Thread: Nanny State Strikes Again!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Consider the ultimate Blue Law was prohibition in the early 20th century. So who pushed that on us? Extreme Right Wing and religious folks trying to make the population live according to their beliefs and you know what happened to that.

I grew up in NYC and the Blue laws said businesses could not operate on Sunday period (with few exceptions) once again some segment of the population trying to make others live their beliefs just in that case the almighty buck put an end to that but only when corporations decided to act.

I hear ya, BigSpendur-Really, the big Drug War that started in the 80's has had about the same effect: meaning little to none on people using them, but creating vast empires that operate with seeming impunity, as with the Mexican cartels that have violently killed tens of thousands-I have Mexican students who can tell some stories about that. I don't think governments often consider "the law of unintended consequences" that eventually lead to the REAL effects of well-intentioned legislation.

Not sure where to draw the line, as I am all for the bans on smoking in restaurants and public buildings in the name of public health (greater good), but we seem to be losing a lot of our freedoms in the name of "safety," and gradually becoming more and more regulated (ala Germany and Singapore). It is worth noting that two great ancient Chinese dynasties collapsed under the weight of excess bureaucracy.

Still, we are absolutely better off with building codes, safer cars, clean air and water, and other things we now take for granted. Bet we always seem to go to extremes in political cycles, rather than just thinking about what will provide the greatest good for the most people. And thus, we get the kind of government we deserve...

Aaron