rothnh, with all due respect to you (and I mean that), I couldn't disagree more (besides I enjoy a lively debate - so don't take what I say personally).Sorry Mom, that'll be $500. Hey fella, putting that butt out on the sidewalk, OK, $500. - but enough is enough -- we won't get those idiots' to learn unless we have a way to get their attention.
True. Back in the day, these commercials (I believe) were considered a public service announcement and so the airtime cost was drastically reduced.Then there is the argument that fines could pay for the education, but then there is the government agency that it needed to collect and distribute the fines and monitor that they are being spent correctly, and it goes on and on.
Agreed. But true Libertarians believe that they should be allowed to live freely as long as their actions do not harm anyone or infringe on others rights. When you throw your cigs and butts on the ground for others to dispose of or blow smoke rings in someone's face while they are eating lunch (I had this happen to me once) it is just plain selfish/childish behavior and not the act of a true Libertarian.For a long time now, I've advocated strict littering laws with high fines for dropping trash everywhere.
Sorry Mom, that'll be $500. Hey fella, putting that butt out on the sidewalk, OK, $500.
I know there's a high love for Libertarianism on this Forum, but enough is enough -- we won't get those idiots' to learn unless we have a way to get their attention.
Sure, I realize that. And I am not saying that littering should be legal per se, but exorbitant fines and jail terms are not the answer for minor infractions, like tossing a butt.@Numbersix: Littering has always been illegal (at least in my life time) and carries a pretty hefty fine when enforced.
I fully agree. You obviously misread and/or misunderstood my comments.Brian-I think you are confusing "Libertarian" and "Liberal." A Libertarian, like myself, wants everyone to be completely left alone by government action of any scale unless their behavior negatively affects others to such a degree that it limits that person's freedom of action. In other words, government exists only to limit coercion and violates its own purpose when it coerces others without just cause.
Banning smoking is disdained by any true Libertarian, as is banning guns, banning alcohol, heavy taxation, etc.