"Never before have so many written so much to be read by so few."

I will write about anything that disturbs me, concerns me, scares me, puzzles me or makes me laugh. I hope to be able to educate regularly, and entertain most of the time.

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

How About Supersizing My Freedom?


                I have previously reported on my efforts to determine the proper political nomenclature for me.  I thought I might be a libertarian, a term that has many definitions, but found I did not really fit into any of them exactly.  I finally decided I am a fiscal, political and moral conservative with libertarian leanings.  I believe the less government intrusion, the better.  Government should take the minimum required actions “to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty” for all of us. 
                The tension I feel concerns the beliefs I hold regarding morality and the convictions I have regarding freedom.  I believe there are some very specific behaviors that are acceptable to God and some that are abhorrent to him.  Yet, short of a theocracy, I believe everyone in our democratic republic should have the right to be stupid.  So, any behavior not adversely affecting others should be allowed, as long as the resulting consequences are allowed as well.  If a motorcycle rider wants to crash without benefit of a helmet, or an automobile driver/rider decides to tempt fate by not wearing a seat belt, so be it.  But don’t expect me to pay for medical care and years of rehabilitation.  You take the risk, you pay the price.
                My biggest area of tension has been in the area of drug use.  But, I’ve decided that if a person wants to waste his/her life for some short-lived ecstasy, let them.  However, I have no problem outlawing drug use that is likely to result in behavior that will adversely affect others.  For instance, the so-called “bath salts” drugs, meth, LSD and similar drugs are known to alter a person’s state of mind in such a way as to make them dangerous to the rest of us.  The recent face-eating, drug-crazed naked, growling Florida man is a prime example of how these drugs are dangerous to all of us.  So, we the people should intrude into those people’s lives and prohibit the manufacture, sale, purchase and use of those kinds of drugs.  Otherwise, let stupidity take its course.  When stupid actions result in danger for others, we should deal with it swiftly and surely.
                The issue that has prompted this reflection is the proposed ban of all sweetened soft drinks over 16 ounces in New York City.  Mayor Bloomberg believes he should take this action in order to protect his constituency from themselves.  The percentage of obese Americans has risen some in the past five years, but still remains at about 25%.  So, the mayor wants to inconvenience 100% of the residents of New York City in order to force the 25% to find the inevitable loopholes in the law.  A person who wants to drink 32 ounces of soda will simply get a refill for the 16 ounce one he/she just purchased.  The bigger issue, however, is the intrusion of government into our private lives.  How can anyone who has even the most elementary understanding of the word “freedom,” as used by our founding fathers, think this is acceptable? 
                It seems to me there is a basic belief by those who desire laws like this one, that we are all incapable of making the “right” decisions; decisions that are determined by the government nannies.  Happy Meals were targeted by the city of San Francisco, which outlawed the toys that come with the meal.  Teachers in some schools have taken it on themselves to decide if students have brought acceptable food from home, and have confiscated items they deem unhealthy.  Los Angeles County has aggressively tried to prevent the consumption of raw milk.  All of these examples are predicated on the assumption that we the people are too stupid to make these decisions for ourselves.  If Mayor Bloomberg can now outlaw a particular size of soda, other restrictions can’t be far behind.  While about 26% of Americans are obese, 20% of Americans will have skin cancer some time in their lives.  Can the law forcing us to wear sunscreen and hats be far away?
                Many states have banned smoking from just about every indoor space.  I am thankful for the clean air, as I have always detested the smell of cigarette smoke, but I am not convinced that the government should be involved in regulating private businesses in this manner.  If I don’t like cigarette smoke, I won’t patronize places that allow smokers.  I won’t apply for a job at a place that permits smoking.  If there are enough people like me, private business owners will court my dollars by providing a non-smoking environment.  If a business wants my expertise, they will provide a smoke-free environment for me to work.
                The people of California will get to decide whether or not smokers should pay another dollar per pack for their cigarettes.  The money will supposedly be used to research cancer.  Many non-smokers will vote for this tax because it won’t affect them.  Well, that’s not exactly true.  This time it won’t affect them, but what will the next issue be?  Will there be an onerous tax on sugar and edibles containing sugar?  After all, there is an obesity epidemic.  Someday, will there be an extraordinary tax on meat?  It is supposedly bad for us, and it requires the cruel killing of animals.  I find smoking rather repulsive, but if it doesn’t affect me, why should I have the power to tell smokers they can’t smoke or that they have to be punished for their poor health choice?
                There was another government that imposed taxes on its people for items like paper, glass, sugar and tea.  The people took it for a while, and then decided to throw off that oppressive government.  But, alas, the new government formed as a result of that conflict has forgotten its roots, and is becoming its former enemy.

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