Here’s what I’m sending out to the Legislators this AM

Posted by PP at the SDWC

March 26, 2007

This is basically the note that I’m sending out to many of the Legislators this AM on HB 1189:

As the parent of six, soon to be seven children, I can assure you that this bill is a burden for your constituents with larger families, as well as an unreasonable intrusion of government into a decision best left to individuals.

It is not based in sound logic, because if it were, all persons regardless of age who didn’t meet certain height and weight criteria would be forced to use booster seats, whether they were 7, 10, or 30 years old. In this instance one needs to ask oneself - at what point does government’s role in our lives become overreaching? At what point are we no longer allowed to exercise our own judgement or free will?

It’s easy to ban something because someone says “it’s dangerous” or “it’s bad for us.” But absent a public outcry, should a legislator’s personal objections give a legislative body the right to impose a law upon the rest of us? I think not.

I’ve always believed our manner of government is rooted in the freedom of the individual. As we chip away at those freedoms because someone, somewhere, thinks something is bad for us, we get away from government creating freedom and opportunity, and we enter into a realm where government serves as an agent of social engineering.

Let me assure you, social engineering is not what the residents of South Dakota are looking for. We’re looking for freedom, and leaders who will protect it.

I would urge you to vote to uphold Governor Rounds’ veto on HB 1189.

I’d urge you to also get on the horn and let them know they need to vote to uphold the veto.

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