Official Statement of the The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
By Steve Scheetz, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
Many people have asked me what the official Covid -19 position is, of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. When I tell people that there isn’t one, they tend to respond in confusion with the question: “Why Not?”
So with this piece I will endeavor to create an official position. First things first, different people are experiencing different things during this pandemic.
To begin with, not everyone is experiencing the same problems, Libertarians included.
Some are working from home
Some are not working at all.
Of those not working at all, some are receiving unemployment.
Others do not qualify for unemployment.
Some have received a stimulus check (or direct deposit) from the government.
Others are deemed to make too much money, and therefore, have not because they have been deemed to make too much money. (does not matter what expenses these people have, they were making too much when their income stream shut off.)
Some are concerned about frivolity.
Some are concerned about basic survival.
Some are begging to go back to work because there is no money to pay for the expenses of their families.
Others are making more now than they were while they were employed.
Some are using the time to help homeschool their children
Some have to work 10-12 hours, and THEN homeschool their children.
Some could die (and know it) if they are exposed
Others won’t (and know it) but might transmit to family members living with them.
One thing that we (being human) all have in common is that this pandemic is having an effect on each of our lives. There is but 1 universal truth to come from all of this that the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania can get behind, and that is the truth that we all need to practice a certain level of empathy for those whose lives we know nothing about. That truth that says that we do not know what others are dealing with, nor do we have all of the answers. We have had complaints about what is being done, and how those plans have been implemented, but over all there is but one path forward.
Some people need to be able to go back to work, but when they do, everyone needs to apply safe practices (as in wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), practice good hygiene, and protect each other through out what comes next.)
Our official position is simply this: "At the end of the day, prepare as best you can, and help your neighbor, (because the government certainly won't get it right)."
Issued by The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania