Two stalwarts of the libertarian right chimed in on the measles outbreak and vaccine debate occurring today in the United States during the past few days.

Glenn Beck Image/Video Screen Shot
Glenn Beck
Image/Video Screen Shot

First, radio talk show host and President of The Blaze, Glenn Beck went on the air to call the measles outbreak a “hoax”.

“The measles hoax, is it possible we’ve all been lied to about the measles, this outbreak?”, Beck said.

“And now we are being told all kinds of things for one purpose–for the herd mentality to get us all to grab our children and obey the government.”

Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a retired OB/GYN, discussed the issue of vaccination mandates.

“If I were still a practicing ob-gyn and one of my patients said she was not going to vaccinate her child, I might try to persuade her to change her mind. But, if I were unsuccessful, I would respect her decision. I certainly would not lobby the government to pass a law mandating that children be vaccinated even if the children’s parents object.

“Those who are willing to make an “exception” to the principle that parents should make health care decisions for their children should ask themselves when in history has a “limited” infringement on individual liberty stayed limited. By ceding the principle that individuals have the right to make their own health care decisions, supporters of mandatory vaccines are opening the door for future infringements on health freedom.”

Related: Vaccines: An interview with Dr. Paul Offit  

Dr. Rand Paul and his medical mishaps of the mouth 

Anti-vaccination views linked to low confidence in the government: Study