George McGovern: "Freedom Means Responsibility"

Boy, you know politics has changed in America when you see me quoting a new article by George McGovern of all people. The man sounds like a modern libertarian!

Under the guise of protecting us from ourselves, the right and the left are becoming ever more aggressive in regulating behavior. Much paternalist scrutiny has recently centered on personal economics, including calls to regulate subprime mortgages.

He goes on to vilify a list of government intrusions into personal decision making, including payday lending regulations and health insurance requirements. Then he finishes up by hitting the ball out of the park:

Why do we think we are helping adult consumers by taking away their options? We don't take away cars because we don't like some people speeding. We allow state lotteries despite knowing some people are betting their grocery money. Everyone is exposed to economic risks of some kind. But we don't operate mindlessly in trying to smooth out every theoretical wrinkle in life.

The nature of freedom of choice is that some people will misuse their responsibility and hurt themselves in the process. We should do our best to educate them, but without diminishing choice for everyone else.