[4Liberty]

I agree.

We should price (charge for) risk - not “pool” it. That is how we preserve liberty.

“The price of liberty ...is personal responsibility.”

If you want to smoke, fine, but it will cost you more in terms of life insurance. Etc.

Quit whining; this is not “The Nanny state,” it is a free market solution.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Big Brother, Nanny State, Grant Junkie, Bogus Study, Junk Science, Social Engineering, Egalitarian, Central Planning, Sheeple Control, Health Nazi, Socialism, Collectivism

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We the People Sheeple of the United States Nanny State, in Order to form a more perfect Union Socialist Utopia, establish Justice Socially engineer a country of non smoking, physically fit, teetotalers, insure domestic Tranquility Smoking bans in bars, limits on unhealthy food and social drinking, provide for the common defense Universal Healthcare, promote the general Welfare health of the population whether they like it or not, in order to save above mentioned Universal Healthcare entitlement program from bankruptcy, and secure the Blessings of Liberty Dependency to ourselves progressive liberals and our Posterity Hitler Youth who we brainwash through public school education, do ordain decree and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Nanny State of Liberals

[Eric Blair 2084]

If you want to smoke, fine, but it will cost you more in terms of life insurance. Etc. Quit whining; this is not “The Nanny state,” it is a free market solution.

I agree. Let's make a deal.

Abolish Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. All insurance will be private (paid for with a standard Gubmint voucher). Companies can charge what they want in a free market based on anything. But in return ....

All coercive Gubmint measures....smoking bans, cigarette taxes, trans fat bans, menu labeling laws, fast food zoning laws are immediately repealed?

Deal?

[timm22]

Quit whining; this is not “The Nanny state,” it is a free market solution.

I think you are mostly right. By itself this doesn't represent the Nanny state.

But I VERY much doubt the people behind this change are looking at it as an isolated policy. This is just an early step in a conditioning process. It's about getting people used to the idea of state involvement in our health habits (or our lack thereof). Nanny-state types will point to programs like this one when they want to expand the government's reach into private health insurance or the private food purchases of consumers.

There is a common pattern to these kinds of movements. First, the government imposes the new standards on itself. Then the government imposes the standards on any entity accepting government funds. And then, once the ideals of the movement win either widespread toleration or apathy, those ideals are imposed on everyone. As examples, consider the civil rights movement, the anti-smoking movement, and the gay rights movement (which has not yet reached the final stages but definitely seems to be heading in the direction).

Sadly, there are individuals and groups out there just chomping at the bits to make us into healthier people...whether we want to be healthier or not. With this in mind, I would say the article does indeed warrant a "Nanny state" alert.