That\’s it, personal responsibility is dead. It must be if our elected officials are seriously considering a fire safe cigarette. What\’s next, fire safe lighter fluid, cut free knives, non-explosive dynamite, drunk free alcohol? Maryland\’s legislative body has gone NUTS! They just can\’t be serious?!?
I don\’t think that Maryland\’s legislative body has gone nuts. They are simply following in the footsteps of other states that have already enforced this. As stated in the article this has reduced fires. It is sad that the state would need to do this, but there has been way too many house and field fires caused by irresponsible smokers.
What about the device used to light the cigarette? What\’s being done about matches? Why not require matches to be “fire safe”. If that sound\’s crazy it\’s because it is! Just because someone purports to act on your behalf in the name of safety doesn\’t mean they\’re sane. All it takes is personal responsibility. We don\’t need another law. Really, think about it.
Scott, I couldn\’t agree more! Although you forgot driver-safe vehicles, bullet-safe guns, and every other possible consumer product that has to be idiot-proofed via warning labels.
Gee, you mean coffee is served hot? Contraceptive jelly isn\’t meant to be eaten on toast?
With freedom of choice comes responsibility for consequences. When did we manage to lawsuit our way into more and more intrusive laws and regulations in the name of protecting ourselves from ourselves?
The problem is that people do not take personal responsibility. That\’s why the state acted. Just like factories used to have a high rate of worker deaths and then OSHA was created. Many businesses hate OSHA, but they are the same ones who would otherwise be irresponsible.
Must we continue to react to specific instances of a lack of personal responsibility by legislating more and more rules/regs/laws? Do we always have to pursue the manufacturer, supplier, insurer, distributor, etc.?
Why not step back and pass broad reform to disallow lawsuits by the criminally stupid consumer? If the loss can be attributed to your own informed choice or carelessness, rather than an actual defect or hazard that is unknown to a reasonable person, then deal with it yourself.
Reminds me of the people you see whose home has flooded 4 times in the past 10 years. \”Well, we just hoped and prayed it wouldn\’t happen again\”. Hey, you live in a flood plain! You don\’t want to deal with it again, then move!
TXGuru,
Here is the problem with what you are saying:
When a smoker throws a cigarette out the window of a moving car and ignites a field and then a forest, there is no punishment for the actions. When someone leaves a cigarette burning in their apartment and 35 apartment units burn down, killing several people, what do we tell the families? The reason we create laws is because some businesses and some smokers are irresponsible.
I’m sorry Rich, but your logic is flawed. Imagine the same motorist throws a glass bottle out the window and the summer sun is focused through the broken glass causing a fire. What do you do then, enact another law? Your good intentions are a waste of taxpayer’s money. There are really problems out there that our elected officials need to be focused on and not ignore because of political consequences. This so called “issue” is not an issue at all. It’s a bill every politician can vote for and claim, “I’m looking out for you”. Very few voters will actually see through this for what it is and I’m afraid the wool is still firmly pulled over your eyes as well.
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That\’s it, personal responsibility is dead. It must be if our elected officials are seriously considering a fire safe cigarette. What\’s next, fire safe lighter fluid, cut free knives, non-explosive dynamite, drunk free alcohol? Maryland\’s legislative body has gone NUTS! They just can\’t be serious?!?
I don\’t think that Maryland\’s legislative body has gone nuts. They are simply following in the footsteps of other states that have already enforced this. As stated in the article this has reduced fires. It is sad that the state would need to do this, but there has been way too many house and field fires caused by irresponsible smokers.
What about the device used to light the cigarette? What\’s being done about matches? Why not require matches to be “fire safe”. If that sound\’s crazy it\’s because it is! Just because someone purports to act on your behalf in the name of safety doesn\’t mean they\’re sane. All it takes is personal responsibility. We don\’t need another law. Really, think about it.
Scott, I couldn\’t agree more! Although you forgot driver-safe vehicles, bullet-safe guns, and every other possible consumer product that has to be idiot-proofed via warning labels.
Gee, you mean coffee is served hot? Contraceptive jelly isn\’t meant to be eaten on toast?
With freedom of choice comes responsibility for consequences. When did we manage to lawsuit our way into more and more intrusive laws and regulations in the name of protecting ourselves from ourselves?
The problem is that people do not take personal responsibility. That\’s why the state acted. Just like factories used to have a high rate of worker deaths and then OSHA was created. Many businesses hate OSHA, but they are the same ones who would otherwise be irresponsible.
Exactly my point. When does it end?
Must we continue to react to specific instances of a lack of personal responsibility by legislating more and more rules/regs/laws? Do we always have to pursue the manufacturer, supplier, insurer, distributor, etc.?
Why not step back and pass broad reform to disallow lawsuits by the criminally stupid consumer? If the loss can be attributed to your own informed choice or carelessness, rather than an actual defect or hazard that is unknown to a reasonable person, then deal with it yourself.
Reminds me of the people you see whose home has flooded 4 times in the past 10 years. \”Well, we just hoped and prayed it wouldn\’t happen again\”. Hey, you live in a flood plain! You don\’t want to deal with it again, then move!
TXGuru,
Here is the problem with what you are saying:
When a smoker throws a cigarette out the window of a moving car and ignites a field and then a forest, there is no punishment for the actions. When someone leaves a cigarette burning in their apartment and 35 apartment units burn down, killing several people, what do we tell the families? The reason we create laws is because some businesses and some smokers are irresponsible.
I’m sorry Rich, but your logic is flawed. Imagine the same motorist throws a glass bottle out the window and the summer sun is focused through the broken glass causing a fire. What do you do then, enact another law? Your good intentions are a waste of taxpayer’s money. There are really problems out there that our elected officials need to be focused on and not ignore because of political consequences. This so called “issue” is not an issue at all. It’s a bill every politician can vote for and claim, “I’m looking out for you”. Very few voters will actually see through this for what it is and I’m afraid the wool is still firmly pulled over your eyes as well.