Riding motorcycles without a helmet is one of our freedoms
I am from Illinois where we also have the freedom to ride motorcycles without wearing helmets. Yes, it is libertarian. We should have more lawmakers who are libertarian.
When we are forced to wear a helmet, wear a seat belt or buy Obamacare we all lose another freedom. Thomas Jefferson told us to be aware of the Supreme Court, for it will take your freedoms one by one. So will any other court or group of lawmakers.
I am on the road most of the time and spend little time in Illinois. The last time that I was home and the helmet law was being debated was several years ago.
It ended when a court ruled that the law was unconstitutional because it discriminated against one group of motorists.
During the debate, an article in the local paper urged that the helmet law apply to all motorists because most automobile deaths are caused by head trauma.
Instead of concerned citizens trying to force motorcycle riders to wear helmets, let them provoke a chain reaction of protest which will force all motorists to wear helmets. Why take a freedom from such a small group as motorcycle riders, when we can take it from all motorists?
The reason I do not support helmet or seat belt laws is because they take another freedom, and I believe the herd needs to be thinned.
The writer lives in Conway.
This story was originally published October 26, 2015 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Riding motorcycles without a helmet is one of our freedoms."