Let’s keep freedom for people to decide

In the Valley Voice of May 20th, Sue Madsen expounds on the “click it or ticket” campaign.

While I certainly agree that “buckle up” is a good idea, I do take exception to the philosophy implied by the campaign and her article. She says:

“On most issues of private rights versus personal responsibility, I say let the individual make the choice and bear the consequences. On the issue of seat belts, the individual isn’t the only one who bears the consequences.”

But that’s true of most things. Very little that we do doesn’t impinge on another’s physical, mental or financial well-being.

Examples: If I enjoy skiing, motorcycling or sky diving, I increase your insurance rates. Every time I buy a product, I increase demand for that product, and you may find yourself paying more for it.

Gasoline comes to mind. Every time I cough, I may be spreading some virus or another that could sicken or kill you. If I raise beef cattle, the methane they produce apparently contributes greatly to the global warming effect, which may actually reduce the span of our existence on Earth.

In fact, just by existing, I, you, and everyone else consume nonrenewable resources that will thus be not available for future generations.

So what you implied in your quote above is that any action that affects others, which includes most actions, should be outlawed if it irritates/injures enough people. Or maybe just the wrong people.

Yes, I’m sure I cost you money. I’m also sure you cost me money.

Insurance was originally designed to share the costs of a common risk like fire or shipwreck. As the pool of things covered grew more diverse, the actions taken by each insured could more easily affect the costs to others. That’s the basic flaw in insurance.

The insurance companies try to minimize the effect this has on profits by pushing legislation outlawing the riskier forms of behavior and by raising rates.

So while I definitely suggest that everyone buckle up, wear their bicycle/motorcycle helmets, and wear a life preserver when out on the lake, I object to making it mandatory. Let’s allow natural selection to do its work.

And yes, that’s sometimes painful to others — it always has been.