I agree with her....

Taken from http://www.idsnews.com

Right to be stupid

By Cherry Blattert
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Published Monday, June 3, 2002
Updated 03:23PM Thursday, July 25, 2002
What's next on this highway of government protection? Since the government is taking great lengths to ensure safety, they should have highway checkpoints testing blood and urine samples to see if we're all taking our vitamins. If I don't sit with good posture, I might have back problems, and consequently, chiropractor visits. Better make house calls, in that case. The feds need to raid my pantry -- some of my snacks may be too high in fat. We must have all these measures to keep insurance rates low.

I hope this satire illustrates the absurdity of the new seatbelt laws. The "Click It or Ticket" program began with good intentions, I'm sure. The way the idea became popular was by promising low insurance premiums if seatbelt laws are in the books.

It's one thing for legislation to prohibit harmful actions from one person to another, although the government has gone overboard in legislating these types of laws. It's an entirely different situation, though, when personal actions are prohibited because Father Government knows what's best for us. Seatbelt restraints only help individuals. If I don't wear my seatbelt, you won't be harmed in any way.

The only exception is when parents fail to buckle up their children. This is a different issue, and I am in favor of the government enforcing laws requiring parents to buckle up their children. This legislation would prevent harm to children dependent upon their parents for safety.

I hope we all see the lunacy in allowing overzealous police officers to hold up traffic so they can pass out fines to those who aren't buckled up. That's the nuts and bolts of the argument: fines. Since not wearing your seatbelt has no affect on anyone other than you, the only real reason the government has for enforcing such a law is the revenue profited by such a measure. If we were to distribute all the revenue from seatbelt laws back to the people before it reaches the hands of the greedy government, the officers would not be so earnest in ticketing. They would not be so eager to pull everyone over during rush hour either. These officers want money and overtime.

While these police officers are standing in the streets hassling little old ladies, clergymen and other innocent citizens, you can rest assured that the thieves, rapists and murderers are not twiddling their thumbs waiting for the police to resume their real duties before these criminals commit their crimes.

Just remember, no matter how much the government tries to make you think otherwise, you still have a right to be stupid in this country. If you don't wear your seatbelt (you should), you and only you, will pay the price. Your family members may be upset, but perhaps they can persuade you to buckle up. If they can't persuade you to click it, neither can a ticket. Let's wait in anticipation then for the next round of enforcement: Click it or jail time. Then, perhaps: Click it or death penalty. Don't let these feds take away your rights.

It is true: Give them an inch, they'll take a mile. Seat belt laws seem harmless, but they are unnecessary and encroach upon your rights. Take a stand now, or it may be more than a ticket next time.