The Pros and Cons of Government Interference

[goat starer]

seatbelts - in the back you are not protecting yorself but the person in front of you - should be a legal requirement

in the front -  - if you sustain horrible injuries it does not affect only you but your family, work and the national health service (UK) (ie. every tax payer) - should be a legal requirement. people flying through the front window can cause damage to pedestrians, people in the car they have hit, street furniture etc. Also hardly nice for the ambulance crew that have to scrape you off the tarmac, remove the steering wheel from your chest cavity etc.

If people cant be sensible / give a toss about others than i say legislate EVERYTHING. There is very little that only affects you. I'm all in favour of government interference. I want a nanny state until the human race can pass some kind of test to show that they are mature and intelligent enough to behave responsibly. Thats why we have governments - they are a recognition that most people are stupid, stubborn, ill intentioned, mean, avaricious, unthinking and downright nasty much of the time. I am all in favour of anarchy but only when people have evolved out traits that make them thoroughly irresponsible.

and lets make a good secret police force like the Stasi to keep all these anti social muppets in line.

[Griffin NoName]

Thats why we have governments - they are a recognition that most people are stupid, stubborn, ill intentioned, mean, avaricious, unthinking and downright nasty much of the time.

But has there been any research into whether having governments actually cause these traits in people?

[pieces o nine]

I always wear a seatbelt, regardless of whose car I am in. So far, I've required everyone riding in mine to wear one as well, although I'd make an exception for someone with a legitimate medical reason.

* M * O * M * A * L * E * R * T * I do remember my mom's mom always wearing her shoulder harness under her arms and bosom. Mom tries to not wear one at all when a passenger. I come from a line of hardened traffic scofflaws! On the rare occasions when Mom has been in my car, we follow the same script...

PoN: *waits*

Mom: *outwaits*

PoN: *clears throat*

Mom: *rearranges purse on lap*

PoN: "Please put on your belt; thanks."

Mom: "Well, you know I usually wear one."

PoN: "Well, that's good."
        *continues waiting before turn key in ignition*

Mom: *sighs in exasperation*
         "How about if I just hold it in front of me, and click it if we get stopped?"

PoN: "How about if you just click it now to save time?"

Mom: *waits*

Pon: *outwaits*

Mom: *gruntled*   "All right."   *clicks belt*

PoN: "Thank you."   *starts car*     

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

My MIL tries to avoid it but at least she complies with the request way quicker.

[goat starer]

Thats why we have governments - they are a recognition that most people are stupid, stubborn, ill intentioned, mean, avaricious, unthinking and downright nasty much of the time.

But has there been any research into whether having governments actually cause these traits in people?

yes. chimps are stupid, stubborn, ill intentioned, mean, avaricious, unthinking and downright nasty much of the time without the help of governments.

although I would accept that many of these traits can be exacerbated and are actively encouraged by Tory governments.