Nanny State

I came across this earlier today. I admit I haven't read the book...yet. But by looking at the overview written by the author he sums up what I have been worried about for a long time. Slowly but surely we are giving away our rights to politicians, bureaucrats and activists. It all sounds good...IE eat less, don't drink too much, etc. But year after year, law after law...guess what happens? You and I have less freedoms. We also become more reliant on the state to tell us what to do. In the long run that is not a good thing.

What ever happened to personal responsibility?

Nanny State details the rise of the busybody -– those who act as our parents, making decisions for us in the name of health, safety and decency. Nanny State asks: Why are we allowing politicians, bureaucrats, and social activists to dictate what we eat, where we smoke, how much we drink or what we watch and read? The book argues that allowing government intervention in its citizens' private lives not only denies us freedom of choice, but also erodes our national character by promoting a culture of victimhood and dependence.

The target of the nannyists are never-ending: It could be Girl Scout cookies, swing sets, bicycles, cigarettes, alcohol, cartoons … In some Massachusetts towns, school-yard tag is banned. San Francisco has passed laws regulating the amount of water you should use in dog bowls. In California, some towns now ban smoking -- outside. Each day a new, more intrusive, law is proposed. And each day we lose a little more of our freedom.

Link to book site here

Link to author blog here

Hat Tip to Powerline for this story.