Oppression is not Freedom

The left has been doing a lot of screaming about democracy and wanting to preserve it for the people.  However, a couple of recent incidents belie their claims of protecting democracy and point to oppression instead.

 In New Zealand, a baby needed heart surgery to repair a defect.  The parents agreed that the surgery was needed.  However, they were concerned about recent studies of heart damage from the COVID vaccines and wanted blood from unvaccinated people.  Here are two competing responses:

Government Oppression:  The New Zealand government said no exceptions are allowed.  The surgery will take place using the existing blood supply.  It doesn’t matter that the parents have a couple of dozen unvaccinated individuals willing to give blood for the surgery.  The government sent police to the home of the parents and took the baby away.

Government Supports Freedom:  If government persuasion about the safety of the existing blood supply is not accepted, then help the parents get the surgery they need for their baby regardless of “policy”.  Since there were plenty of willing volunteers, unvaxxed blood was readily available and could have been used.  

If the baby dies during or close after the surgery, who will be responsible?  In the oppression situation, the government shoulders the blame – but will likely make up some kind of medical excuse for political purposes.  In the alternative freedom situation, the parents have done their best, and the government would be able to help them with their grief (rather than creating their grief).

In North Carolina, Duke was asked to do a kidney transplant for a 14 year old adopted girl,  The adoptive parents apparently knew of her condition but adopted her anyway – before the COVID pandemic.  Here are two competing responses:

Government Oppression:  Following CDC “guidance”, Duke has refused to do the transplant.  The claim is that an unvaxxed individual seeking a transplant, even one who previously had survived COVID, is at greater risk of death.  Giving a transplant to such an individual is wasting a scarce resource. (Of note, governments around the world are increasingly against the COVID vaccinations for young boys and girls.)

Government Supports Freedom:   Duke says that they cannot do the transplant because of CDC restrictions but knows of medical centers where the parents can get what they need.  Duke refers the parents to a “willing” transplant center and helps the parents obtain payment through a charitable organization.

If the girl dies during or close after delayed surgery, who will be responsible?  In the oppression situation, Duke’s decision places the young girl at further health risk because of delayed treatment.  If the girl dies prior to the transplant surgery somewhere else, then Duke cannot escape criticism or worse.  Will Duke try to shift the blame to the CDC for letting the situation worsen?  In the alternative freedom situation, Duke’s efforts become heroic in the face of government interference.  The parents have done their best as well.

Don’t be fooled by equating the government’s definition of democracy with freedom.  If anything, it is oppression and the tyranny of a dictatorship.