I remember a comedian on the “1/2 Hour Comedy Hour” back in the late 1980s who joked about how he lied extensively to every woman while on their first date. That way, when she eventually called him on a lie, he could just respond: “But I’ve always lied to you.” (I don’t do it justice here, but it was funny stuff.) Unfortunately, most of the leaders managers in our national government today treat us exactly the same way. In each branch, they come into office affirming a solemn oath — “I will faithfully execute,” “I will bear true faith and allegiance,” “I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform” — and most, having already been embedded creatures of the swamp, keep a straight face through almost the whole recitation. But they are most assuredly laughing at us just the same, as they are well on their way to the first (or next) insider trading payday … and worse.

Clearly, “good faith,” or at least the appearance thereof, is critical to the voluntary compact of this little experiment. We have enjoyed quite a ride in this country in which the faithless attempted to hide the corruption from us. No more, and a reliably incurious press can no longer hide it from the country class. How many even care, and how will it play out? I think we are about to start finding out.

As this is really just an entry for self-documentation, I want to start with an example of bad faith from the business world. One that is, no doubt, sanctioned and cheered by the anti-liberty hordes among us. It starts with the headline story:

Southwest Airlines’ Reputation Crumbles After Fallout From COVID Policies

Yesterday, mass chaos ensued for Southwest Airlines, with thousands of flights being canceled across the country. … it’s been confirmed now that the mass “sickout” was a result of the vaccine mandates.

I don’t want to completely ignore the good news about the pilot’s union fighting the mandates. (I suspect more of this is coming soon in various industries, but do note that the apparent silence from the public sector unions over the past couple of weeks has been deafening to those willing to listen.) But, back to the story, the bad faith by Southwest Airlines is just so glaring (and instructive):

The official story was that ATC “issues” and bad weather caused the meltdown … One look at the radar and airport delays, though, shows there was absolutely nothing weather-related anywhere in the country that caused this … By blaming non-existent weather problems, they were able to avoid giving refunds or paying for layover expenses for those left stranded, many sitting on planes for hours.

[Emphasis added]

That would be funny stuff if it was pulled by Eustace Haney, but here it is pathetic and should not be accepted behavior in an American business. Spitting on customers like that may get them a golf clap from those in control of the Biden administration, but I suspect it will not play well in flyover country … if they even hear about it.

But then again, recent history informs us that flowing pain down to “we the people” by any means necessary — it is for their own good, you know — is now the business of the American government. Doesn’t it?

When the president reissues an eviction moratorium even while acknowledging that it is unconstitutional, but it provides a temporary means for him to provide relief to some at the expense of others … that is bad-faith governance. (It is also theft, but I digress.)

When the president issues a vaccine mandate via the iron fist of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and no regulatory guidance is provided (or even initiated?) by the given deadline, but, as was the expectation, many of the subject companies voluntarily comply as planned … that is bad-faith governance. (It is also unconstitutional and an abuse of power, but I digress.)

When the president’s people collude and choreograph official business in order to issue threats against citizens exercising their constitutional rights knowing that just the threat will chill the free-speech air from sea to shining sea, and no actual follow-through will be coming … that is bad-faith governance. (It is also tyranny, but I digress.)

At this point, I am reminded of a favorite passage from Mr. Hamilton:

Hence also, the origin of all civil government, justly established, must be a voluntary compact, between the rulers and the ruled; and must be liable to such limitations, as are necessary for the security of the absolute rights of the latter; for what original title can any man or set of men have, to govern others, except their own consent? To usurp dominion over a people, in their own despite, or to grasp at a more extensive power than they are willing to entrust, is to violate that law of nature, which gives every man a right to his personal liberty; and can, therefore, confer no obligation to obedience.

Interesting concepts there: limitations of government and more extensive power than they are willing to entrust. The three examples given show how those in control of the Biden administration clearly have no respect for, or intention to live within, that voluntary compact. And they don’t even hide it from us. We have reached the point where they want us to see it, they need us to see it. What that all means may be a mystery to some but, to be sure, the game is changing.

Into the abyss …

(Thank you to those who hung in to the end of this mess. Have a wonderful Sunday.)