Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) got schooled on Twitter after he argued against mandated face masks and compulsory vaccinations aimed at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus:
There is no authority in the Constitution that authorizes the government to stick a needle in you against your will, force you to wear a face mask, or track your daily movements.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 5, 2020
🇺🇸
Can you imagine the signers of the Declaration of Independence submitting to any of these things?!
Many tweeters reminded Massie of President George Washington’s decision to inoculate the Continental Army against smallpox.
Others called out the GOP congressman for appearing to rail against wearing masks, which public health experts worldwide have said is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to curb COVID-19.
Oh I love history.
— Walter A. Clyburn Reed (@deerretlaw) July 5, 2020
A lesser known fact: George Washington's bold decision to vaccinate the entire Continental Army against smallpox. It was the first mass inoculation in military history, and was vital to ensuring an American victory in the War of Independence.
Some interesting history for your Sunday afternoon:
— Alexis Zotos (@alexiszotos) July 5, 2020
George Washington required troops to get the smallpox vaccine. https://t.co/kHqhSyixxx https://t.co/qJ0BTaW403
Why do people who write things like this never seemed to have bothered to study even cursory history?
— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) July 5, 2020
Given that the Founders saw many epidemics in their lifetimes, I would imagine that telling them they could stop disease by something as simple as wearing a mask would have been seen as some kind of miracle.
— Julie DiCaro is writing a book (@JulieDiCaro) July 5, 2020
Can you imagine any of these snowflakes surviving Valley Forge? https://t.co/PLRBPtEOuq
Hi, @RepThomasMassie,
— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) July 5, 2020
It's time for Constitutional Law 101.
"Congress shall have power to . . . provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States."
Saving tens of thousands of lives = providing for the general welfare.
You're welcome. https://t.co/8pSFpRXX8F
I mean it's not like there's a law that says the government can force you to do something you don't want to do like pay taxes or die in a war. https://t.co/Fotb4i7J3z
— Gene Wu (@GeneforTexas) July 5, 2020
George Washington would not allow any man to serve under him if he wasn’t vaccinated against smallpox.
— YS (@NYinLA2121) July 5, 2020
Cute tweet but try again.
The Preamble of the Constitution says its purpose is to, among other things, “insure domestic Tranquility” and “promote the general Welfare.” Vaccinations, masks and tracking during a pandemic do just that.
— Clyde Haberman (@ClydeHaberman) July 6, 2020
My Lord, the dopes who make their way to Congress. https://t.co/be0q6Xqa7L
The Constitution they signed approved of slavery, you black lung profiteering moron.https://t.co/PUtsWjczjr
— Dan Murphy (@bungdan) July 5, 2020
I don’t think the Founders considered there’d be vehicular homicide laws for drunk drivers, either.
— Melissa Jo Peltier (@MelissaJPeltier) July 5, 2020
Are you suggesting we get rid of those too?
When people who make laws are at risk of winding up on @BadLegalTakes, that's pretty alarming https://t.co/BDq9123Ejl
— Tim O'Brien (@_TimOBrien) July 5, 2020
Let's see. The government makes you:
— Augustus (@Augustus709) July 5, 2020
wear a seatbelt.
Drive below the speed limit.
Wear a motorcycle helmet.
Have auto insurance to operate a car.
And on and on.
This guy is an actual GOP Congressman. Such stupidity. https://t.co/cF39NkXI33
There's nothing in the Constitution about stop signs either, so keep the pedal to the metal, patriots! https://t.co/BPdjsqg9yH
— Trey Stokes, Cooler King (@TreyStokes) July 5, 2020
none of these people believe a single thing they're saying.
— j_christley (@j_christley) July 5, 2020
the one unified force driving the discourse in this country is to be as stupid and outrageous as possible. that's the game. that's all there is. https://t.co/dCVifLx4Rx
The first paragraph of the constitution explains that its purpose is, amongst other things, to "promote the general welfare". (The 10th amendment clarifies that it is the states that have authority.)
— Jeremy Howard (@jeremyphoward) July 5, 2020
Research estimates that mask mandates add a trillion dollars to the US economy https://t.co/bqenYXRTn0
I can actually. Because Washington did indeed inoculate his troops against smallpox. You should look it up.
— kristin treado (@krtmd) July 5, 2020
You have never read the Constitution or you wouldn't be this wildly uninformed.
— Greg "Wear Your Mask" Proops (@GregProops) July 5, 2020
— 🌿ways & memes committee🌱 (@calebridgwater) July 5, 2020
JFC.
— Main Street Muse (@MainStreetMuse) July 5, 2020
It's really horrifying to see people so opposed to helping others. You are an awful person.
Actually there is
— Eric Garcia (@EricG1247) July 5, 2020
"Under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, all powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people"
Under most if not all state laws the governor can do a lot during a state of emergency like mandate masks
What kind of an idiot are you?
— Evan Handler (@EvanHandler) July 5, 2020
You'd be arrested for leaving your house without pants.
You CAN be required to wear a mask.
(You fucking insufferable doofus.)
You’re supposed to be a leader. Then lead by encouraging people to wear a mask and socially distance because it saves lives and it’s the right thing to do.
— Abbie Guttenberg Youkilis (@AbbieYoukilis) July 5, 2020
Grow up. I've already lost a family member to Covid because of you babies. And btw, you unread fool, at the heart Federalist papers was that the rights of citizenship also bring with them responsibilities to other citizens. So they would wear masks & call you anti-American.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) July 5, 2020
- Stay up to date with our live blog as we cover the COVID-19 pandemic
- 7 essential pieces of relationship advice for couples in quarantine
- What you need to know about face masks right now
- How to tell if you need to start doing online therapy
- Lost your job due to coronavirus? Here’s what you need to know.
- Parenting during the coronavirus crisis?
- The HuffPost guide to working from home
- What coronavirus questions are on your mind right now? We want to help you find answers.
- Everyone deserves accurate information about COVID-19. Support journalism without a paywall — and keep it free for everyone — by becoming a HuffPost member today.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.