GEOFF DIEHL CALLS OUT GOV. CHARLIE
BAKER ON STATE POLICE VACCINE
MANDATE: SAYS LOCAL OFFICIALS ON A “POWER TRIP”
The Gubernatorial candidate takes a stand against vaccine mandates and
“government overreach” in Massachusetts
WHITMAN, MA – Gov. Charlie Baker’s Blanket Mandates and lack of consideration for exemptions has parents and workers across the state of Massachusetts up against the wall when it comes to medical autonomy – and the State Police are amongst those taking the hit.
Baker issued an executive order that all state employees, including State Police, must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on or by Oct. 17, and law enforcement unions are pushing back.
“Officers who have served the state of Massachusetts deserve the freedom to make their own health decisions – as does every citizen of the Commonwealth,” says Diehl. “People aren’t refusing the vaccine in many cases, they are rejecting the totalitarian government overreach, this power-trip that local, state, and federal government officials have been on for over a year.”
According to the Boston Herald, once Baker issued the executive order last week, a union representing state corrections officers warned it would pursue “all legal and legislative” efforts against the mandate.
“These unethical mandates being forced on government employees – they will ultimately affect the safety and security of the people of Massachusetts,” says Diehl. “Because of this mandate we have State Police officers being forced into early retirement, forced to resign, being threatened to be placed on recall lists – not only does that weaken state security and public safety, as we are estimated to lose hundreds of police officers; it just doesn’t feel like something that should happen in a free society.”
The press office for the Baker administration states that the vaccine mandate “applies to both employees working in-person and those who are teleworking.” There are no additional details regarding the science behind that decision.
The press office also states that “employees for whom vaccination is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination on the grounds of sincerely-held religious reasons may be entitled to an exemption from the requirement to demonstrate vaccination,” according to the government website, which continues to outline that “the Administration will provide further guidance in the coming weeks for employees who may wish to seek such an exemption.”
The new vaccine mandate was issued without discussion with unions or government employees, and without hesitation or lack of clarity of consequence. Yet, the exemption process remains a withheld mystery.
“It is easy to throw out a blanket mandate, what’s infuriating – beyond the government overreach – is the lack of due diligence and effort on the part of the Baker administration to complete the process of outlining exemptions,” says Diehl. “The reason that Charlie Baker has not done the work to carefully outline the exemption guidelines is because of one simple fact: the Governor doesn’t care about exemptions. He expects you to get in line. The mandate has been written.”
Hopefully if elected. Mr. Diehl will also reform the Mass State Police. Currently they are the most scandal ridden state police agency in the U.S.. They lead the nation in the percent of members who have been indicted or guily of crimes. The massive overtime scandal in recent years is a big factor in that dubious record. When one drives through N.H., RI. CT, NY, NJ or PA it is common to see state troopers performing speed traps and trying to keep order and safety on highways. Under Baker, it is extremely rare to see the Mass State Police performing these important duties. However, it is very common to see Mass State Troopers on the unique to Massachusetts contruction details. Road safety should be a high priority as it is in other states. In recent years one can see the reckless and overly aggressive driving habits get worse in Mass. Diehl should make this a campaign issue.