Saturday, December 23, 2006

State GOP agenda

State House Republicans laid out their agenda (AP) for the upcoming legislative session. "They plan to focus on quality-of-life issues, the economy, the environment and health care. They also clarified their principles as Republicans, stressing the importance of personal freedom and responsibility." That sounds good.

But did anyone notice the State Senate Republicans bill to ban trans fats (AP) in restaurants? How does that bill jibe with "personal responsibility?"

For what it's worth, based on my reading of the "trans fats" article, CT restaurants are already reducing and ending their use, including fast food chains such as Wendy's and KFC.

Tim White
Town Council, 4th District

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Uh, the FDA says trans fats are OK. So if they beleive in "personal responsibility" why are they wanting to ban trans fats?

PS: I avoid them because I don't like trans fats

Anonymous said...

Don't confuse the House with the Senate.

redtown said...

Is there no end to the Nanny State?

When the public health busybodies were campaigning to ban smoking in all restaurants (versus allowing owners, patrons, and workers themselves to decide if to allow smoking), those concerned with Liberty predicted that after they won on smoking, they'd go after food next.

Short of enforcing sanitation standards, it's not the government's business to tell us what we can and can't eat in the marketplace. Sadder still to see two Republican senators pushing this intrusive agenda.

What area of personal choice will the activist busybopdies seek to curtail next?

Anonymous said...

I heard a rumor they are going to go after smoking in your car as well.

Anonymous said...

I heard they are going to make it so you can't pray in a church

Anonymous said...

I heard that they are going to make sure you can't take a breath without a permit

Anonymous said...

I heard they are going to change the name of the United States to the Nanny States of America

Anonymous said...

Notice that the Republican agenda is going to ban being nice to one another

redtown said...

Actually, some local health boards in Massachusetts have banned smoking in your own home if a plumber, etc is present -- even if in a different room.

And some preachers in Canada have been charged with "hate crimes" for reading bible passages in their own churches which they view as condemning same-gender relationships. (I disagree with that interpretation of the bible, but it's dangerous when legal authorities dictate to churches what they can and can't preach).

The Founders recognized that human nature is inclined to use power over others whenever possible. It's no different with modern liberal busybodies who sincerely believe they are promoting "health" and "tolerence" by curtailing others' rights. They believe that their "enlightened" ends justify their means.

Problem is, that can be a two-edged sword -- tomorrow it may be the rightwing strongman trying to impose his will. But then we'll have no more personal rights left to protect us from his abuse of goverment power.