Authorities in Washington State recently investigated sickness of nine freshman of a state college who attended an off-campus party. It turns out that the cause of their sickness was the consumption of a significant amount of an alcoholic energy drink, which led to alcohol poisoning. Authorities are now considering a legal ban on such beverages.
In other parts of the country, voters and legislators are considering whether to legalize marijuana, citing comparisons with Prohibition in the last century. Meanwhile, some politicians are objecting to the new federal regulations on mortgage lenders to prevent the sort of financial problems of 2008 from happening again.
All these raise the question as to the appropriate level of government in regulating personal activities and businesses.
Although buyers should beware at all times, it seems reasonable that government should step in anytime a person or business exploits our freedoms to cause harm — whether intended or not — to others. After all, governments have a moral obligation to look out for the common good, especially in situations where the powerful are exploiting the weak.
Please remember that when you cast your votes in a few days.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
