The impulse to restrict, control, direct, judge, and punish, voluntary human behavior is inexorable in such a moral and intellectual vacuum as the one we’re currently marooned inside of. Look at this latest official act: Biden’s planned ban on menthol cigarettes.
The usual arguments are being made, about it being unhealthy and whatever. Well, many activities are far more dangerous than smoking a menthol. We give away far too much when we concede this power to the government, the power to dictate directly our personal lifestyle choices. We give away everything when we acquiesce to every new restriction on voluntary behavior. We concede the one principle that forms the bedrock of freedom.
The particular manifestation of this display of power doesn’t concern me. It’s the principle, the dignity of individual choice, being steamrolled that should concern us all.
