The Right to Violate Rights in Times of Crisis

On March 30, 2020, Kim Monson explores the tension between individual liberty and government mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sue Moore of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Colorado provides a legislative update on bills targeting small businesses and the energy industry, while Liberty Toastmasters members engage in a spirited roundtable on whether crisis justifies government violations of constitutional rights.

Colorado Legislation Threatens Small Business and Energy

Start listening at 17:35 – Hour 1

Sue Moore of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Colorado outlines “Kill Bill Week Two,” identifying ten bills that should be killed when the legislature reconvenes. Moore highlights House Bill 1162, which would ban polystyrene food containers, and House Bill 1163, targeting single-use products like straws and plastic bags. These measures would burden restaurants already struggling to survive through delivery and takeout orders during the pandemic shutdown.

Beyond the seemingly petty environmental regulations, Moore warns about larger attacks on the oil and gas industry. House Bill 1064 would allow the Public Utilities Commission to study community choice energy programs, ultimately passing costs to ratepayers. House Bill 1143 creates an Environmental Justice Advisory Board with power to impose fines up to $47,000 for pollution violations. Senate Bill 159 would prioritize carbon footprint over cost when awarding public construction contracts.

“When you attack the oil and gas industry, you’re also attacking local schools.”

Sue Moore, Republican Liberty Caucus of Colorado

Market Volatility Amid Pandemic Uncertainty

Start listening at 26:03 – Hour 1

Jason McBride of Presidential Wealth Management reports on unusual market activity. Friday saw the Dow drop 900 points in the final 30 minutes of trading despite being positive most of the day. However, McBride notes the trading volume came down significantly compared to the volatility since late February, potentially signaling the market is trying to find a bottom.

McBride advises investors to look at their entire portfolio rather than focusing only on riskier investments that may have been hit hard. With statements arriving soon for March, he encourages a big-picture perspective that accounts for safer holdings alongside growth positions.

“Look at your entire investment portfolio, because a lot of people have some safe stuff and then some riskier stuff. And if you only focus on the riskier stuff that has probably been beat up, it’s easy to get shook up.”

Jason McBride, Presidential Wealth Management

Government Mandates and Constitutional Limits

Start listening at 31:05 – Hour 1

Bill Vetter opens the Liberty Toastmasters roundtable with a stark assessment of government lockdowns. While the coronavirus has brought out the best in Americans through volunteering and neighborly concern, Vetter argues that governments at all levels are using the crisis as cover to violate fundamental rights through curfews, quarantines, and business shutdowns.

Vetter warns that the economic consequences could rival the Great Depression and questions whether Americans will accept the return of these powers once the crisis passes. The federal stimulus package, he notes, directs only one-eighth of its $2 trillion toward workers while the rest contains unrelated spending.

“No one has a right to violate rights, not you, not I, not even government.”

Bill Vetter, Liberty Toastmasters

Individual Liberty Versus Collective Mandates

Start listening at 34:49 – Hour 1

Josh Lallement argues that collective rights and group interests should never supersede individual liberty. The government’s approach of forcing everyone into a collective shutdown represents a fundamental philosophical error. Individual liberty includes the right of association and disassociation, meaning those who feel unsafe can choose to isolate without forcing others to do the same.

“Part of individual liberty is the right to association, right of association and disassociation and right of consent.”

Josh Lallement, Liberty Toastmasters

Rights Versus Privileges in American Society

Start listening at 38:31 – Hour 1

Carol Baker draws a distinction between rights and privileges, noting that driving is a privilege granted by the state rather than an inherent right. She questions whether taxpayers’ rights are violated when their money funds others’ privileges. Baker also draws parallels to Colorado forest fire evacuations, where residents have previously accepted temporary restrictions on movement.

“I gotta wonder what’s a right and what’s a privilege, and I wonder how many times our rights as taxpayers or insurance premium payers are being violated to provide someone’s privilege.”

Carol Baker, Liberty Toastmasters

The Constitution Applies Even in Crisis

Start listening at 40:42 – Hour 1

Greg Morrissey, who immigrated to America and studied the Constitution, urges citizens to use their time at home to read and understand the founding document. Temporary measures cannot become permanent encroachments on constitutional rights. America, he argues, was raised as one nation under God and can emerge from this challenge as a light to the world if citizens remain vigilant.

“Do not let them usurp the Constitution.”

Greg Morrissey, Liberty Toastmasters

Balancing Safety and Defendable Rights

Start listening at 44:55 – Hour 1

Terri Goon offers a pragmatic perspective, suggesting that rights are only meaningful to the extent they can be defended. Currently, most Americans agree that temporary restrictions are necessary, making widespread resistance impractical. The key is establishing clear milestones and triggers for relaxing controls, as suggested by the American Enterprise Institute, so businesses can gradually reopen as conditions improve.

“Natural rights are definitely natural rights, but they have to be defendable by the people.”

Terri Goon, Liberty Toastmasters

Crisis Legislation and Government Surveillance

Start listening at 47:47 – Hour 1

Rick Rome, president of Liberty Toastmasters Denver, warns about the lasting damage of crisis legislation. The Homeland Security Act gave rise to TSA intrusions, NSA metadata harvesting exposed by Edward Snowden, and FISA court abuses. A hairstylist being charged with attempted murder for keeping his business open while infected demonstrates how fear drives overzealous prosecution.

Rome emphasizes that the Constitution contains no exception for times of crisis. Sacrificing responsibility and security in favor of government power creates opportunities for manufactured crises and further rights erosion.

“Nowhere in the Constitution does it say except in a time of crisis.”

Rick Rome, Liberty Toastmasters

Individual Rights and the Art of Listening

Start listening at 51:18 – Hour 1

Brad Beck, co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters, closes the roundtable with a call for resilience and better communication. In uncertain times, he recommends returning to certain truths. Individual rights, endowed by the Creator, precede government and represent a moral construct that subordinates society to individual liberty.

Beck shares an anecdote about listening to a colleague advocate for special group rights. Through patient dialogue, Beck helped him understand that only individual rights truly exist, and they apply equally to all people regardless of identity. The ability to listen with intent to understand before reacting remains crucial for preserving both liberty and civil discourse.

“I only believe in one kind of right, the rights of the individual, that you own yourself by right.”

Brad Beck, Liberty Toastmasters