Does the government have the right to tell me how to dress?

Question

As long as I am not publicy showing my genitals, then how can cities tell me not to wear baggy pants?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/17/baggy.pants.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Answer 1

I expect to wear what I like, as long as Tiny is covered up.

Answer 2

NO actually they don't. if you run around naked technically they can't. in a democracy the majority votes you can't do that and so you can't. in a republic, the majority may not like it but they can't deny you your right to do it, after all your not harming anyone, and besides I could use a good laugh.

see the difference between a democracy and republic? a in the first the majority can deny the minority their rights. in the second they cannot. while we think that is a good law not to allow baggy pants because it offends a lot of people, then we may not care if we dont like baggy pants, but what if you have a favority outfit with alot of red and the city or town is say 25 percent amish, does that mean you can't wear red now because it will offend some people?

many amish people don't like red by the way. okay so you don't wear baggy pants, or red, now you wear jeans, what if some in the community say 51 percent hate jeans? now they make a law forbidding jeans? what is next outlawing shorts or pants on woman? many feel it is unlady like to wear pants, so what if the majority says a woman can never wear pants in public not even jogging in the park?

in a republic the government would say get over it or worry about your own life, in a democracy they would impose their dress code on others. so I say to people who are offended by things, yea whine about it, I do under my breath or with whom ever is with me I would never advocate legislation to force someone to dress my way however.

See where I am getting at? when a law doesn't affect us we think it is okay as soon as it treads on your rights, all of a sudden people have a problem with it. if you want your rights respected you have to protect and respect others. it is that simple.

give others the same rights you cherish yourself. there is no room in society for double standards or hypocrisy wanting our own rights protected while another is denied and we don't even blush or we say good for the government.

we are allowing the government to impose more and more control over ourselves which means we are now the slaves and not the masters over ourselves anymore.

RRRRR

Answer 3

They shouldn't be able to. I think most of the people supporting these laws are relgious fanatics who think baggy pants are a mark of the devil. Really? Seriously? Come on, there are so many other issues that are far more pressing than baggy pants. Some days I feel like the only sane person in the political world. Honestly, find something else to put your energies into. Granted, I don't necessarily want to see someone's crack, but I'd rather debate drug policies than pant policies....

Answer 4

No level of government has any "rights" at all. Governments have powers, not rights.

And in order to discuss whether or not any of the state and local governments mentioned in that article have the power to pass those laws, you'd have to investigate the state constitutions there. If it is plausible to interpret the Georgia state Constitution that the state and/or its local governments have been delegated the power to pass laws that deal with this kind of issue, then the state does indeed have the AUTHORITY to make the laws.

(I am getting sick and tired of people talking about "the government[s]" having or not having "rights.")

Answer 5

States and municipalities have some degree of power to enact laws about clothing - as "indecent exposure" laws demonstrate.

I don't know that there is a constitutional violation if a town enacts an ordinance saying people should wear shirts and pants, and not show their underwear. I believe it would pass a "rational basis" test.

I don't know that it's not a silly law, but if a town enacts it then people are free to campaign to get it repealed.

Answer 6

Cities don't regulate your attire unless it conflicts with their laws. Your community may not like that you wear baggy pants, but that is only an opinion.

Answer 7

Because you are showing your rear end!! It may not be bare but if a woman walks around in her panties she's going to be arrested, we all know and accept it. So why should males be allowed to? Do you know what baggy pants symbolize? Maybe thats part of it too.

Answer 8

I heard about this a while back. I don't see the point of doing this. I guess beaucrats will do anything to gain money. Why arn't they going after women who show too much cleavage? I hate feet, maybe they should give tickets to people who wear sandals. This is total BS.


Brianne: You obviously never heard of a thong bikini.

Answer 9

Sometimes certain clothing is worn a certain way by gang members to identify themselves with that gang. If the crotch down to your knees (looks stupid by the way) is one of those gang identifiers in your community you could be in danger either from a rival gang or because you might be mistaken for a member of a gang and arrested or hastled by the cops. Cities can do that in the name of public safety.

Answer 10

No they don't have that right. Things keep getting worse. I get hassled just because I like to go around barefoot. And by the way, there are absolutely no laws anywhere against bare feet!