There has been a lot in press these days about how people don’t want to have a vaccine “mandate,” that whether or not one gets vaccinated against COVID is an individual choice and that the government should not require it.

It made me think of government “mandates” in general. Should, for example, the government mandate speed limits on highways? Why shouldn’t everyone be able to drive at whatever speed they want to? I would imagine that right after the automobile was invented, many people felt that way.

A similar argument was made when I was in the state legislature that the government should not force people to wear helmets when riding a motorcycle. “Let those who ride decide” was the slogan of the opposition. If people want to take on the risk of getting killed or maimed by not wearing a helmet, let them decide that.

The government response on both occasions was to “mandate” speed limits and helmet-wearing on motorcycles. The nub of the government’s argument was, of course, “public safety” which has been a part of what governments have done since ad infinitum. In the case of the helmet law, there was also a strong case made that unhelmeted motorcycle riders who had accidents, substantially drove up the cost of health and hospital care–much of which ends up in the government’s lap.

When you think about it, there are a lot of “mandates” out there. What about the requirement that kids attend school? What about the requirement that when they do, they must be vaccinated for diseases like small pox, measles and polio?

There is another mandate that we don’t hear about any more — the draft. Yet, last I knew all young men reaching the age of 18 are still required to register for the draft. If our country ever did get into a major war again, should we continue the draft mandate or let people opt out of it? Opting out is another way of avoiding a mandate.

Perhaps the greatest government mandate of all, is the requirement that we pay our taxes. Should people be allowed to say “No” when their tax bill comes in the mail?

It is true that sometimes mandates are hard to enforce. Not so many years ago, the County passed a law limiting smoking in indoor spaces. Initially, it was hard to enforce, but today most people have accepted it as a way to improve health outcomes by limiting exposure to second-hand smoke.

Maybe it would be best to get away altogether from the word “mandate” and find another word. What about the words “common enterprise?” When society finds itself with a real problem that needs to be addressed, maybe we should have a discussion on whether or not a “common enterprise” which applies to all citizens is an appropriate response.

However you approach it, the issue revolves around government being a vehicle to provide common, civic engagement on matters that need to be resolved. “Mandate” is a very negative word. Maybe we need to rethink things in a more positive way.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.