To say that the people of Michigan are not happy with their Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a massive understatement. As of today, more than 120,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding for Whitmer's recall.

Why Michiganders Want Whitmer Out

A description for the petition slams Whitmer's actions in response to coronavirus. Signers of the petition agree that the Michigan governor is "causing more Michiganders to get sick" with her policies.

Another issue of contention pertains to Whitmer's unfilled promises that she made while campaigning for her current position as Michigan's governor.

In the petition's own words:

"She has lied since day one with her #Fixthedamnroads which she has failed to do anything in this regards. The response to #PFAS was negligence and completely removing funding for #PureMichigan clearly shows her lack of anything positive for the State of Michigan."

If you want to sign the petition to remove Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer from office, you can do so here.

Reviewing Whitmer's Actions Amidst Coronavirus

In keeping with the actions of many Democrat governors, Whitmer signed and later extended a stay-at-home order for her state's residents. However, the specific provisions of the Michigan governor's order are more austere than many other states. Per Whitmer's mandate, Michiganders are banned from purchasing "non-essential" items, traveling to the homes of relatives or friends, visiting vacation homes, etc.

Whitmer's own words on the matter of limiting shoppers from purchasing certain items in stores are as follows:

"If you're not buying food or medicine or other essential items, you should not be going to the store."

The Michigan governor's stay-at-home order remains in effect until May 1, 2020, unless she decides to issue yet another extension.

The Rise of Authoritarianism Amidst COVID-19

Flattening the curve of coronavirus is essential; however, as many Americans recognize, using the COVID-19 situation as a path to usher in authoritarian policies is a problem.

As Michiganders who signed the petition to remove Whitmer from office acknowledge, forcing businesses out of work is harmful. Banning people from traveling to the homes of friends, family, etc. serves as a direct infringement on civil liberties and freedoms; the same principle applies to limiting which items shoppers can purchase in stores.

At this time, there is no telling when Governor Gretchen Whitmer plans to lift her shockingly strict stay-at-home order.