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The nanny state is ubiquitous and obnoxious

Reader comment on item: More on the Burkini Ban

Submitted by Dave (United States), May 22, 2022 at 15:26

It seems to be a universal vice by all governments to mistrust the judgement of the people. The temptation is always there to save people from themselves by an electorate or bureaucracy composed of moral busybodies. It's manifested in various ways all across the political spectrum.
On the Right we have the push to ban abortions or other forms of birth control, because women can't be trusted to make competent decisions given complete reproductive freedom. They could turn into wanton harlots, madly procreating, use abortion as means of birth control, break up families and kill the unborn. We can't have that.
On the Left, we have an even vaster array of regulation to guard against potentially bad behavior. Corporations can't be trusted to treat their workers respectfully, or the environment responsibly, hence the constant push for ever more extensive, and often stifling, business regulations. The economy slows. During the pandemic, liberals led the charge for lockdowns, masking and mandatory vaccinations, because people couldn't be trusted to take the responsible health precautions. The economy suffered greatly from the lockdowns. In Europe and Canada, which lack a First Amendment, hate speech is illegal because their citizens can't be trusted to discuss issues responsibly. Anarchy could result.
The Burkini issue is just another example of busybody government. Muslim women cannot be trusted to make rational decisions on their swimwear. They could unknowingly submit themselves to symbolically oppressive clothing, or perhaps become hyperthermic in warm water from being overdressed and drown. There are many hazards, although committing a violent crime while bathing in a Burkini is unlikely.
Let's recall that the Pilgrims came over on the Mayflower to escape an oppressive, nanny government, held firmly in the grip of an overweening Anglican church. Freedom is in the American DNA, so we should err on the side of trust.
I'm no fan of Islamism, but there are wiser and less obnoxious ways to oppose it than to deprive women of their freedom to dress as they choose while swimming.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (17) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
The nanny state is ubiquitous and obnoxious [334 words]DaveMay 22, 2022 15:26281632
the burkini is a symptom of a greater illness [99 words]Charles MartelOct 5, 2016 14:06233174
2The NYT v Manuel Valle [92 words]dhimmi no moreSep 7, 2016 17:41232411
Burkini [1819 words]Iftikhar AhmadSep 7, 2016 12:44232399
1grudging acceptane - if they're lucky [293 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif id'UllahSep 12, 2016 05:30232399
This is all sopping wet. [173 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
LynnAug 31, 2016 21:03232067
The Spirit Of Europe Is Conformism [143 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
DaveAug 31, 2016 18:02232063
Religious intolerance ? [33 words]marlanSep 2, 2016 04:53232063
America Has Limits To Tolerance [15 words]DaveSep 4, 2016 11:19232063
Burkini Brouhaha [72 words]Kepha HorAug 31, 2016 09:38232049
2My response to the Burkini! [347 words]Debra WeinerAug 28, 2016 07:40231874
3Can women wear bikini in muslim countries? Why should muslims be allow to promote their religion in secular coutries? [125 words]secularity means freedomSep 2, 2016 12:58231874
My response to Dr. Pipes [567 words]marlanAug 27, 2016 11:09231826
Respect [71 words]JoAug 27, 2016 08:03231816
Ban the Burkini [232 words]JoAug 27, 2016 07:56231815
It is not a MUST in Islam [66 words]LunaAug 28, 2016 04:14231815
One day the same court might ban topless bathing [109 words]AnonAug 26, 2016 16:33231802

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