Laws vs. Mandates

To the Editor:

Terry, you and Mr. Mikus must have gone to the same school. One that didn’t teach about the Constitution, how laws are enacted, or the dangers of government overreach.

Let me explain the difference between which side of the road to drive on, speed limits, and seatbelt laws versus mandates.

A Federal law is created when a bill has to be voted on by both houses of Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. If they both vote for the bill to become a law, the bill is sent to the President of the United States. He or she can choose whether or not to sign the bill. If the President signs the bill, it becomes a law.

A State law is created when the governor signs the whole bill, signs with line-item vetoes, vetoes the bill, or pocket vetoes the bill to the legislature for reconsideration. A two-thirds vote of both the senate and the house is required to overturn a veto. If the governor signs, or both chambers override the governor’s veto…bill becomes law.

A mandate is really nothing more than a suggestion. There is no legal backing to it, no legislation passed, no law enacted.

The liberty it infringes on is my right to choose for myself and not be forced by the government to wear a mask without due process or proper legislation.

Hope that clears it up for you.

Sandy Armstrong

La Grange