Consumers are too stupid to make good choices

[--Pete]

Hi,

It only becomes excessive to me when people think the world should be made out of nerf.

You have completely missed the point. It is not whether seat belts or motorcycle helmets are a good idea that we are discussing, it is whether a law requiring their use is a good idea. Or, to phrase it differently, to what extent should the government protect us from ourselves?

Personally, I think that no laws should exist whose purpose is to protect us from ourselves. Stupidity should be its own (preferably fatal) reward. Or, in the words of Niven and Pournelle, "Think of it as evolution in action." To those who would argue otherwise, I ask where the line should be drawn. Do we ban fatty foods? Late night TV, since so many are sleep deprived? Recreational swimming? Sports, since so many are injured?

--Pete