I'm sad that our former country has gotten to where I have to ask this.

Other than the obvious TX, what states have had the most minimal or shortest lockdowns and overall are decent as far as freedom prospects? I'm fed up. I have to move to a state that has a decent chance of remaining free for a while. There are so many RINOs that it isn't as simple as looking up states with R governors and legislatures.

I have other requirements on the state I move to that will filter most of them out, but I don't want to dox myself too hard. I know some of you guys have a good bead on this aspect. Maybe this will help everyone who is thinking about uprooting their old lives as we approach 9 months into wanton lockdown destruction.

When all this started, my county's lockdown edicts were clearly given as recommendations, on a colorful graphic. I tried explaining this to a friend who was treating it as if she'd be arrested if she left her home.

Gradually everyone went along with the ever-increasing restrictions as if they were the law, succumbing to the intimidation tactics by police and politicians.

There's a reason we have a legislature on every level of government. No leader can lawfully issue edicts of this magnitude. These are all suggestions. As soon as they threaten to arrest people or pull a business license, people cower. They don't question it. They're so terrified of the mere threat of getting punished that they have no balls to stand up, call the bluff, and threaten right back if their rights are being violated.

I don't see how they can lawfully do anything they're doing and force citizens to comply, even under a state of emergency. They can't close off taxpayer-funded parks or playgrounds, shut down businesses, none of this.

Am I wrong? What is going on here legally?