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There was a thread asking who has changed their mind on an issue. It snuck up on me, but I realized today that I've moved from anti to pro nannyism. We had a state initiative last year to legalize pot here (WA). I voted against it, even though I used to smoke pot as a teen, regard it as less harmful than booze, and in any case believe that it's your body, your right.
Obamacare had already been signed into law. Under that scenario, it may be your body, but it's my wallet that's going to be tapped if you end up with respiratory or other issues from smoking pot.
We have a state-run exchange here for Obamacare sign ups. Of 176,000 enrollments, 9 of 10 are for medicaid. In other words, the taxpayer pays the bill. I don't drink/smoke/drug or even drink sugary drinks, so what do I care about a nanny state? But I will be helping to pay the bill for those who do, under Obamacare.
So now I say: bring on the nanny state. Ban tobacco, you've got my vote. Mayor Bloomberg restricting sugary drinks..you've got my vote too. War on drugs, hell yeah. Ban risky sports like tackle football, sure. Unsafe sex, unleash the vice squad. Mandatory waistline checks like in Japan--go for it. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/wo...anted=all&_r=0
I'm serious; this is a sea change for me as a voter. From now on the politician that promises restrictions on unhealthy behavior gets my vote, all other things equal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Higgs
We can have a free society or a welfare state. We cannot have both.
Forget state-of-mind, you should move to a state that is not a nanny state, let's you keep your money, and won't regulate the hell out of you. I think you would notice your wallet getting fatter, you might like that "state" too!
Gee, why do you stop your nanny state support at unprotected sex, booze, pot, tobacco and weight? How about banning cars, swimming pools, motorcycles, outdoor grills, climbing ladders, cutting up food with large dangerous knives, bicycles, dogs, cats, boats.......
The problem with libertarians like yourself is that you have a selective sense of morality. You don't want the religious right imposing moral laws but you want to take from those laws anyway and dictate which ones are right and wrong to impose on everyone else. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
Ever heard of 'the straw that broke the camel's back?' Obamacare is the tree trunk that broke the camel's back.
Obamacare pays for the health care we have given people for free since 1986.
No, you're making a silly statement without thinking it through. Making people buy insurance who didn't get it before is making them fit some of the bill tax payers have been filling for decades. I'd prefer a single payer system of some kind, but that isn't what we are going to get.
Choice is simple. Let hospitals and doctors deny care to those who cannot pay
Or....
Pay for that care.
Second choice isn't pretty, but a majority of Americans don't like option one.
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