John Stossel recently shared his thoughts about New York City's ban on trans fats, asking, "What will they ban next?" As a health care provider, I whole-heartedly agree that trans fats are bad for people's health. On the other hand, I cannot agree with the idea that government has any place in deciding how we live our lives.

It seems to me that with every law passed, some level or amount of personal freedom is taken away from individuals. But perhaps a bigger concern from a personal growth and development point of view is the lack of willingness that people in our country have for assuming personal responsibility of their lives.

What's Going On With Us?

Every time people allow the government to parent them through the force of law (i.e., via coercion) is an indication that we don't want to be in control of our lives and destinies. Is foregoing the opportunity to be accountable for our personal decisions becoming the norm in this nation? Do we really have such little faith in ourselves to make good choices or to deal with the consequences of our own actions?

I wonder what happened in our society that sparked a shift in paradigms that went from a foundation based on individuality, personal responsibility, personal accountability, and minimal government interference to a nation full of those seeking to be coddled and protected in every aspect of life. I have an inclination of what happened, but I'll save it for a future post.

There's More To Life Than Just Living

What kind of life does a person live if they are not allowed, by the force of law, to experience success and failure, rewards and pain, or true freedom? How would a person ever learn how to handle adversity in their life if someone else (especially government when it acts as your parent) takes those opportunities away from us?

Personally, failure and pain make me appreciate success and health that much more. It's when I am allowed to overcome the negative on my own is when I know I've grown into a capable and confident adult and individual. When I am able to problem solve and I have the opportunity to make a personal choice, I feel proud of my abilities and am eager to tackle more of life's challenges.

A Word Of Caution

Take heed and beware. There are people that would rather let others determine their life's path; to lay down at the first sign of struggle; to prefer being parented than to parent; to have the life sucked out of life itself; to give up real freedom for perceived security; and to blame others for their misfortunes. We call them victims!

Taking personal responsibility out of the hands of individuals, whether it's about the foods we eat or the way we educate the youth, does not prepare us to handle the biggest of all challenges: life.

-RY