What Did We Ever Do Before Nanny Government

"How Did We Ever Make It Before Nanny Government?" asks economist and author Walter Williams.

Think about the ways in which government makes decisions for us and hovers over us like a caregiver. I wonder why the human race did not die out before we turned our common sense over the the government. Here's a few examples of Aunty Government:

• School principals in Australia want teachers to have the power to police lunch boxes from home to remove any offending cookies or chips that are deemed unhealthy. They say teachers need the authority to enforce ‘healthy eating’ habits.


• Last year California lawmakers introduced a bill to criminalize spanking. The state has a $40 billion deficit lawmakers can't close, but their biggest concern is that some smartass kid doesn't get his rear end whacked by mom.


• If you live in Aurora, CO and you leave your car running unattended, police may hit you with a $75 fine. They say it makes it too easy for car hijackers. Here's a thought: It's my car. If it gets stolen, no one suffers a loss but me. If it causes my insurance premiums to increase, no one pays but me. If I'm willing to accept the consequences, what business is it of anyone else?


• The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 in effect prohibits gamblers in the U.S. from engaging in their pursuit over the Internet. Maybe next Congress will ban slot machines or Casino War, or any other game where they consider the odds anti-consumer.

Silly legislation like these examples only matter because of the government resources and treasure they suck up to enforce. It creates permanent bureaucracies like the Federal Trade Commission. It sucks money out of the private sector that might be used to hire people, buy equipment, and increase productivity and the general standard of living. Instead, we're saddled with enforcing bans on Internet gambling, ice cream in school lunchrooms or helmet-less motorcycle riders.

Just thought you might like to know.