Posted by
Andrews on Friday, May 08, 2009 7:14:22 PM
Back when they were passing ever more restrictive smoking bans, I used to complain and non-smokers would pooh-pooh me and say they were just "common sense". And when they started passing food bans, more complained, but to some they were still just "common sense". And when they mandated seat belts and bicycle helmets, I was again poo-poohed as it was "common sense". Then came transfat bans, yet to some it was still "common sense".
So, for all those who just accepted the loss of freedom so long as it was "a common sense ban", please recall that our
utterly insane lead laws are "common sense" to someone. So you too have no right to complain.
POSTSCRIPT
This is one of many reasons I argue that "
pragmatic" government is so dangerous. When the law is created ad hoc with "common sense" as a guide, you often end up in wholly unexpected places, as your "common sense" often if not another's. And even if it is, sometimes the logical conclusions flowing from your "common sense" are much less sensible than you think.
Without principles we end up banning used toys and books published before last week in order to protect "the children". Children who will be naked, illiterate and without toys, but safe...