Ruben Gallego urges Marine to ‘Get the vaccine’ with strong words
Controversial COVID Policies: Rep. Ruben Gallego’s Strong Stance
From business lockdowns to mask and vaccine mandates, Democrats had no problem pushing controversial coronavirus policies. But few were as gung-ho about restrictive measures as Rep. Ruben Gallego.
The Arizona Democrat, who is running to unseat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I., Ariz.), in 2022 told a Marine officer who opposed the vaccine to ”shut the fuck up” and get the jab.
“It’s called being a Marine suck it up and deal with it,” Gallego, a former Marine infantryman, said on Twitter.
But Gallego did more than just talk tough on social media. He introduced a bill in October 2021 to permit insurance companies to hike insurance premiums up to 50 percent for policyholders who “elected not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.” And early in the pandemic, Gallego pushed fines for businesses that opposed mask mandates. “That gets you to about 90% of the problem and will turn the infection rate around,” Gallego said in June 2020.
Gallego’s support for those increasingly unpopular positions could hurt him in Arizona. Though support for mandates was initially high, by October 2022, 63 percent of Americans opposed them for the workplace, according to a Monmouth poll. And even some Democrats have expressed disenchantment with the party over policies to slow the pandemic.
A spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is spending heavily against Gallego, said his remarks were “appalling, but unsurprising.”
“Ruben Gallego cussed out a service member and threatened to hike premiums if they don’t comply with his COVID extremism,” said NRSC spokesman Tate Mitchell. “Gallego has been beholden to the radical fringes for years, and it’s never going to change.”
Gallego’s foul-mouthed advice for a fellow Marine came in response to a tweet from Sen. J.D. Vance (R., Ohio), who relayed a conversation he had with the father of a Marine officer who reluctantly got the vaccine.
“Sounds like the officer should shut the fuck up,” Gallego wrote in the Jan. 1, 2022, post. “Now you know how it is to be enlisted we had to lots of shit that we didn’t like. It’s called being a Marine suck it up and deal with it.”
The military vaccine mandate has proved wildly controversial. More than 8,400 service members were kicked out of the military for refusing the vaccine, at a time of historically low recruitment numbers. Some military officials have said vaccine mandates hurt recruitment efforts, a theory the Pentagon has denied.
Gallego introduced his bill to hike insurance premiums, the Vaccine Accountability and Premium Protection Act, when inflation was at 6.2 percent, a historically high rate. The bill, which permitted the higher insurance premiums for the “duration” of the government’s public health emergency, was submitted to a House subcommittee but never received a vote.
Gallego has not always abided by the strict mandates he publicly supports. In 2021, he was photographed without a mask—and without a shirt—during an all-expenses paid junket to Qatar, the oil-rich Gulf nation that funds Hamas and other terrorist groups.
Gallego’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
How does Gallego’s support for mandatory vaccinations and penalties for those who choose not to get vaccinated contradict the principles of personal freedom and individual choice that many Americans cherish?
D, ”Ruben Gallego’s extreme stance on COVID policies showcases his disconnect with the American people. His support for forcing individuals to get vaccinated and penalizing those who choose not to goes against the principles of personal freedom and individual choice that many Americans hold dear. Furthermore, his dismissive and disrespectful language towards a Marine officer who expressed concerns about the vaccine is not representative of the leadership and professionalism expected from an elected official.”
“While the goal of protecting public health and reducing the spread of COVID-19 is important, it is crucial to strike a balance between implementing necessary measures and respecting individual rights. Gallego’s proposed legislation to allow insurance companies to increase premiums for those who choose not to receive the vaccine sets a dangerous precedent and infringes upon the autonomy of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions.”
“Moreover, Gallego’s support for imposing fines on businesses that oppose mask mandates reveals a lack of understanding for the challenges faced by small business owners. Many small businesses have already been devastated by the economic impact of the pandemic, and punishing them further for their stance on mask mandates is an unfair burden that hinders their ability to recover and thrive.”
“The Monmouth poll results clearly indicate a growing opposition to mandates in the workplace, including vaccine mandates. Americans value their personal freedoms and are increasingly wary of government overreach. Gallego’s unwavering support for these controversial policies is out of touch with the sentiment of the American people and may prove detrimental to his political aspirations.”
“While it is important to prioritize public health and safety, it is equally important to respect the rights and choices of individuals. Overreaching policies and heavy-handed approaches only serve to further divide the country and erode trust in our governmental institutions. It is crucial for elected officials to approach pandemic responses with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to preserving individual liberties.”
“In the upcoming 2022 election, it will be interesting to see how Arizonans respond to Gallego’s strong stance on controversial COVID policies. Will they support a candidate who advocates for strict mandates and punitive measures, or will they seek out representatives who prioritize the principles of personal freedom and individual choice? Only time will tell, but Gallego may find himself at odds with the majority of his constituents on this issue.
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