Monday, January 05, 2009

Saving You From Yourself

Much of liberalism revolves around the idea that individuals are too stupid to know how to make decisions, so it is up to the noble State to ensure you don't make bad ones. This infantilization of adults leads to all sorts of bad outcomes, including ridiculous laws, the banning of desired products and infringement upon individual liberty.

Take this dumb post on legalizing sports betting in Delaware.

The state needs money, but if we pass sports betting to raise money it is a stone cold lock that four out of every 100 new gamblers created in this state will become addicts.

Are we really that morally bankrupt?

Studies show that sports betting is the type of legalized gambling most likely to hook young people.

Bottom Line: Whatever money the state brings in by being a party to this tax hike on the least among us will be going right back out in order to deal with the wrecked families and lives that are a direct byproduct of this “industry.”

Vowing to veto sports betting was Ruth Ann Minner’s finest moment in office.

Well, studies also show that liberals are angrier and make violent (and idiotic) threats against others for political reasons, but I don't think we should be restricting their ability to make asses out of themselves because of it. It's way too fun to laugh at them.

Ah, where to begin with the idea that we shouldn't legalize things because someone, somewhere, won't exercise self-control? Well, to start with, Delaware allows a variety of other betting options, including the lottery and slot machines. Why should those interested in betting on sporting events be denied that privilege?

Besides this, Delaware is a tiny state. If a person unfortunate enough to live there wanted to bet on a football game, it wouldn't take them a day's drive to find a state happy to take his or her money. The idea that, somehow, by banning sports betting, Delaware is preventing some shlub from betting the rent money is ridiculous. We're not talking about a big state like, say, Texas, after all.

I've never even bought a lottery ticket because I consider gambling to be a voluntary tax that I don't care to volunteer for. But if some idiot gets a thrill up his leg losing 50 bucks on a basketball game, I don't see why he shouldn't be allowed to do so.