2008 Woodie Awards
Letter: Democrats taking too much control?
Issue date: 1/24/07 Section: Opinion
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To the editor:
Yippee. Now that Democrats have taken control of Congress, we can all erupt in inconceivable jubilation, for they will surely be heralds of a fresh and enlightened leadership which bestows upon us great gifts of health, wealth, and happiness. In fact, our new leaders know so much about these things that they may even pass laws so that we can all become happy and healthy and wealthy. What a sweet deal!
Do forgive me for my sarcasm. If the recent activity in Democrat-controlled city councils like that of Philadelphia and New York is any indication, the American people may as well have elected the health police or, worse yet, Big Brother to Congress in November 2006. Take, for instance, the list of things the New York City Council attempted to ban last year in addition to the city's already-existing smoking prohibition. Among them: trans-fats, candy-flavored cigarettes, fast-food restaurants (but only in low-income neighborhoods), and pit bulls. Philadelphia has also outlawed smoking in privates clubs and restaurants, and a trans-fat ban has been proposed as well. What is wrong with that? After all, aren't they just trying to assist America's defenseless, obese, and helplessly poor consumers? Plus, no one likes to smell like smoke after a night out. It's icky.
Most people are quick to assent to this well-intentioned health legislation; our country is horrifically fat, and hundreds of thousands die from lung cancer each year. We need to do something to stop it. However, cementing a particular health agenda as hard law is not only condescending and insolent, but also impinges upon a most fundamental liberty to express ourselves how we see fit. (Even if that includes smoking a cigarette in a privately-owned bar or inhaling double cheeseburgers sopping with all sorts of God-knows-what). When we acquiesce to these health laws we are relinquishing some degree of control over our diets, and thus, our own bodies to the government. That is scary. That any government. local, state, or federal, can dictate behavior on the grounds of "health" opens a Pandora's Box of slippery slopes.
Yippee. Now that Democrats have taken control of Congress, we can all erupt in inconceivable jubilation, for they will surely be heralds of a fresh and enlightened leadership which bestows upon us great gifts of health, wealth, and happiness. In fact, our new leaders know so much about these things that they may even pass laws so that we can all become happy and healthy and wealthy. What a sweet deal!
Do forgive me for my sarcasm. If the recent activity in Democrat-controlled city councils like that of Philadelphia and New York is any indication, the American people may as well have elected the health police or, worse yet, Big Brother to Congress in November 2006. Take, for instance, the list of things the New York City Council attempted to ban last year in addition to the city's already-existing smoking prohibition. Among them: trans-fats, candy-flavored cigarettes, fast-food restaurants (but only in low-income neighborhoods), and pit bulls. Philadelphia has also outlawed smoking in privates clubs and restaurants, and a trans-fat ban has been proposed as well. What is wrong with that? After all, aren't they just trying to assist America's defenseless, obese, and helplessly poor consumers? Plus, no one likes to smell like smoke after a night out. It's icky.
Most people are quick to assent to this well-intentioned health legislation; our country is horrifically fat, and hundreds of thousands die from lung cancer each year. We need to do something to stop it. However, cementing a particular health agenda as hard law is not only condescending and insolent, but also impinges upon a most fundamental liberty to express ourselves how we see fit. (Even if that includes smoking a cigarette in a privately-owned bar or inhaling double cheeseburgers sopping with all sorts of God-knows-what). When we acquiesce to these health laws we are relinquishing some degree of control over our diets, and thus, our own bodies to the government. That is scary. That any government. local, state, or federal, can dictate behavior on the grounds of "health" opens a Pandora's Box of slippery slopes.
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