This is a topic I have been giving a lot of thought to lately. Are we losing our rights to make our own decisions? What do you think?
A few examples below:
There is no smoking allowed in restaurants and most public places these days. That right has been taken away from smokers. (I don't smoke, but that's someone's right.)
There's talk of no soda's in New York (not sure if this is for everyone or just obese people)
I've heard they want to do away with cupcakes in schools because of the sugar content. (I do like my sweets.)
Rove Versus Wade - Abortion or not. (If this were overturned it would take a right away from someone. Personally, I don't like the idea of abortion, but it's not my decision. I've never had one.)
McDonald's - There are people who want to close McDonald's because of all the calories in their food. (I like a Big Mac on occasion)
I could give more cases, but I think this is enough for you to get the idea. None of these examples have affected me, but what I'm concerned about is where does it end?
All of these instances are for our good or to save babies. Okay, I think abortions are wrong, but at the same time I believe in the right for women to make their own choice. The time is going to come when something you want the right to do will be taken away from you and me. It scares me, and I think you should be scared to.
On a lighter note, Romance Books 4 Us is having their Christmas in July contest. For details go to http://romancebooks4us.com
That's it for this week. I won't be seeing you next Sunday because I will be on vacation. I will be back on July 22nd with a new blog.
I hope everyone can stay cool this summer.
Hugs,
Sandra K. Marshall
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/sandramarshall
15 comments:
Happy Fourth of July. I think its unfair for people not to make their own choices!
the older I get, the more important it becomes to make my own decisions and to allow others to do so. But I have to admit that I get annoyed when your choice (riding a motorcycle without a helmet) costs me money, directly or indirectly. so i'm not sure where it stops.
your post made me think this morning and it's too early for that. I agree with no smoking. here in Calgary you can't smoke within 15 feet of the doors of a place of business. as a former smoker I don't mind - since I hate walking out thru the wall of smoke. i'm pro-choice but anti abortion.
must get coffee have a good weekend.
So, do I, K.T. Thanks for coming by.
I believe the government needs to stay out of our business as much as possible. I agree with you with the exception of smoking. I think it is my right to enjoy a meal in a restaurant or bar without breathing second hand smoke. Louisville has had a smoking ban for many years in all public places. I think it is going too far to say what you eat and drink. I do agree with safety rules such as seat belts, helmets, and cell phone use since this does affect costs of others indirectly or directly.
LOL Louise, the point was to make everyone think. Thank you for coming by. I feel pretty much the same way you do on these topics.
There are way more topics to address just had to limit myself.
Thanks, Belinda. As much as I hate smoke if you make an exception it doesn't ever stop. Does it? I see it going on and on, which is giving me an idea for another blog.
I totally agree that gov making MY decisions is outrageous. When will society learn if it is so regulated. And for the record. Augustus tried doing that in Rome and it didn't work. And it won't work now. All it does is create rebels which is why I think smoking came back into vogue. Consideration and respect is never out of vogue and really takes care of a lot of wrongs. Smokers lately are very considerate of their smoke They are fully aware of their choices But we as a society should not be paying for that choice. But we are. Don't get me started on business regulations that aredriving small business broke. And the liberal press does not let us know just how crippling gov/BO is to this. It's really gotta stop
J
I agree that our rights are slowly being eroded away for "the good of the people." I'm not a smoker and I'm no smoking fan, but a bar is a private business. If those business owners want to allow smoking and they lose the business of non-smokers to bars that don't allow smoking, then maybe they will change their minds about allowing smoking. It's their bar and they should have a right to do what they want. Everything that people do ends up costing society money. Children cost society money, so should we ban people from having children because we don't want to pay for them? Smokers already pay higher insurance premiums as do motorcycle riders. Pretty soon the government is going to tell us what kinds of light bulbs to use and how much water we should have in our toilets--oh wait....
The erosion of our freedoms can be laid at the feet of corrupt corporations and the laws they've been allowed to write because someone owed them a favor. Ex: Insurance companies own more US debt than China. There's a figure that will make you shudder.
I think it's suspicious that they passed a law that required an estimated 2k pages to explain and our lawmakers voted for it, some, admittedly without reading it. I'm being cynical here, so I'm guessing no one read or clearly understood it. American citizens have become nothing more than figures on an actuarial table and I don't trust either side to correct the matter.
I soooooo agree with you! I'm pro choice; I believe in the woman's right to choose. While I myself would not exercise that right, I firmly believe R v W keeps that choice SAFE for women who choose that route. A lot people seem to forget that making something illegal only drives it underground, and this would leave unsanitary methods.
Smoking: I'd rather not be subjected to the smoke in public places, since it irritates my asthma more now I'm older.
More later; I'm being summoned.
To continue....I don't like reeking of smoke when I'm singing karaoke, and I can always tell when I've been immersed in the smoke because I end up drinking more water (yes, the majority of the time, I'm drinking good ol' H2O:) so my singing's better. But does that mean the person next to me has to quit smoking? No; just please don't blow it in my face, or move to another seat.
And as for the 'regulations' for the fast food industry: Last time I looked, I was intelligent to know if I wanted to eat a healthy meal, to either cook it myself or go to a buffet. When I eat at McD's, BK, or even LJS, I KNOW I'm getting a greasy burger/nuggets/fries and a calorie-laden sweet tea. That is my CHOICE. If I'm in the mood for a heart-healthy meal, I'll hit Subway or Arby's. Or Golden Corral, since I LOVE their salad bar. Don't take away my right to indulge in a greasy double bacon cheeseburger, fries, and awesome chocolate malt from Sonic!!!
(okay...just made myself hungry, lol!)
LOL Whoa, Julia, I really got you going. I've always said nothing ever really changes. You just proved it with your history knowledge of Rome.
LOL Carol, I love being told how much water to have in my toilet. It saves on my water bill. Snort!
Paris, I agree that neither side can fix it. Especially, if they don't work together.
Thanks, Molly. I agree women should have control over their bodies. Actually, I think they should be smart enough not to get pregnant unless they want a baby. But then things happen.
LOL You meant it when you said you would continue, Molly. That's my opinion on smoking and eating.
I think everyone who has expressed their opinions here are right, and I sympathize with all of you.
Second-hand smoke is harmful to others, so banning it in public places makes sense to me. Someone's choice to smoke ends up being harmful to me. Just like drinking and driving. On the other hand, banning smoking in bars seems stupid to me because as mentioned above, it's a private business, but then again, I don't drink and since I don't want to be around smoke, I don't go in bars. That whole personal choice thing.
The other comment about knowing when you go to McD's you're not getting healthy, I agree there. It comes down to personal choices and people need to be accountable for theirs.
Thanks, Stacey. That's what I'm getting at: Shouldn't we be allowed to make our choices. I have trouble with smoke. It bothers my lungs. At the same, I have friends who smoke, and I'm not going to quit friends because they smoke. My friends are sweet enough not to smoke around me, or try not to. Sometimes, I just follow wherever they go for a smoke because we're talking. It's my choice.
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