We've actually gotten to "that" point. "What do you mean, Rueuhy?" you may ask. While reading my local newspaper I cam across a story from New York state. Apparently an appeals court was asked to rule on the legality of the New York City Board of Health declaring an end to soft drinks being sold to the public larger than 16 oz. Yes, we've gotten to "that" point. "That" point is the point of very little return. The problem with such a ruling by a government run health board, or any agency, to put limits on the size of a soft drink, or as the health board determined as high-calorie soft drinks, is a basic issue called freedom. Now freedom can come in many forms. But ultimately freedom is the ability to make a choice for oneself. In regards to those under the legal age of maturity, the ability for guardians to make a choice for those under their care is just as important. When a ruling such as limiting the size of a soft drink is made, the door opens for many more rulings to follow. When an argument is made that this ruling or this law or this mandate is only for one thing, it rarely stops there. Once the argument has been made for one simple rule or law than the same argument can be made based upon that ruling for more rules and laws to follow based upon the same reasoning. It's called the "power of invariability". I just made up that term but I think it's pretty straight forward in its meaning. Once a governing body is able to curtail people's actions, which only affect the health or well being of an individual and no one else, than that body is able to further its management of people's affairs in the best interest as seen by that governing body. The individual has lost his/her ability to make their own choice because someone else knows better. There are seven words in the English language that have become commonplace but should be held to a higher standard. The seven words are these - There Should Be A Law Against That. Every time those words are uttered there is the probability of people losing another right to make their own choice about something. Now, let me be clear on this, I'm not advocating the free reign of people to hurt or act in any manner they choose. We are a collection of individuals and each individual should be able to live freely and act and choose responsibly. But in the United States, at this point in time, we are constantly second guessing ourselves in everything we do. Because of the bounty of laws being created every year by bureaucracy in legislative bodies that can't possibly enforce all the old laws but feel it's in their own interests (that next election is just around the corner) or as an extension of their power (the people have given me control and I will control). Every new law that is passed is just another nail in the coffin where old school freedom lays at rest. For some reason people feel more comfortable in allowing someone else to make all their decisions for them. Can I enter a restaurant and order a small soda? Yes, I've done it many times. Should the government stand at the counter, via the law as an extension of power, and tap my shoulder and say, "NO!"? The answer is no. We need rules to live as civilized people but the problem we run into is the authoritative state becoming such a monster that no one controls it anymore. A few feel like they control it but they're just fooling themselves. Think of AI (artificial intelligence) on a government level. Once the government stopped listening to The people, and started telling The people how to live, it became an unsustainable monster. And The People sat back watching their tv's and listening to their personal music devices and just thought "it's much easier this way." If only they could read the history books and find out what happens to empires that become that powerful. The problem is there are many who are waiting to hear from the government when to be scared. Or at least wait until CNN or MSNBC tells them. But, the media is just waiting for the government to tell them when to let The People know. My name is Rueuhy and I approve this blog.
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