While claiming to support freedom and property rights, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have repeatedly failed to uphold these principles. Both DeSantis and Abbott are hypocrites.
States that prohibit vaccine mandates have no problem issuing vaccine mandates for children who wish to enroll in a school. Florida prohibits any entity in the state from having a vaccine mandate. Yet, Florida law requires children to receive six different vaccines before enrolling in school—any school, government or private. Texas, another state that prohibits vaccine mandates, requires children to receive seven different vaccines before enrolling in school—any school, government or private.
When he signed Florida’s mandate prohibition, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “I’m thankful to the Florida Legislature for joining me in standing up for freedom.”
When he issued an executive order prohibiting vaccine mandates, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, & our best defense against the virus, but should always remain voluntary & never forced.”
To DeSantis and Abbott, a vaccine mandate issued by a private entity is an act of force, but a vaccine mandate issued by the state government isn’t. However, a private company can’t throw you in jail, seize your property, or prevent you from pursuing alternatives if you do not abide by its requirements. Government can and does. Abiding by a vaccine mandate issued by a private institution is a voluntary act. One can choose to get vaccinated or take his money or his labor to an institution with policies more to his liking.
A mandate implicitly includes the phrase: Or else. When a private institution issues a mandate, they are saying, “Do X, or else have a nice day.” When government issues a mandate, it is saying, “Do X, or else you will be fired or fined (or in the case of children, you can’t enroll in school).” There is a world of difference between these two types of mandates.
While vocally denouncing vaccine mandates, neither DeSantis nor Abbott have uttered a word about the government’s vaccine mandate for children. Their silence on the issue speaks volumes. Both governors will say whatever appeals to their base, and principles can be casually tossed aside when it is politically expedient. Both DeSantis and Abbott are hypocrites.