Bloomberg: The Purpose Of The Government Is To Protect The Health Of Its Citizens
“[I] government’s purpose isn’t to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don’t know what its purpose is,” says New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg reacting to criticism of his now-infamous nanny statist policies.
“We’re not here to tell anybody what to do. But we certainly have an obligation to tell them what’s the best science and best medicine says is in their interest,” says Bloomberg during the interview. “If you want to smoke, I think it’s pretty ridiculous, you shouldn’t. But I don’t think we should take away your right to smoke.”
If that last was what Bloomberg actually believed his policies wouldn’t be so controversial. But what he actually believes is the first part of the quote. He believes the government’s duty is to manipulate our lifestyles to meet some government definition of health (which often doesn’t have much in common with actual health).
In reality, the government’s duty is to promote a civilized society while leaving us as free as possible to make our own choices. Even if they aren’t the best choices for us individually.
Tags: michael bloomberg, nanny statism
