Nanny Nations

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

Its all abut finding a balance between protecting the rights of the individual and doing what is in the best interests of the country as a whole. I think Britain has an acceptable balance.
And if everyone was givin complete individual freedom there would be chaos. Nothing would ever get done and the world would quickly fall to pieces.
And lets face it, most of the time the government knows whats best for you and the country as a whole better than you do.

Let me start off by saying that i am American so in light of the current fad of reform in my country i was thinking about the original concept of Individualism. In my opinion i think that an increased government would lead to a more secure place but undermine the peoples freedom, essentially turning the government into a big nanny for the people. What does the enlightened community of The Escapist think? especially those from countries around the world in which the government is taking more responsibility over the people.

The nanny state is very dangerous to freedom. The various types of nanny staters are attacking freedom with agendas of: punishingly heavy taxes, the war on drugs, gun control, "hate speech laws(anything offensive to certain groups)", the war on obesity, trying to ban violent video games, government controlled health care...

All of them are well intentioned, but are not good ideas. I don't know if the nanny staters realize the end result will not be a utopia. It will be a population that marched willingly into enslavement thinking it's for their own good. Many people will throw their freedom away if some do-gooders tell them "It's for the greater good of society" Freedom isn't the easiest thing. It means you have to take responsibility for your life. Some people would rather not grow up and foolishly let the government be their parent and make their choices for them.

It appears to me that you two both want what is in your best interests instead of those of your countries and the other people who inhabit them.

 

[jpoon]

The nanny state is very dangerous to freedom. The various types of nanny staters are attacking freedom with agendas of: punishingly heavy taxes, the war on drugs, gun control, "hate speech laws(anything offensive to certain groups)", the war on obesity, trying to ban violent video games, government controlled health care...

All of them are well intentioned, but are not good ideas. I don't know if the nanny staters realize the end result will not be a utopia. It will be a population that marched willingly into enslavement thinking it's for their own good. Many people will throw their freedom away if some do-gooders tell them "It's for the greater good of society" Freedom isn't the easiest thing. It means you have to take responsibility for your life. Some people would rather not grow up and foolishly let the government be their parent and make their choices for them.

Exactly! I do not know if it is just me but there is something unnatural and evil about that. It turns the people into something less than a human being, where people have no initiative and their actions are based off of what little the government says they can do as opposed to doing something of their own volition. The government is made of people just like you and me, do you think that they have any better idea what is good for you than you do? Just because they were elected does not ensure that they are making the best decisions, especially if those decisions restrict your freedom to be an individual and do anything you want (barring a violation of someone's basic natural rights).

I agree, less government = more liberty. This march towards an all encompassing nanny state in the Corporate States of America quite pisses me off. Unfortunately it seems we can't have a government protect the peoples right without protecting the corporations rights as corporations are considered the same as people in the gov's eyes. This needs to change!

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

If you count Britain taking Health and Safety and Political Correctness to an extreme level as nannying, then I must say I really don't like it. People know when the lake might be dangerous to go near - we don't need barbed-wire fences and a sign warning us there's a lake nearby.

And c'mon, they nearly changed Spotted Dick's name!

 

[The Magical Hobo]

Fuck government control of personal freedoms. That is all.

Right, because beliefs like that totally didn't cause the current recession

Ok then, how did the recession come about?

'twas sarcasm my friend

 

[ReincarnatedFTP]

Just to make sure you're consistent.
You do support the legalization of drugs right?
I mean some asshole nanny state shouldn't be telling me what to do with my body.
And I say that in all seriousness.

I think healthcare reform would be good if it was nationalized or we got a public option that didn't just funnel money to insurance companies.

If we're worried about nanny states maybe you should get rid of free speech zones and the need of a public permit to protest.

Britain's government does seem overbearing though.

 

[ReincarnatedFTP]

Well, I don't want authoritarian systems, but we need a state that can influence and judge corporations.
Let's just say that I find the current situation in the USA lacking in regulation.
Also, the whole system you got over there is a bit wacky with politicians suckling on the monetary teat of major companies.
But what do I know? I'm a European socialist/communist/Nazi/fascist/liberal.

No, you're right.

And at least you weren't born in Kenya and a secret muslin

 

[ben---neb]

Governments always feel the need to be in control and to increase power. It's a basic human instinct to do so and is therefore replciated by governments.

I think the Nanny State is terrrible. Treat people like they're stupid and irresponsible and pretty soon they start acting as such.

 

[SmartIdiot]

You don't have any real freedom.

Maybe YOU don't, in which case I suggest you grow some balls. Freedom is only inaccessible to those who choose to give it up. There are so many stupid laws over here in Britain, yet I don't accept it. Truth be told, I don't even do my job according to the book, because it is stupid. Live by your own rules. If you think a law is stupid, don't abide by it. Simple.

 

[fulano]

Let me start off by saying that i am American so in light of the current fad of reform in my country i was thinking about the original concept of Individualism. In my opinion i think that an increased government would lead to a more secure place but undermine the peoples freedom, essentially turning the government into a big nanny for the people. What does the enlightened community of The Escapist think? especially those from countries around the world in which the government is taking more responsibility over the people.

Isn't coming here and asking other entities for their oppinions an attempt against your own individualism?

What do you think individualism means, anyway?

Not in my mind. im just soliciting opinions. If i agree with those opinions or not is how i maintain my individualism. and to me that means that people have the right to do whatever they want within reason without government restraints. especially in economy. as long as it doesnt violate basic natural rights.

The thing is that you have recur to somebody else for something that you don't have and that it's impossible for you to get. You could go on without it, and yet you want it.

Opinion solicitation for validation, or gauging how one's ideas hold to scrutiny, or even curiosity, is hardly standing for your individualism.

Also, you got individualism wrong if you even have to get government, an outside entity, into it to define it.

Just think about it.

 

[benylor]

You don't have any real freedom.

Maybe YOU don't, in which case I suggest you grow some balls. Freedom is only inaccessible to those who choose to give it up. There are so many stupid laws over here in Britain, yet I don't accept it. Truth be told, I don't even do my job according to the book, because it is stupid. Live by your own rules. If you think a law is stupid, don't abide by it. Simple.

Your little rebel act is pathetic.

You clearly have no idea what "Freedom" is. "Live by my own rules"? Okay. So I'll kill you and by my rules it's okay, but guess what? The judge won't give a shit.

If nobody knows, the judge can eat a burger for all I care.

While Smartidiot's point is on the extreme end, if your actions do not limit another individual's freedoms (of life, liberty, safety, etc) then there's nothing wrong with ignoring the authority and doing it anyway. We're rational human beings.

 

[BonsaiK]

Let me start off by saying that i am American so in light of the current fad of reform in my country i was thinking about the original concept of Individualism. In my opinion i think that an increased government would lead to a more secure place but undermine the peoples freedom, essentially turning the government into a big nanny for the people. What does the enlightened community of The Escapist think? especially those from countries around the world in which the government is taking more responsibility over the people.

You have no real freedom. Never had it under Bush, don't have it now under Obama, won't have it in the future.

I live in Australia and we have even less freedom than you Americans. Stop worrying about freedom, in the western world freedom has come and gone. Worry instead about how effectively the government is nannying you. That is what they are there for, that is why you pay taxes. The reforms happening in your country are good. Be happy that they are stepping up the nannying a bit, you guys are paying through the nose for it so you deserve the very best nannying you can get.

 

[SmartIdiot]

You don't have any real freedom.

Maybe YOU don't, in which case I suggest you grow some balls. Freedom is only inaccessible to those who choose to give it up. There are so many stupid laws over here in Britain, yet I don't accept it. Truth be told, I don't even do my job according to the book, because it is stupid. Live by your own rules. If you think a law is stupid, don't abide by it. Simple.

Your little rebel act is pathetic.
You clearly have no idea what "Freedom" is. "Live by my own rules"? Okay. So I'll kill you and by my rules it's okay, but guess what? The judge won't give a shit.

Yeah, fair play. You can try and kill me if you want but you wouldn't get far. I clearly have no idea what freedom is. Oh yes I do and I love it. You clearly have no idea that you're an arrogant little prick. As for 'little rebel act' no it's really an honest thing. I understand some laws are in place for a reason, yet if it's stupid I won't live by it. Evasion is so easy. Never get caught. Simple. As for 'the judge won't give a shit', well you're allowing yourself to be defeated by a set of rules defined by someone you don't even know and you're calling me pathetic? At least I've got the guts to live my own life. Maybe you should try it some time and if you're so cynical now to be accepting what is thrown at you because it's law instead of doing what YOU want to do YOUR way then I feel sorry for you. Just remember it's never too late to change.