Like guardrails on a curving highway, the rules exist for all—but there will always be those who desire rules for others but not for themselves. Only the bravery of those who love freedom can curtail those who wish to use calamity to satisfy their lusts for control.

A friend who owns a small retail store was surprised by a clipboard-carrying bureaucrat.

“We got a report that customers entered your store.”

My friend asked, “Who reported this?”

“We can’t tell you; it’s anonymous.”

The man proceeded to outline the guidelines, while a police officer parked behind him. Offering a pen, he asked my friend to sign the official notification of the quarantine rules. With a justified indignance, my friend retorted, “I’m being scolded because some unknown person tattled on me for allegedly violating quarantine in my own business—and you want me to get within six feet of you to sign your admonishment?

Leveling his gaze, he continued, “You want me to take your unwashed pen and clipboard?  I have my own pen, thank you. Put the clipboard down and step back!”

As the armed police officer awkwardly watched, the city employee realized his inconsistency and sheepishly complied.

Small Minded People with Authority

While Americans put collective shoulders to the wheel to protect fellow citizens, an age-old problem now emerges—one I recall my father cautioning against more than forty years ago, “Beware of small people with authority.”

A sad consequence of America’s drastic efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 virus is the elevation of Frank Burns” types (from the TV show, M*A*S*H*). These “small-minded” individuals seem to draw excitement from pursuing their gratification while others struggle.

Funny thing, war—Never have so many suffered so much, so, so few could be so happy!!—Major Frank Burns

The “land of the free and the home of the brave” has descended into neighbors encouraged to report one another. With drones, incredulously supplied by China, city officials are monitoring American citizens under the guise of “protection and safety.” C.S. Lewis warned of this when he wrote:

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.

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