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That it is Scotland's progerative to govern their country as they see fit.
This is very true. It's also true about every government in the world.
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I personally do not back such a law but its simply no more ridiculous than American Sunday blue laws, or restricting cursing.
This is also true. But silly laws in one state do not justify silly laws in another.
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To understand where Scotland has come from one must understand her history. From the Battle of Culloden, to the Age of Enlightenment, to the Highland Clearances and the abject poverty in areas of Scotland.
OK, but what does that have to do will this silly law?
No country in the world loves big government as much as the US. If that weren't true we wouldn't spend more on our military (part of the government except to the severely myopic) than the next 8-10 countries combined.
The military governs itself, not the people of the country.
Thing is, Scotland is a nation with borders. It isn't like moving to another state, where that states values, is more in-line with yours.
At our beginning, we were to have 13 experiments in social behavior. The only rule, we were free to go what ever direction the state wished, as long as the people of the state were free, by the Bill of rights.
State Constitutions reflected the US Constitutions and added there own amendments.... and it began.
The Civil War, proved the Federal Government really didn't have any control, over the individual states.
Reconstruction made sure the Federal Government had full control over the states.
The movement toward extreme authoritarianism has been an ongoing and continuing process throughout history, and a careful review of history shows that authoritarianism is the rule rather than the exception. At times the pendulum may swing back toward individual freedom and self determination for brief periods, until such time as the authoritarians regain control.
This is likely due to the fact that selfishness trumps wisdom more often than not, so it's easy for the authoritarian to promote the authoritarian model by simply selling it's false benefits by appealing to the selfishness and prejudice of the easily deceived masses. These deceived masses haven't the faintest grasp of the underlying and broader implications of their embrace of authoritarianism, and how their own selfishness is used to control them.
Given that authoritarianism is the antithesis of freedom, it's amazing how easy authoritarians are able to convince the masses to accept, and even demand their own slavery. But upon close examination, it's pretty simple ... pick a self interest or a prejudice to use as the pretext .... it doesn't matter which, as each individual has several to choose from. Those that share such selfish interests and prejudices will form in groups and promote their particular cause. Whether it is race based ... economic ... gender ... political ... is irrelevant. It's the age old tactic of divide and conquer, all of it directed from the top of the pyramid ... the self anointed authoritarian controllers.
For example, they pit the non-smoker against the smoker by promoting the myth of the dangers of second hand smoke. The lines are quickly drawn, and the right of individual "choice" to smoke or not is instantly under attack, and the real target ... it has nothing whatsoever to do with the authoritarian actually caring about public health ... it is ALL about eliminating individual choice. By setting the precedent for this elimination of individual choice, tobacco is just one example, and easily replaced by any other example for which the authoritarian may proceed to choose next. And this is the incremental process used to eliminate freedom ... giving the authoritarian total control over everything.
The only way to defeat authoritarianism and preserve the much more desirable scenario of individual freedom is to understand how authoritarianism operates, and reject it, even when there appears to be a personal benefit, because this apparent benefit is an illusion. Don't take the bait, because it really is just a worm on a hook.
Yes, the non-smoker may successfully eliminate the odor of cigarette smoke in public space, but in doing so, will blindly and ignorantly promote the far more offensive foul stench of authoritarianism, and destruction of their own rights in the process .. ..... all of them, one by one.
No I do not. But I would still take the Scottish "nanny state" over the American "freedumb" any day. For most Americans it is just that - "freedumb".
You hate freedom so much you even have a pet word for it. Cute.
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