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It’s not “The Long Life-Expectancy State”

by | 6:04 am, August 21, 2010 | 5 Comments

One of the best from my friend Don Boudreaux:

(Let me know if you’re not on Don’s e-mail list but would like to be.)

————

It’s entertaining to imagine what Mencken, puffing on his ever-present cigar, would say to Mr. DeMarco.

Don
http://www.cafehayek.com/
………………………………….

19 August 2010

Editor, Baltimore Sun

Dear Editor:

Vincent DeMarco thinks that among the justifications for Maryland’s ’sin taxes’ on cigarettes and alcohol is the fact that they “save lives” (Letters, August 19).

Let’s grant that these taxes do, in fact, extend Marylanders’ life-expectancies. So what? The lives of individuals are the property neither of any government nor of officious “public interest” groups such as the one that Mr. DeMarco leads. The life of each individual Marylander belongs to that individual. If he or she chooses to endure a higher statistical chance of dying sooner rather than later in order to enjoy smoking, drinking, hang-gliding, or gulping down gasoline it is no business of the state or of the likes of Mr. DeMarco and other busybodies.

Don’t forget that Maryland’s ringing motto is “The Free State” – not “The Long Life-Expectancy State.”

Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Professor of Economics
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030

Link to Original post at Rossputin.com.

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Category: Colorado Politics, Health Reform, Politics, Syndicated
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Comments

  1.   robert southwell
      August 21st, 2010 @ 8:40 am

    Hmm . . .

    Setting public health policy by state motto seems a radical idea. How would that work as an alternative to Obamacare?

    Well, Missouri, contrary to their recent symbolic rejection of the Affordable Care Act, would guarantee universal health care with its “Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law” attitude, while our own Centennial State would rely on faith healers under our “Nothing without Providence” motto. Georgia would see you adopt a more Buddhist lifestyle: “Wisdom, justice, and moderation”.

    Interventionist extremes can also be identified by state mottoes. If, like Boudreaux, you want your life your way, try Rhode Island’s “Hope”, but if you think the health care system is meant to be used, then Connecticut is the place for you, “He who transplanted sustains.”

  2.   Rossputin
      August 21st, 2010 @ 9:36 am

    I have an idea, Tom…it’s really CRAZY:

    Let’s minimize government’s involvement in health care, health insurance, and every other area of our personal lives.

    Wacky, I know, especially since history keeps showing us that government makes things worse rather than better whether it’s health care, housing, or employment.

  3.   T.L. James
      August 21st, 2010 @ 9:55 am

    Ross, I think you replied lightning-fast to a comment I posted and deleted (replied to the wrong thread). I’m impressed with your speed.

    As for state mottoes and healthcare, Michigan is ready, with a motto that sums up the compassionate bureaucratic response to citizens needing specialized/advanced treatment under the draconian rationing and denial of care that Obamacare and its single-payer followup will inevitably bring: “If you seek a middle finger, here you go”.

  4.   Rossputin
      August 21st, 2010 @ 10:01 am

    Aaaaahhh, Michigan, the poster child for the results of government run by Democrats and businesses run by unions.

  5.   Kevin J Jones
      August 21st, 2010 @ 3:50 pm

    Fun factoid: smokers tend to die earlier and even with their ailments they avoid the most high-cost health problems of old age. So if you’re the heartless type of person who thinks in accounting terms, smoking is a net plus.

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