[tpaine]

Our laws are not based on whether the behavior "bothers" other people. We, as a society, decide on what behavior is acceptable -- whether it bothers others or not.
206 robertpaulsen


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


We live in a representative democracy. I vote for public officials who most closely represent my views on the illegality of drugs, among other things. You don't agree with the war on drugs? Find a candidate sharing your stance, vote for him or her, and quit whining about others imposing their morals on you.
211 Rembrandt_fan


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Communitarian socialists of FR, -- join hands!!
Unite in your democratic stance to stamp out immorality!!

[Rembrandt_fan]

Even your namesake, tpaine, radical and rebel that he was, would agree that a 'free society' does not imply a society free of moral considerations. Laws in a representative democracy are ultimately agreed-upon boundaries on behavior, after all. Behaviors that cause the disintegration of a given society should not be encouraged or affirmed by that society, since no polity can exist for long if the legal structure sustaining and preserving it are undermined or removed.

Your namesake was an advocate of common sense. Try exercising some.