by Laura Condon
New Hampshire is leading the nation in protecting individual liberty and it is mind-boggling why anyone would choose to give it up so easily. Do they forget that our forefathers fought, bled and died to give us individual liberty? Do they forget that there was a civil war in this country largely fought over the issue of slavery, so that the black man would no longer have someone controlling his individual actions? Would we so carelessly and mindlessly give up individual rights that were obtained with the sacrifice of many, many individual lives on the battlefield?
Have you noticed that most of those opposing a seat belt law actually advocate the use of seat belts? Why would people oppose a seat belt law if they wear one all the time and think they are a great idea? They would oppose it because they are keenly aware that such a mandate takes away individual rights.
This issue of individual safety is indisputable. It makes sense to wear a seat belt. And New Hampshire obviously has the smartest residents because it is leading the nation in increased seat belt usage, an increase based on public education of the benefits, not on a mandate. I say let’s step up the efforts of public education of the benefits of seat belt use…a nice little brochure with each auto registration or drivers license could be a great idea (and go ahead and charge an extra buck to pay for the brochure). Let us continue to show the rest of the nation that we know how to make smart decisions without big brother thinking for us.
Let us not sacrifice our freedoms one little step at a time because we were not smart enough to see it happening. Let us continue to lead the nation in thinking clearly and freely.