In a Labor Day interview on WDBJ7, Congressman Cline thought it appropriate to take a verbal shot at Buena Vista Democrats for cancelling their traditional Labor Day breakfast this year.
Local Democrats walked in the Buena Vista Labor Day parade and gathered for the speeches at Glen Maury Park. But given the continuing risks of holding large indoor events, and due to the spiking number of COVID cases in our area, they made the prudent choice to forego the breakfast.
In most localities in the Sixth Congressional District, COVID cases have been on the rise since July.
So why did Cline think the Democrats’ decision was something to scorn?
Cline made his comments at the Republican Labor Day breakfast, which went ahead indoors with no masks or social distancing, and no apparent precautions. Buena Vista is one of the localities that has seen a steady increase in COVID cases in recent months.
Now Cline has posted the following on his Facebook page after President Biden announced new vaccination mandates to finally bring COVID under control:
In announcing the mandates, Biden made the obvious point that people who refuse the safe, effective and free COVID vaccines are not just endangering their own health, but the health of all Americans. as well as putting a huge strain on hospitals and other medical services.
There’s nothing unprecedented or oppressive about vaccine mandates. Children are routinely required to be vaccinated for certain diseases before they can start school. As commander of the Continental Army, George Washington ordered mandatory smallpox inoculations for all his soldiers. He didn’t leave it up to each soldier to make the decision that was right for himself.
As for whether vaccine mandates are unconstitutional: the Supreme Court settled that 116 years ago. As Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote, “[U]pon the principle of self-defense, of paramount necessity, a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic of disease which threatens the safety of its members.”
And Cline’s sudden concern for “workers’ rights” is laughable. The only right he has supported is the right of non-union workers to freeload off contracts negotiated by union workers.
What does all this tell us about how well Cline understands the law and how seriously he takes the still dangerous and deadly pandemic?
And for God’s sake, Congressman, have the simple courage, decency and respect for life to tell people to get vaccinated, not just to “make the decision that’s right for them.” The time for weasel words has passed.
Cline Watch 