LogFAQs > #982122011

I think my views are a little out of the mainstream on this, but I dont really believe the government should go too far in deciding what vices are acceptable and what should be banned. Partly because prohibition of any kind doesnt usually work. But mostly because I dont want government telling people what to do generally, and it is a slippery slope when the group in power get to decide the habits of adults based on their whims.

There are obviously some vices that are deadly enough to directly hurt other people that need to be regulated. But I have seen bills over the years looking to ban fast food, soda, video games and all sorts of stuff. Which is exactly the kind of thing you get when you start banning gambling etc.

My basic philosophy of government is that it should provide everyone opportunity and a good standard of living. Pour money into education, infrastructure, job training, social safety net etc.-and then get the hell out of the way and let us do what we want. Someone making bad decisions is part of the price of self determination and a free society. Unless they are directly hurting someone else, people should make their own choices. Government should educate about the perils of gambling, smoking etc. But I dont like whoever is making laws at the time deciding what vices or activities adults can or cant engage in.