Leave Us Adults Alone
Sometimes I get really upset at the loss of personal freedoms for adults in America. It seems like some bonehead, do-gooder politician is always introducing restrictive legislation “for my own good”. Back off, Jack!
Here in New Jersey, using cell phones in your vehicle will be illegal beginning March 1st. Actually it already is illegal, but a cop can’t pull you over for that violation. They have to stop you for another reason, then they can ticket you for cell phone use. March 1st marks the day when they can now pull you over for talking on the phone. It’s a primary offense.
That said, I guess they better outlaw radios, CD players, smoking, eating, and kids in cars. Heck, they are all distractions to a driver. And how about the person driving down the road with a poodle standing in their lap, head hanging out the driver’s window? Or the woman rushing to work putting on her make-up? Maybe the government should restrict vehicles to one person only - the driver - in a one-seat domed bubble. Everything else is too dangerous for the driver to handle.
By the way, how come it’s not too dangerous to have to fish around in your pockets or a woman to rummage through her handbag to get coins for the tollbooth up ahead. Don’t you have to concentrate to tell the difference between a quarter and a nickel? Oh yea, that’s government revenue. It’s okay.
How about convertibles? Shouldn’t they be outlawed. After all, if you roll over in a crash, it’s all over unless your car is equipped with a rollbar. Quick, let’s legislate!
Trailers are a potential hazard, too. Of course, so are asteroids crashing into our planet. But if a trailer hauling a boat or lawn mower or whatever blows a tire, it’ll get ugly. Let’s require double axle trailers only. You never can be too safe, right senator?
Now for seatbelts. I don’t need the government deciding what’s good for my personal safety. I’ll decide. I’m an adult, so if I’m willing to gamble going through the windshield in an accident, so be it. You’re not my mother!
Helmets on motorcycles is another freedom lost, except for in a handful of states. I’m not a motorcycle rider, but I feel strongly that since they’re over 21 years old, they should decide their own fate. They know the consequences in an accident.
I believe it was Alice Cooper that had a song that went, “Leave us kids alone”. I say, “Leave us adults alone.”
- Mountain Man