Individual freedom must take a backseat to the greater good (letter to the editor) – silive.com

While I appreciate Kenneth Imbriales response to my earlier commentary, I take great issue with his purported analysis.

Was there any attempt to research any of the points I made? It doesnt seem so.

Willful ignorance is generally defined as refusing to acknowledge or examine evidence contrary to ones desired world view.

To say that the Supreme Court does not have the power to determine the constitutionality of a law is to ignore existing fact, precedent, and reality. In Federalist Papers essay No 78, Alexander Hamilton provides the Founders guidance. In sum, Hamilton writes that not only is judicial review, including determining the constitutionality of a law, inherent in the judicial branchs remit, but an absolute requirement as a check on the other branches powers. Thats been underscored repeatedly since the issue first came up in 1803.

Truly horrifying would be the unchecked power of a legislature hijacked by conspiracy theorists, authoritarians, liars, and panderers acting as sycophants to an autocrat atop the executive branch. The Supreme Court was established specifically to stand between the people and the federal government, but sometimes, as in Jacobson, individual freedom takes a backseat to the greater good.

Mr. Imbriale attempts to obfuscate reality by introducing a political analysis of the current state of the pandemic. He claims that infection rates are rising in heavily vaccinated (ie, Democratic) areas but doesnt specify these areas and provides no actual evidence or source. Its this very type of lazy and evidence-less politicization of the pandemic that makes public health policy such a fraught endeavor.

CDC data indicates that infection rates have been declining in the U.S. since the beginning of September and vaccinated persons are five times less likely to be infected and 10 times less likely to be hospitalized or die. HHS data shows COVID-related ICU bed utilization is highest in predominantly ruby red states with perilously low vaccination rates. Additional CDC data shows that hospitalizations and death rates have been declining precipitously since January 2021. When were vaccines first approved? December 2020. Coincidence? Really?

Natural immunity? Thirty-six percent of COVID infections generate NO protective antibody response and even if it does it only lasts maybe 90 days. Vaccinations? Reliably 6 months. Reinfection is 2.36 times lower with a combination of previous infection and vaccination compared to natural immunity alone. This is from real scientists published in prestigious journals and CDC-reported data. Not a pandering hypocrite on TV, Congress, or a mail-order PhD.

Nothing is perfect, but vaccines work. Full stop.

Under Mr. Imbriales definition, freedom means to be able to do what you want, when you want, and how you want. You owe nutin to nobody even if your actions endanger others. He ignores the fact that your personal freedoms are infringed upon every day in the form of smoking laws, laws against perjury, theft, or threatening, assaulting, or harassing people you disagree with.

Terrified of a politically driven Supreme Court? Remove the last three openly and gleefully political appointments.

(Dr. F. Michael Westhafer is a New Dorp resident.)

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Individual freedom must take a backseat to the greater good (letter to the editor) - silive.com