PrintJanuary 30, 2011
The Nanny-Staters at Life's Dangerous Intersections
Increasingly, our government reminds me of a certain old Star Trek episode. It was titled "I, Mudd," and in it, the Enterprise explorers find themselves in the grip of seemingly perfect androids determined to serve man. The automatons informed the crew that humans are "self-destructive," need the androids' "help," and can't be trusted with freedom. One of the mechanical masters concludes by telling Captain Kirk, "we shall serve them [humans], and you will be happy...and controlled."I don't know if the episode was meant as big-government allegory, but it could serve as such. And there's no shortage of nanny-state intrusion stories to bring it to mind. For example, consider a proposal by a state senator from New York City to prohibit citizens from using gadgets such iPods, cell phones, and music players while walking. You read that right -- not while driving or operating buses or trains.Walking.The senator is...(Read Full Article)
