What do you have if you have no choice?

Isn't it time to question authority? Prohibition, regulation and taxation of products, services, and behaviors are now considered normal in the 'land of the free.' A regulatory solution is offered for every perceived problem. Businesses, businesspeople, ways of doing business, products, the sale and purchase of products, their use, storage, and more are decreed in great detail by all manner of laws and regulations. Even toy guns have been banned by some who decide the 'common good' in the name of the 'public interest'. The most basic activities that we were once able to decide for ourselves - drinking, smoking, eating, and playing - are now prescribed for us by legislation.  

Our ability to choose has been confiscated by law. Choices are being made for us. What is freedom, if not choice? Are we human without it? Does it really matter if Democrats or Republicans are in power? Rules and the taxes expand with both. We keep selling our liberties - our very humanity - in exchange for sweet promises that seldom pan out. We are steadily turned into resources of the state so that we will do as directed by those who decree. 

How represented do you feel? What is the 'common good'? What is that 'public interest' they promise to uphold? Who is the public? What Social Security number is assigned the public? What tax bracket is it in?

Here is another question. If laws are really 'of, by and for the people,' why are so many people dissatisfied with so many laws? Why are so many disappointed with the results they must pay tax for? Why, for example, are there so many lousy government schools? Do we-the-people really want the expensive, under-performing schools we must send our children to? If not, why do they exist? For which 'public' do they exist? Whose 'common good' must you serve?

Isn't it time to reclaim the right to choose?