Jan 15, 2009
Belting it Out
I wear a seatbelt 99% of the time, but I heartily concur with Mr. Ellis’ take on the possibility that South Dakota may make seat belt offenses primary (allowing for traffic stops in and of themselves):
However, that is my choice. While I support mandatory restraints for children, I firmly believe it should be up to adults to decide whether to wear a seatbelt or not. Though I believe it is foolish not to wear one, it should be the decision of the adult. No immoral act is involved and no one else is being harmed if you don’t wear a seatbelt. An adult should make that call for themselves, and an adult should live with the consequences.
We do not need yet another dubious reason for increasing the number of traffic stops.
Disseminate via | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | StumbleUpon
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
NT
15 January 2009, 22:39, UTC
Agreed. Wearing seatbelts, wearing motorcycle helmets, flossing daily, regular bathing, reading the Bible, and eating vegetables are all good ideas and are recommended. However, every good idea doesn’t need to be made into a law, especially when it trumps the right of an adult to take this matter of personal responsibility into his own hands.
I find it ironic that Mr. Heidepriem, a key supporter of this bill, thinks that it is OK for the government to take away a person’s choice in this matter, while adamantly standing against the government restricting the most fundamental right of all, a woman’s “right to choose” to kill her own child. (sarcasm) I think that his view of the role of government is a little off. Government should stand up in defense of the weakest members of society, and expect the stronger ones to take responsibility for themselves, not vice versa.
Michael Woodring
16 January 2009, 8:51, UTC
NT,
Sounds like you espouse the idea of “as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me” principle. None of us is absolutely consistent, but your point re Mr. Heidepriem is valid and appropriate.