On the day before one of the nation's most important elections in memory, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker decided to enter the fray by activating the National Guard and ordering a COVID curfew. That is voter suppression. Baker is attempting to make people afraid to go out and vote.

Just days after commanding Massachusetts residents to leave Granny and Grampy at home on Thanksgiving Day and to avoid dancing, singing, and shouting during their holiday celebrations, Baker has imposed a curfew and a new mask order on the citizens of the People's Republic of Massachusetts. Everyone over five must wear a mask at all times upon leaving the house.

Baker and his devious sidekick Karyn Polito are drunk on power. As if closing your houses of worship, schools, and businesses weren't enough, Baker now says any private gathering in your own home cannot exceed 10 people and must conclude by 9:30 pm. A 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew for non-essentials begins on Friday.

For real? Who is he looking to impact during those hours, alley cats? It's strictly a symbolic flexing of the muscle.

Above anything else, it's about control. By announcing the Guard activation and an idiotic overnight curfew, Baker hopes to scare people from going to the polls today. Don't let it work. We must all go out and vote.

By the way, just who is going to enforce Baker's new COVID restrictions? The City of New Bedford is closing a police station and is not filling vacant positions. Are the New Bedford Police going to be ringing your bell at 9:45 p.m. on Friday to do a headcount? Will they add patrols to make sure everyone on Purchase Street is wearing a mask? Yeah.

For a tall guy, Baker is a pretty small man who needs to remind you he is in charge. Perhaps Baker needs to be reminded that he works for us, not the other way around.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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