. Folks resisting vaccination would have wound up in court, where the judge would make the final decision, regardless of a doctor’s opinion.

But, there’s help on the way. Representative Bobby Franklin prefiled H.B. 871 November 16th and officially introduced it January 13th to repeal the governor’s power to mandate vaccinations and quarantine people who refuse to cooperate. Call Representative Cooper at 404 656-5069* and ask her to pass it out of her Health & Human Services Committee.

The President has already appointed over three dozen czars and a lot of people wonder just how much power they have and whether their appointments meet constitutional standards for high-ranking government officials. The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding hearings to learn whether czars are subject to Senate confirmation before they can be hired.

H.R. 1146 introduced January 25th raises a great question. Are members of the General Assembly and citizens of Georgia bound to comply with orders of any presidentially appointed czar? The General Assembly says, “NO,” and so do I. Call Representative Tommy Smith at 404 656-5105* and ask him to pass this out of his committee. The U.S. is a representative Republic governed by officials elected by the people. Czars are not elected and don’t answer to the people, only to the President. So, before they’re hired, they should, certainly, be confirmed by the Senate. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.