Its Not Your Father's Democratic Party....

Who wrote this?

Nearly 16 years ago in these very pages, I wrote that "'one-size-fits all' rules for business ignore the reality of the market place." Today I'm watching some broad rules evolve on individual decisions that are even worse.

Under the guise of protecting us from ourselves, the right and the left are becoming ever more aggressive in regulating behavior. Much paternalist scrutiny has recently centered on personal economics, including calls to regulate subprime mortgages.....

Health-care paternalism creates another problem that's rarely mentioned: Many people can't afford the gold-plated health plans that are the only options available in their states.

Buying health insurance on the Internet and across state lines, where less expensive plans may be available, is prohibited by many state insurance commissions. Despite being able to buy car or home insurance with a mouse click, some state governments require their approved plans for purchase or none at all. It's as if states dictated that you had to buy a Mercedes or no car at all.

Economic paternalism takes its newest form with the campaign against short-term small loans, commonly known as "payday lending.".....

The nature of freedom of choice is that some people will misuse their responsibility and hurt themselves in the process. We should do our best to educate them, but without diminishing choice for everyone else.

Wow. I was shocked to read this, not because what was said, but who said it.

So, who wrote this piece? Drum roll please......................

George McGovern

My respect for him just went up several notches. And I love the title to this piece...

Freedom Means Responsibility

This fellow would make a good Republican. He is an old Democrat, although painted by the Vietnam era brush of pacifism, seems to fully understand what being an American is all about. Today's Democrats, more like European amoral socialists, are perversely trying to transform my nation into a useless community where we spend our whole lives, comforted by the nanny state, gently sliding and preparing to die.

Freedom of choice and the freedom to make bad or not so good choices is a foundation issue of American life. Why should we have the freedom to make poor choices? Because what was a poor choice today may not be a poor choice tomorrow. Also, who is capable of deciding what is a poor choice and what is a good choice? And one choice for one person may be a poor choice while that same choice may be appropriate for another. It doesn't seem smart to reduce choice for people.