Minnesota: A Case Study in Covid Response Consequences

The Fraud Scheme

Minnesota has recently been thrust into the spotlight as a prime example of the negative impacts of the Covid response. Among the issues highlighted are the facilitation of brazen fraud through government programs, the use of tribalism by criminals to evade responsibility, and the overall decline in safety and wealth of Americans compared to five years ago. The Department of Justice has charged 70 individuals in a fraud scheme where they allegedly stole $250 million from Covid relief funds. These funds were intended to provide meals for children, but the defendants are accused of creating false invoices for meals and then laundering the money through shell companies, passport fraud, and illegal kickbacks.

Juror Bribery

Recently, a juror in the case was dismissed after confessing that she was offered a bag containing $120,000 in cash in return for a vote of acquittal. The person offering the bribe allegedly promised another bag of money if she voted to acquit. Almost all the defendants, including the woman who offered the bribe, are of Somalian descent. Their defense strategy now appears to be exploiting diversity politics.

Expert Witness Testimony

Paul Martin Vaaler was called as an expert witness on "diaspora businesses" for the defendants. He argued that the payments reflect immigrants' preference for conducting business away from government scrutiny. Vaaler used this argument to justify the defendants' poor record-keeping and excessive cash transfers. He suggested that the millions of dollars sent back to Somalia could be seen as "remittances," claiming that it's the best kind of foreign aid because it bypasses government involvement.

Impact on the Judicial System

There are concerns that the Minnesota courtroom could devolve into a system akin to Somalia's, a country ranked by Transparency International as having the world's worst corruption, complete with cash bribes and juror intimidation. This potential institutional breakdown is seen as a direct consequence of the government's response to Covid. Under the leadership of Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota was a pioneer in implementing Covid lockdowns. The state of emergency declared in March 2020 lasted until July 2021, during which time Governor Walz closed schools and businesses and imprisoned dissidents. These actions led to the relief efforts that have been riddled with fraud.

Effects of the George Floyd Riots

Minnesota was also the epicenter of the George Floyd riots in May 2020. The federal courthouse hosting the Covid fraud trial is just three miles from the Third Precinct police building in Minneapolis, which was set ablaze by rioters. After the mayor ordered the police to evacuate, looters ransacked the evidence room and thousands celebrated the destruction of the building. Last week, the city spent $10 million to purchase land for rebuilding the precinct. As Minneapolis spearheaded the "defund the police" movement, crime rates soared, with murder, arson, robbery, and aggravated assault all seeing significant increases.

Decline in Quality of Life

The quality of life for Minnesotans has suffered across the board. A 2022 study revealed that Minnesota's government policy responses to Covid-19 cost each family of four nearly $7,500 in lost GDP by the end of the first quarter of 2021. Less than half of Minnesota students are proficient in math and reading, and test scores remain 10 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels.

The Assault on Western Civilization

The destruction of the Third Precinct and the ongoing trial at the federal courthouse symbolize the assault on Western civilization by the Covid response. Arbitrary and capricious orders have led to widespread corruption and impoverishment of the citizenry. When the government assumes control of fundamental aspects of civilized life, such as the right to associate, and presumes the right to manage all private and public life, including all civic institutions, the result is a departure from civilized life. Minnesota serves as a stark example, but similar situations are unfolding in many other parts of the country and the world as the fallout from the disaster continues to impact our lives.

Final Thoughts

This article offers a sobering look at the unintended consequences of government responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. It raises important questions about the balance between public safety and individual rights, and the potential for corruption and fraud when large amounts of money are involved. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered to your inbox every day at 6pm.