We're being treated like women were treated. You know, for our own good. I don't like adults being forced to do what is "good" for them. There are worse things than dying because of bad habits. Topping the list is authoritarian "do gooders".

I have no problem with protecting children from what they shouldn't do and making sure that they don't accidentally shoot themselves or live on candy, but adults aren't children. They may not have any more sense at times, but that's something they are going to have to handle. It seems to me that much of the violence is the lack of control over their lives that people sense.

I know that there are times we will have to modify our "freedom" in order to live in a civilized society, but a truly civilized society will will not take away, any more than necessary, the choice of how we live our lives, as long as we don't use violence against anyone, no matter how "moral" or "right" the society (or group or church or political party or special interest) considers it's views to be.

I put all the qualifications I have put in the above paragraphs because life is full of qualifications whether we like it or not. I think that a government should be as minimal as possible but I also feel that we need a government, along with the military and police, since too many people aren't really interested in my idea of civilization and would like to force me into their version of "civilization".

What I don't like is being told to do something that is not harming someone else. What I eat is no one else's business. I do try to eat reasonably healthy so I'll feel good but I choose that. And sometimes I eat unhealthy food because it also makes me feel good, a different kind of good. I don't like being told what to read. I don't like being told how to dress. I don't like being told that I'm being told what to do because I'm too stupid to make my own decisions.

I may make stupid decisions but it is my right to make stupid choices. Actually most people do pretty well with the choices they're given, but some people just cannot stand the idea that someone will make different choices than they would.