Should there be laws that protect me from me?

Question

I have no problems with laws that protect me from others (for example, drunk driving laws), but why does the government feel it needs to protect me from me? For example, why do they pass laws that say I need to wear a seat belt? I do anyway, but not because it is the law. And now New York is banning restaurants from using trans-fat. Instead, why not make the restaurants tell you what foods are cooked in trans-fats and let the consumer decide?

Answer 1

nope this is supposed to be a free country if you want to hurt others they should be allowed to stop you if you want to hurt yourself who cares ? " think of it as evolution in action "

Answer 2

Tough call. On one hand, our government was designed to ensure maximum liberty, so it seems pretty ridiculous to have mandatory seatbelt laws or banning trans fats from being used in restaurants. On the other hand, you could argue that failure to use seatbelts and use of trans fats in cooking affects everyone. Insurance companies end up paying out more money for people who don't wear seatbelts or eat unhealthy diets, and the end result is higher premiums for the people they insure -- even those who wear seatbelts and eat healthy diets. Is that fair? And you can't allow insurance companies to charge more for people who don't wear seatbelts or eat trans fats because someone would cry about discrimination. So which is the lesser of the two evils: Government regulation that may be inconvenient but has the best interests of the people at heart, or a greater measure of freedom that results in more expensive insurance across the board? It's not so simple, is it?

Answer 3

I would be fine with the seatbelt issue if you are required to carry a significant insurance policy to cover the ER fees and police costs that are so much higher when an unrestrained person flies through a winshield. A person without a seat belt also becomes a missile that can injure other passengers or people outside the vehicle.

I don't think the trans fat policy is reasonable; nor is it reasonable to prevent people who want to take their own life from doing so.

Answer 4

Democracy is getting smaller, smaller, smaller... smaller till you realize it exist only when you vote and when you become a rebel. Actually the problem is in diffrence between offering help to you and forcing help on you. Governments mostly do the second and it is mostly missed "help". Democracy now is incredibly small and you are totaly wright it must develope and in the way you show. It should be consumer decisions what to eat and full and honest information what you eat should become a law making democracy system beneficial as it should be.

Answer 5

I agree to a certain extent.

Here a short list of what I agree with:

Seat belts and motorcycle helmets. To save the stupid. Plus, it costs me more on my insurance premiums everytime some idiot sails through the windshield or smashes their pumpkin on the pavement.

Here is what I disagree with:

Smoking bans, trans fat and such laws. If you want to kill yourself through foods and other things you know are bad for you then go for it. Just don't try to file suit against anyone and don't cry cause you cant get health insurance.

Answer 6

The food industry hates labeling; they don't want consumers to make informed choices. They rightly believe educated people will pass on many of their products.

NYC tried to get a labeling proposal, the food industry fought it, so now they get a total ban. Compromise, it's a useful word.

Answer 7

Because not everyone can make an informed decision that is in their best interest. In addition, what you do to yourself has an effect on others. For example, I don't want to pay for your gastric bypass surgery when you gain 600 lbs. eating trans fats and can't work.

Answer 8

Arrrrrh Billyboy! Have you ever been to see! I'm Captain Mainliner, I mean Highliner, I mean..... Never mind Billyboy , you are what you eat and bearded clam is the best thing fer ya!

I am the Fringe and you just might need protection.

Answer 9

You are allowing the goverment to run your life. everytime you turn and look the other way they get you.Its a shame that we are slowly but surely becoming what we disise most. a commustist country

Answer 10

because the gov has a VERY long nose, and it likes to stick it into everyones business, just the reason we are at war right now. Because bush is too nosy!