Two things stick out like broken thumbs in comments about this thread.
Helmet laws, whether you like them or not are specific to a tiny group of people. Motorcycle riders. 4500 killed each year, a smaller portion due to lack of helmet. Sad? Yes. Cause for the government to force anything on us? No. Now before you all get your knickers in a knot, I think any one stupid enough to ride a motorcycle with out a helmet is deserving of the consequences of their actions. I know they save lives as one saved mine. You don't wear a helmet I don't ride with you and have very little compassion for your idiocy.
Compare the deaths from drunk driving per percentage of drivers or miles driven. It is against the law almost anywhere to drive drunk. Does it keep loonies from doing it? Nope.
Seat belt laws. Save lives? Yep. Obeyed all the time? Nope.
How about the teenage texting/sexting truants who maim, kill, damage on our roads? There are laws against such a thing in many, many states. Does it keep folks from doing it? Nope.
Laws by them selves solve very little and change very few minds. Just because it is a social issue today doesn't mean we need a special law to solve a "stupid decision mistake". You drink to much soda, smoke, drink to much, eat butter or other fatty foods we need a law to protect you? Nanny state mentality.
National health insurance for the masses. In the USA we have had a type of safety net for those ill for years. Most hospital never turn patients away. Most pharmacies have low cost/no cost medicines for the indigent. Charities around the country have been helping those less able to get major medical help for years. Shrinners, Jewish childrens foundation, Kidney foundation and our own governments medicaid programs. Millions of folks a year use these systems but we never think in terms of ordinary people supporting our less able neighbors. We want government.
What ever happened to being responsible for our selves and taking responsibility for those less fortunate?
