Modern-Day Puritans Want to Ban Things That Make Us Happy

http://reason.com/archives/2013/06/26/the-government-bans-fun-not-danger

Modern-Day Puritans Want to Ban Things That Make Us Happy

John Stossel | Jun. 26, 2013 12:00 pm


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Hedonism argues that everything tha feels good is inherently good. But that's not always true.

Regarding road safety, alcohol is a major contributor to road injuries and deaths. So is speeding. These two things, the gvt can control. Distraction or road hypnosis? They can't. At least for alcohol they put some science into it. What you have to worry about is the day the police can take your license on the sole ground that the officer decided, without need for evidence, that you were distracted.

I'll help you legalize Internet gambling if you help me ban john stossel.
And btw lets lighten up on puritans please! They get a really bad rap! I bet if puritans were still around we wouldn't have any of this crazy new rock n roll music that makes kids all sexed up.

I used to agree with this but after seeing the inner workings of the system I think there's more than meets the eye here. Most laws are passed because someone paid off a lawmaker. People who sell breathalyzers lobbied for the DUI laws... insurance companies lobbied to make DUIs rank higher as a felony so the insured pays more... prison industry lobbied for 3 strikes = jail... etc.

It gets even more fun when you grew up in a free society and see it morph into a fascist state like we have now. When you go camping there are signs everywhere that say no parking and when you get to a spot where parking is allowed, you're required to have a park pass or pay a toll. These people have been sitting back and watching us and preying upon us for a long time and now they've taken all the adventure out of life.

I agree, people should be able to park wherever they want, hunt wherever and what ever they want!!! In fact I think we should have more gambling casinos in parks like Yellowstone. We could knock down all the trees and have free parking for the casinos. Everyone could take advantage of the free drinks because we'll drop all the DUI laws (damn breathalyzer co's) and whe we're done drinking we can get our guns an shoot all the wild animals in the park ( this will be made easier with all the trees gone). Down with the fascist state!!!!

Donkey wrote: I agree, people should be able to park wherever they want, hunt wherever and what ever they want!!! In fact I think we should have more gambling casinos in parks like Yellowstone. We could knock down all the trees and have free parking for the casinos. Everyone could take advantage of the free drinks because we'll drop all the DUI laws (damn breathalyzer co's) and whe we're done drinking we can get our guns an shoot all the wild animals in the park ( this will be made easier with all the trees gone). Down with the fascist state!!!!

Please. There's no way you would be able to shoot wild animals after you've been drinking. You can barely do itg sober!

Desolous wrote:
Please. There's no way you would be able to shoot wild animals after you've been drinking. You can barely do itg sober!

YOU don't KNOW me (with finger wag)!

Perhaps puritanical laws don't have to make sense. They just have to leave us feeling righteous because we've done something to crack down on bad behavior.

It's all about power, power to control others, the squeekie wheel get the grease and I use that to get what I want. I do it because I want to and I can. It gives me a feeling of being in control and I can manipulate others to my will, POWER! It makes me feel righteous and better than everyone else and I like that feeling. By pointing out others people flaws it elevates me and justifies my superiority. Of course I'm better that everyone else. See what I've done.

No it doesn't make sense but I get what I want.

I think different people want different things and they pursue them. Would I be any different if I were them? Fight for what you believe. That is what they are doing.

prison industry lobbied for 3 strikes = jail... etc.

Why is there a prison industry to begin with. Police/justice/sentencing should exclusively be for the people, by the people, and in the people's interest.