Somehow one knew this story was coming. Over here at Fox News is this headline:
Drivers swarm Michigan capital to protest coronavirus lockdown measures
The story begins this way:
“Hundreds of cars, trucks and SUVs descended on Michigan’s state capital Wednesday afternoon as part of a noisy protest against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s social-distancing restrictions that critics say have gone too far.
Dubbed “Operation Gridlock” and organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, the protest did just that – creating bumper-to-bumper traffic throughout downtown Lansing as demonstrators blasted their horns, waved Americans flags and hoisted placards deriding Whitmer’s orders and demanding that she reopen the state’s economy.
The lockdown measures are meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, but Whitmer has gone further than some other governors — and the backlash in Michigan is among the most heated in the country.”
Uh-oh.
Something that seems to be forgotten as we go along is that the vaunted American spirit that has everyone pulling together in a time of real crisis is real. But if and when Americans get the feeling that enough is enough? Look out.
A case in point? From the moment Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, the country, up until that moment divided over what to do about the war in Europe, came together in an instant. “There is no politics here. There is only one party when it comes to the integrity and honor of this country,” said House Republican Leader Joseph Martin, up until that moment a staunch opponent of President Franklin Roosevelt.
From that moment until the surrender of Japan in September of 1945, Americans rallied together to fight off Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo.
Then, a change. World War II may have ended, but it was quickly clear that another war had begun – the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. And while there wasn’t much the American people could do in this initial phase of what would turn out to be an almost 50-year conflict, they were damn well fed up with all the restrictions that had been placed on their lives since December of 1941.
The restraints burst. In the year after the Japanese surrender over five million Americans in the workforce went out on strike, resulting in the largest labor strikes in American history. In 1946 alone there were strikes involving miners, steelworkers, rail workers, meat packers and electrical workers. In that year’s congressional elections, Republicans won the Congress for the first time since 1928. Their slogan was a simple two words: “Had Enough?” The overwhelming answer from the American people was “Yes!!!!!!”
The point is obvious to grasp.
Whether it was World War II restrictions then or coronavirus restrictions now, the practical effect is to treat society like a steam pot with the lid on. To do this, obviously, and the steam builds up – and without a release, it literally blows the lid off.
Which is exactly what is beginning to happen in Michigan. The brewing resistance there is in direct response to the actions of Democrat Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Fox story notes this:
“Whitmer announced over the weekend an expansion to her state’s stay-at-home orders, which among other things prohibits residents from visiting family or friends with exceptions for providing care, bans public and private gatherings regardless of size or family ties, and places restrictions on what types of businesses may operate and in what capacity.”
There’s more, of course. But the point is obvious. There is only so much Americans are prepared to take if and when they reach the point where they have come to believe “enough is enough.” Not to mention that as news arrives that this or that foreign country or another state somewhere in America is opening their doors for business and families and restoring some version of “normal life” and a lessened virus threat – the pressure will build. And build and build and build.
And notably what underlies this sentiment is that age old belief from the very beginnings of American history. Which is: Hey, buddy, we – the American people – run this country…not a bunch of politicians and bureaucrats.
There is actually another phrase involved when Americans have reached the limit of their patience.
But this is a family site.
So I’ll settle for God Bless America and Americans.
And look out!
