Fellow Mainers: Do You Feel That Maine Is Becoming A "Nanny State?" (apartments, insurance)

[Maine Writer]

I've been thinking of a few. Don't smoke in cars with kids - duh. Seat belts? I'd rather you did but I'm not going to say you have to. Helmets on motorcycles, entirely not up to me since I'm not riding ever again. Licensing kind of gets me. I have to license my greenhouse for seedling sales. Every year I pay the fee, every year I'm not inspected. (adding - I was inspected once, 15 years ago when we lived in town.) I turn over my money for nothing. But, if someone sells diseased plants they can be tracked down more easily if they're appropriately licensed. The highest greenhouse license fee is $25 so it's not bad. The year I didn't license would be the year someone showed up. There are things we just do because we're not hurting anyone or anything.

[BacktoNE]

I know, I know, I'm a goody two-shoes but I really have no problem with the so-called Nanny laws. I don't smoke anyway, I stopped drinking in my late 20's, and I don't own acreage.


Most of these laws are put into place for those people who are too stupid to take care of themselves. Until "felony stupidity" becomes a law, the Nanny laws need to stay in place. They actually protect those of us who do know better from those who don't.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by contented

some would say it's an annoyingly progressive state. the nanny thing i'll believe when mainers have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle...............thoughts?

Yes. "Legislating common sense" again; however, I think the only reason the helmet law hasn't yet been put on the books is because there's a vast, vocal majority who will riot in the streets if it passes. Be on the lookout for that because things have a way of being passed after being introduced - repeatedly.
On a personal note: I wish more of those types of people would get fired up about other personal "freedoms" being lost. I would wear a helmet but I will be "you-know-what" if I'm going to tell you that you have to wear one. It's your head.

I also take umbrage with the argument that it's costing my tax dollars when people have severe injuries when they get into an accident without one. That's an entirely differing matter to me - totally unrelated to personal freedom. To me, that boils down to personal responsibility, and monetary priority.

An example of that would be the fact that there's more than plenty of money being wasted by people who use Emergency Rooms as primary healthcare providers. There are countless laws (federal) that demand a pt be seen no matter what. That's not a BAD thing by any means, but it's got too many loopholes for waste IMO.

[cebdark]

[quote=broadbill;6957444]Healthcare actually doesn't cost a lot, its that we PAY a lot for our level of healthcare. Very different. {quote]

Oh, I have to respectfully disagree with that, but only to a certain degree. I've got experience in the field. I've seen the bills. You're right that we do pay a lot for the level of healthcare, because if we didn't pay the inflated price, hospitals and providers would close. IMO, that's because are covering defaulted bills when patients (or the state of maine for that matter) can't or won't pay. Not right by any means, but reality nonetheless.

It's a very vicious circle - Blue Hill Memorial Hospital is finding that out right now. I hope Dr. Steele can dig them out of that mess because a hospital facility is definitely needed in that area. Having to dispatch Lifeflight to ship criticals to Bangor would be much more expensive.

[broadbill]

[quote=reloop;6958100]

Originally Posted by broadbill

Healthcare actually doesn't cost a lot, its that we PAY a lot for our level of healthcare. Very different. {quote]

Oh, I have to respectfully disagree with that, but only to a certain degree. I've got experience in the field. I've seen the bills. You're right that we do pay a lot for the level of healthcare, because if we didn't pay the inflated price, hospitals and providers would close. IMO, that's because are covering defaulted bills when patients (or the state of maine for that matter) can't or won't pay. Not right by any means, but reality nonetheless.

It's a very vicious circle - Blue Hill Memorial Hospital is finding that out right now. I hope Dr. Steele can dig them out of that mess because a hospital facility is definitely needed in that area. Having to dispatch Lifeflight to ship criticals to Bangor would be much more expensive.

I'm sorry...what exactly are you respectfully disagreeing with me about?

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

I know, I know, I'm a goody two-shoes but I really have no problem with the so-called Nanny laws. I don't smoke anyway, I stopped drinking in my late 20's, and I don't own acreage.


Most of these laws are put into place for those people who are too stupid to take care of themselves. Until "felony stupidity" becomes a law, the Nanny laws need to stay in place. They actually protect those of us who do know better from those who don't.

I don't think you're a "goody two-shoes" because you are living the way that you feel you should live.

Now let me preface this question by first saying that I respect your opinion - honestly - I'm not trying to pick a fight , but I do have one question:

Have you ever considered how you would feel if the state decided to pass a law against something you do (good, bad, or indifferent) because someone, somewhere considered it "felony stupidity" and decided there "ought be a law" passed against it? Now obviously, I'm not talking about common sense things like running over someone on purpose , I'm talking about things that protect you from yourself.

Okay, 2 questions . Unless my body flew through my windshield and went through yours (plausible I suppose, but not statistically probable) how would my wearing a seatbelt protect you?

I'm endlessly fascinated with how all of this "progressivism" gets passed, so I guess that's why I opened my big mouth and started this thread in the first place. I picked this forum because I've been reading some very smart people's opinions, and I like that no one seems to "pussyfoot around" Thanks to all of you who respond!

[cebdark]

[quote=broadbill;6958400]

Originally Posted by reloop

I'm sorry...what exactly are you respectfully disagreeing with me about?

Sorry, brain fog - forgive me

Just that healthcare doesn't cost a lot. I guess I've just been hearing that it doesn't cost a lot when in fact, it really does, but there are soooo many reasons for that.
Thanks

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

Isn't that due to the socialistic form of government?

I'd have to say yes, when you get right down to it.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by RANGER.101ST

controlled comunisum,your land aint your land,put your seat belt on,and many more.i got a paper from the town the other day.they wanted to know what i had for equipment.like tractors,backhoe,dozer.why so they can tax me for them.even my rideing lawn mower,can you immagine they want to tax me for haveing a rideing lawn mower.freedom my as#.tax happy moth#$%^&*&#@!!!.

I feel your pain. All we claimed was a snowplow. I was told that this is one of those "not enforced until we are dead broke" tax laws that's been on the books forever. Small consolation that is.

Grumble, mumble, $%^&*!

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by reloop

I don't think you're a "goody two-shoes" because you are living the way that you feel you should live.

Now let me preface this question by first saying that I respect your opinion - honestly - I'm not trying to pick a fight , but I do have one question:

Have you ever considered how you would feel if the state decided to pass a law against something you do (good, bad, or indifferent) because someone, somewhere considered it "felony stupidity" and decided there "ought be a law" passed against it? Now obviously, I'm not talking about common sense things like running over someone on purpose , I'm talking about things that protect you from yourself.

Okay, 2 questions . Unless my body flew through my windshield and went through yours (plausible I suppose, but not statistically probable) how would my wearing a seatbelt protect you?

I'm endlessly fascinated with how all of this "progressivism" gets passed, so I guess that's why I opened my big mouth and started this thread in the first place. I picked this forum because I've been reading some very smart people's opinions, and I like that no one seems to "pussyfoot around" Thanks to all of you who respond!

I agree that seatbelts should be personal choice. My DH & I would continue to use them, but there shouldn't be a law saying we have to. My oldest brother lost his best friend many years ago because the guy was wearing a seatbelt that jammed, the car caught fire, and well, you get the very ugly picture. My brother could never stand to wear a seatbelt after that.

I am all for drunk driving laws and think they should be made even stricter. Sadly there are still way too many people who see nothing wrong with knocking back a few and then driving themselves home. (Keep in mind that I am currently in WI, home of the largest population of binge drinkers in the country.)