LogFAQs > #950323858

MrMelodramatic posted...

The government should take away people's "right" to do something of it is in the people's self-interest, or for their health, etc. this includes stuff like making vaccinations mandatory, and K12 schooling, and seatbelts

In general, should people be able to do things that are hurting them (whether intentionally or not) without reprimand, or should the government try to stop people with fines, jail time, taxes, yadayada

While I don't think we should protect people from themselves, a lot of these cases end being examples where broader society pays the price for someone's stupidity, and I think it's important to prevent that.

Seat belts? Keeps the driver from flying out of the vehicle and colliding with or causing additional distraction towards other drivers.

Vaccinations? It's necessary for most to be vaccinated to eliminate the spread of the illness, and to protect those who are unable to receive the vaccine like infants or immuno-compromised.

Eating garbage food? Raises health care costs for everyone to cover your ass.

Smoking? see previous entry, but also exposes people to 2nd hand smoke and even 3rd hand smoke (residue remains on surfaces for years afterwards).

K-12 education? An uneducated populace is how we get people like Donald Trump as president.

Nearly every stupid fucking thing someone can do to themselves, can ultimately harm broader society in some way. I was a firm supporter of that "challenge" a few years ago involving fast-acting packages of a certain brand's laundry detergent, though (I'm guessing I'd get modded for even saying it by name). Stuff like that's fine, just removes dumb people from the gene pool w/ no collateral damage to others.