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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!sun!amdahl!ems
From: ems@amdahl.UUCP (ems)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Seatbelts (and absurd 'logic')
Message-ID: <2437@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Dec-85 16:46:59 EST
Article-I.D.: amdahl.2437
Posted: Fri Dec 27 16:46:59 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Dec-85 13:17:38 EST
References: <243@nvuxg.UUCP>
Organization: Circle C Shellfish Ranch, Shores-of-the-Pacific, Ca
Lines: 32

> 
> O.K...statistics prove wearing seatbelts saves lives.  I guess I'm just
> rehashing an old argument, but there are only a few things I get angry at
> and this is one of them. Our lives are our own responsibility, and slowly
> but surely our government is strangling our freedom of choice.

Here Here!!

> If I am not wearing a seatbelt, I'm not endangering anyone else but myself.
> Where is the line going to be drawn?  Is there going to be a law passed
> stating that all bathtubs MUST have a mat in them because statistics prove
> it decreases the chance of injuring yourself seriously in the shower?
> Is there going to be a law passed stating that everyone must keep the
> ice off their personal walkways to prevent slipping and killing oneself?
> 
> I realize I might be getting a bit carried away, but just think
> about it.
>
The argument goes something like this:  Since you are increasing
average insurance costs, you affect me by raising my insurance costs;
therefor I can mandate your behaviour.  You are not getting
carried away.
The same 'logic' can be applied to your home insurance
or to you behaviour on public property increasing Gov't insurance costs.

If this absurd agrument is held valid, no individual will be able
to take risks.

-- 
E. Michael Smith  ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems

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