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Page 4 · column 5 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
To the editor:
Once again our “fearless leaders” have decided that we, the public, are too stupid and ignorant to make decisions for ourselves, so our decisions are made for us in the form of laws complete with fines and penalties. I refer to the new law dictating seat belts to be mandatory.
Now, don’t get me wrong! I am a believer in seat belts. I believe they work. Statistically an individual is more likely to survive an auto crash with a seat belt on than without. However, I am a believer in personal freedom more. Even if seat belts were 100 percent effective - which they are not — individuals should still have freedom of choice (even to make the wrong choice).
Case in point: last year an auto accident, right here in Rappahannock County, threw a girl from the driver’s seat of her car. She emerged from the car unscathed but the front roof of her car was mashed down flat upon her seat, crushing steering wheel and all. It doesn’t take a genius to see that had she been strapped into that seat she would be dead!
Isolated incident? I know of two others similar. Not the usual to be sure but as our legislators like to take bows for the lives “they saved” enforcing seat belts so should they
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