Never in my lifetime did I expect to witness the federal government assert forced control over the health choices of private individuals. And I surely didn’t expect a county in my own backyard to terminate Floridians unwilling to comply with a mandate that violates our core American values and infringes on our personal freedoms.
Yet here we are. The federal government released a rule that requires all American workers in businesses with over 100 employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, pay out-of-pocket for weekly COVID-19 tests or be terminated. Yes, the federal government has mandated private businesses to force employees to get the vaccine or lose their job.
In another example, Leon County stripped all its employees who refused to comply with their vaccine requirement of their livelihood and their ability to put food on the table for their families. Many Leon County employees were laid off because of the county’s mandate.
Leon County didn’t stop there, it even mandated that school children wear masks at school, robbing parents of their right to make choices in the best interest of their children. Masks can have a serious impact on a child’s development, resulting in long-term consequences. What’s more, there’s a lack of evidence to prove masks effectively stop the spread of germs among our youth. It should be the parents’ right to determine what’s best for their children, not the government.
Our nation was founded on the value of freedom. But our freedoms are at risk due to the overreach of progressives on both the federal and local levels of government.
It’s alarming to see the American government take forced control over the bodies of adults and children.
If we comply with these mandates now, where does it end? This is a precedent we cannot afford to set.
Fortunately, we live in a state with strong conservative leaders like Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature that has proven its commitment to protecting its citizens’ rights and freedoms. This week, the Florida Legislature convened in a special session called by the Governor to make clear that no Floridian will lose his or her job because of their personal choice to take or not take the COVID-19 vaccine.
I proudly voted in support of the Keep Florida Free agenda. The four proposed legislative measures passed both the House and Senate, and they were signed into law by Gov. DeSantis.
This agenda responded to President Biden’s unlawful federal vaccine mandates and will ensure Florida governments and Florida employers can no longer violate individuals’ rights and freedoms. Additionally, this agenda ensures Florida schools cannot require face masks or vaccines for students, empowering parents to decide which option is in the best interest of their child.
I am committed to defending our freedoms, and I will fight for our American values. To let the overreach continue would be a detriment to our families, our state and our nation.
Jason Shoaf is a Republican from Port St. Joe serving as vice-chair of the Secondary Education and Career Development Subcommittee.
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