Only in government is failure rewarded with more.
If you fail in life, generally you fail. There are consequences. You learn from them. And you move on. That is a good thing, by the way. Failure is a much better teacher than success.
But in government, if you fail you are rewarded with more. You get more money to try your idea again, you get more power to close that loophole, you are immune from any consequences so the government never learns. At least it doesn’t learn anything about failure.
Look at the response to the coronavirus.
Government lockdowns and mask mandates have failed to stop the virus. In all reality, there’s not much that can stop a virus. But in states from New York to California they are trying more lockdowns and restrictions.
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is moving to lock down her state even more.
From The DailyWire:
“Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer enacted a new lockdown order for Michigan amid surging cases of COVID-19 in her state.
Indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings limited to 25 people beginning Nov. 18, according to Fox 10. The executive order will remain in effect until Dec. 9.
“We cannot control the fact we’re seeing a surge in cases; we can control how we combat our common enemy,” Whitmer said Sunday in a virtual press conference.
According to Whitmer’s order, high schools and universities must conduct all classes remotely."
The numbers are clear in almost every state. Younger people are testing positive for the virus, but it is older people who are going to the hospital and dying.
Controlling the virus will help limit the spread. But locking down a high school isn’t going to do anything to protect someone in their 90s who is living in an assisted living facility.
Targeting the real problem would be far better (and far more popular) for governors or mayors. But because their original failures never hurt, they are simply doubling down.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court talked about the use of government power yesterday during the hearing over Gov. Tony Evers’ coronavirus restrictions.
From the Journal Sentinel:
Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley suggested the Legislature is the one that should be determining how the state responds to the pandemic.
"The issue isn't whether or not the government as a whole has the powers or should exercise powers given an ongoing pandemic situation like we have facing the people of the state of Wisconsin," she said. "The question is who gets to exercise those powers."
The liberal justices sided with Evers, saying he was trying to fight the virus while Republican lawmakers were declining to act.
"The Legislature has a lot of power here, should they choose to use it," Liberal Justice Jill Karofsky said.
The lawsuit could wipe out Evers' COVID-19-related executive orders, such as those that limited the capacity of bars and restaurants and required people to wear masks. The capacity limits are no longer in effect but the mask requirement is.
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