"Not only does this violate every tenant of freedom we, as Americans, hold dear, but it's also just plain wrong.  It is possible, in fact, perfectly logical, to be both pro-vaccine and anti-mandate. A leader builds consensus with people to put forward ideas or programs mutually agreed upon as good, needed, and necessary. On the other hand, a dictator mandates because they do not require or enjoy the support of the people. Unfortunately, Connecticut and America are currently devoid of leaders. Pronouncements are made from on high and imposed upon the people without their consent or the support of their elected representatives. That's not how a Democracy works. It's not how a Republic works. It's not how the United States of America works, and it's certainly not how the Constitution State works." Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto said. "What's next? Will people who did not opt to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have to identify themselves in public wherever they go? Who will receive this treatment next? People who don't get the Flu Vaccine? When our government seeks to separate us by race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, medical history, wealth, income, or any other factor unique to each of us, they do not unite us in a singular cause but rather divide us and cause us to pick sides against our neighbors. Democrats thrive on dividing us and setting us upon ourselves. Democrats thrive on demanding that the people bow down to the government and its so-called "wisdom" and be told how to live their lives, raise their family, make a living and when we choose not to obey, they seek to set neighbor upon neighbor to build their power base."

Proto said, "Enough is enough!"

Proto continued, "For the record, I am vaccinated, and my family is vaccinated. I actively encourage people to get vaccinated. I believe it is the single best thing we can do to help bring this pandemic to an end. However, it is not for the government or me to tell anyone that they MUST have a substance injected into their body. Vaccination is an individual's choice, a choice I hope they make following research and with confidence. I outright condemn the Governor for his disrespectful and authoritarian overreaches into people's lives- and this proposal is one of the worst yet. Let's stop pitting people against each other and stop dictating people's lives via government fiat. Freedom matters. Governor Lamont and President Biden would do well to remember the words of the Dali Lama - 'Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom.'"