Better Buy a Bigger Car Seat, Parents, or the State Will Get You
This new law raises my hackles. In Maryland, every child riding in a car 8 years old or younger (Unless they weigh more than 65 pounds and are taller than 4’9″) must ride in a car seat.
The overt reason the government here gives is the standard “It’s for the children” as if there is no boundary beyond the reach of our grabby nanny state that can not be breached in the name of protecting kids. The article notes that last years, 250 children died because they were not properly car-seated. That averages out to 5 children per state per year. I’m willing to be seen as callous here, but that seems an awfully tenuous reason to further establish that a child’s welfare is the responsibility of the state and not the parent. See, to our government, your child is not yours. You care for that child only at the sufferance of the state. Once in a while the state has to remind you of that.
Of course, the real reason for the law comes later in the article.
In addition to protecting more child passengers, the new law makes Maryland eligible for additional federal highway safety funds over the next two years.
Yep, folks. Money. Cold hard taxpayer cash to bribe the states into telling you as a parent or you who may ever ride with a child in your car exactly what must be done with that child. The additional nanny-statism is just a bonus.
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Category: The Rise of the Nanny State
That's crazy…you know why? Not just because of the nanny-state, can't stay out of your business aspect of it. This is going to create a logistical nightmare since you are not talking about toddlers any more. Now you are talking about little kids who are in school, little league sports, girl/boy scouts, etc. I guess that will really cut down on car-pooles…global warming be damned. Parents are only going to be able to drive however many kids they can get car seats for. What a pain!!