Laws: We Need Fewer of Them, Not More

In the wake of the news that our elected officials are considering giving domain over the internet to the federal government, I have to wonder when enough is enough. When as a people are we going to learn that legislating every detail in life isn't the answer to our problems?

It isn't enough that as "the greatest country on earth" that we imprison more people per capita than any other industrialized nation in the world. Even China mocks our stand on human rights when considering the number of people we have placed behind bars.

In the names of safety and security, we have allowed our governments, from the federal government right on down to our cities and villages, to make laws that restrict our personal freedoms more and more. Our police officers look like military personnel rather than peace officers whose job it is to serve and protect.

Police are now free to break down your door without warning--and if they did so and found no criminal activity--don't expect them to pay for damages any time in the near future. Don't expect they will be apologetic for the emotional trauma to you or family and friends who may be in your home.

Have we come so far from those inglorious Salem witch trials? We may not be burning people at the stake, but we arrest and prosecute people for what they do to themselves. You think that sounds ridiculous? Then why do we arrest people who take drugs?

Yes, to many people the idea of taking illegal drugs is heinous--but many of those same people freely drink alcoholic beverages and get behind the wheel of a car. Or maybe they just stay at home and drink while the kiddies go about their business. Think about it--how is that not the same thing as the person using drugs? Alcohol was once illegal to consume.

If you think that locking up drug users has stemmed the tide of drug trafficking at all, pick up the newspaper, check out your online resources. Illegal drug selling is big business. Locking up the small guy who is enjoying a joint of pot in his own home isn't preventing the murders between gang members and other drug traffickers.

Do you really need the government to tell you you HAVE to wear a seat belt? I wear mine all the time, but I did so before they ever made it a law. Now I resent that I must do so.

The Patriotic Act still stands today. Many Americans got behind it when the former presidential administration did all it could to allow an air of fear to pervade the citizenry. They used that fear against us to further their own agenda. Many personal freedoms flew out the window when that legislation was signed into law.

We still have states in our country that make certain sexual acts between consenting adults in their own homes to be illegal. In one state, adult toys cannot be purchased.

Are these the issues we want our government to handle? We have to stand up and let our officials know that we've had enough. The current proposed legislation, Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act would be a good place to begin.