The Nanny State: Media catch phrase or reality ?

Is the Govenment really looking after us with constant advice on diet, sugar intake, salt intake, drinking, smoking, driving, behavior etc; are they just sticking their noses into our lives a little too much?

I would say they are sticking their noses in where its not needed and staying out or ignoring where they are needed.

A case in point, the smoking ban makes no sense in not being able to smoke almost anywhere but still being able to buy them, its like saying smoking is really bad but carry on buying them because it gives us a lot of money.

The only thing the Gov't cares about is money. Thats why meat, alcohol, cigarettes etc... are already taxed through the roof even as we are exhorted to give it up and live on potatos, turnips and a little fruit for a treat. If we could all be persuaded to live like that the cost of maintaining the workforce would be massively reduced. Its the same story with vehicles, petrol etc... the bulk of the purchase price is tax, with Gov't adverts exhorting us to walk to work etc... even as they're chauffeured around in top of the range, air conditioned, bullet proof Mercedes, Daimlers and Rolls-Royces.

We should do everything the goverment tells us to do.
No questions asked.

I miss smoking in pubs. It was part of the atmosphere and ambience. Oh sure it made you clothes stink but you only had to chuck them in the wash. And just how much real proof is there that occasionally experiencing passive smoking in smokey surroundings is harmful?
I don't even smoke, never have and it's never bothered me when others do.
Speed cameras, bus lane cameras make me feel like any small mistake and BAM!! GOTCHA! You're nicked.
It's NOT making me a better driver.
It puts me on edge

[Deleted by Amazon on 8 Mar 2013 09:06:04 GMT]

[Deleted by Amazon on 8 Mar 2013 09:06:05 GMT]

The rules say I shouldn't speed at 40mph in a 30mph zone but if I have to accelerate in order to avoid getting involved in an accident and I get "flashed" there is no guarantee the camera will record the whole incident or reason for my speeding.
I know 'cos it happened.
Constantly watching your speed, watching out for cameras, speed traps, police cars just adds to the tension of driving which can be tense at the best of times.
I don't care who you are, no-one can drive 100% perfectly all the time. But the law expects us to.

its the carcinogens in the second hand smoke thats still there that is harmful to human biology thats been confirmed but if you want to chance it someone could make the simile of having intercourse with strangers with no protection, you might get something you might not.

speed cameras are only there to generate revenue but as much as i hate them if we all did stay within the speed limits then they can't make any money. but that brings me to the question that why are cars made for the british road allowed to go over 80MPH, surely if one isn't allowed it should be made law to be limited in the first place.

Motoring laws in the West are another example of the unjust taxation system I previously mentioned Mr O'Brien. In many instances drivers are so concerned about the cameras they actually cause accidents by neglecting basic driving skills, but the State still gets it's speeding fines so nobody cares. Motoring law in the Middle East can be very different. Although vehicle condition/speed laws etc... are very lax indeed, the basic principle of not harming others is strictly adhered to. Thus you can roar up a crowded street in an unroadworthy vehicle if you wish BUT if you injure or kill someone whils't doing so, woe betide you. The victim or the bereaved relatives can claim 'the blood price', meaning the driver must suffer by law the same physical injury he inflicted. IE: if you ran over a child and smashed both her legs, her father/mother can demand that both your legs be smashed in recompense.

I saw two public executions whils't working in Saudi Arabia and was massively impressed with the effects. Although my white skin/fair hair labeled me a deeply unpopular 'unbeliever' I was never in fear of attack: 'Strike off the hand that strikes the first blow.' After a while we all stopped bothering to lock the vehicle cabs, hotel rooms etc... even left our shopping in the back of the pick-up while we ambled about the town centre; nothing was ever stolen because under Sharia Law only the criminal walks in fear.

Where's Jeremy Clarkson when you need him?

Gary....has the Fount not explained the problem with an either/or question...?....the question, being poorly constructed in relation to the reality of an analogue world creates poor thinking.

O.k. let's look at smoking.
Literature showing the dangers of smoking to your health, warnings and nasty pictures on packets, all valuable information.
Banning sponsorship, ads, making supermarkets and soon all shops hide cigarettes from public view, nannying

Maybe: it'd probably make more sense to ban it altogether.

then watch your income tax go up