can it mandate any medical intervention it chooses? What are the limits of the state’s power?
Can it mandate psych meds to improve public morale? Order the use of Adderall to enhance public productivity?
Regulate sugar to improve immunity? Decree forced pregnancy to ensure a stable population? Of course, all of these dictates would be for the greater good!
Judge Bennett wrote, “We reject Plaintiffs’ attempt to limit Jacobson to only those vaccines that prevent the spread of a disease and provide immunity.”
By the court’s logic, there is no limit to the power of the state—a conclusion that should terrify us all. Equally concerning: The Ninth Circuit has abdicated its power and authority to hold public servants accountable.
When the courts cannot be relied upon to hold public servants accountable, who can? And where does that leave us?
Judge Lee wrote in the fitting conclusion to his powerful dissent, “As a practical matter, I fear we are giving the government a blank check to foist health treatment mandates on the people—despite its checkered track record—when we should be imposing a check against the government’s incursion into our liberties."