This is becoming even more apparent, these days, up in NYC, as Mayor Bloomberg is telling restaurants how much salt they can use when preparing their meals. That is really bizarre to me, and it seems way beyond the scope of what any "elected" official should really get involved in.

Clearly, many of our elected officials went from responsible managers, to paternalistic; and, it needs to stop!

Some of these things, like cigarettes, are a grey-area for me… While I respect and appreciate all people's personal liberties, undoubtedly, second-hand cigarette smoke is a public health problem, and has been shown to effect healthy citizens as well. Now, the slippery-slope of government, was to tell private businesses, you must ban smoking. 

I am definitely more for incentivizing, and informing people, as opposed to mandating and controlling people. For example, food products, and menus, having labels that tell people the types of fats, calories etc. Then, if you decide to indulge, it could be to your own peril. Likewise, if restaurants allow cigarette smoking, place signs up that say, this is a smoking facility, smoking can be hazardous to you health. Therefore, you have been warned, and the business has no liability.

A big portion of the problem may lie in getting our health insurance system straightened out, once and for all. If everyone could have access to affordable health care, perhaps, local governments would feel less responsibility to manipulate people's way of living.

Certainly, there is something about The Progressive's mindset that seems to have this unwaivering desire to control society; but, with enough resistance, perhaps we can get some balance restored. If not, the freedom-loving people, hopefully, will continue rebelling against BIG Government! Get out your "Don’t Tread On Me flags!