Keep in mind as a Libertarian, the smaller the government, the better.
The Province of Ontario recently announced that it is considering giving its Police the power to arbitrarily stop motorists in their never ending search for drunk drivers.
It makes eminent sense, given the carnage that drunk drivers have caused to themselves and more importantly, to their innocent pax and to other vehicle occupants.
It is hard to imagine but there was a time, in the not too distant past, when drunk driving was "cool". Police turned a blind eye or if the driver was especially blitzed, they would chauffeur him home.
Then they started to stop drivers who evidenced erractic driving and put them through a series of physical tests to help determine the issue of sobriety.
Then came .08 testing and the road blocks (the ride program). So for the first time - everyone was inconvenienced and could be pulled over for no apparent reason other than they might have been drinking to excess. Even though a relatively small per centage of drivers would fall into that category.
Then came .05 and the 24 hour suspensions. Now even those who enjoyed a glass of wine at dinner could lose their driving privelges and presumably their triple A insurance rating irrespective of the fact that they did not pose a danger on the road.
So back to my premise as a Libertarian - big governments get Bigger and BIGGER - if left unchecked.
So now we are to give the Police the power to stop on the highways anyone they wish, for no visible reason whatsoever. Again, despite the fact that the vast majority of drivers are responsible and do not drive while under the influence.
In a Free and Democratic State - which Canada in theory more and more only professes to be - one of the fundamental freedoms of its citizens is to be free from arbitrary search and seizure. With this new proposal, what comes to mind are the old pictures on television of Nazis police stopping innocent citizens on the street and demanding to see their identity papers.
The difference between our current situation and the Nazis approach is one of degree only. And, as time passes, that difference is getting more difficult to discern.
What is becoming ever more apparent is that the basic freedoms of the Majority are being sacrificed in governments' attempt to control the actions of a few.
Yes it is an excellent idea that police be given the power to stop whomever they wish, wherever they like in their ongoing efforts to reduce the deaths and injuries caused by drunk driving.
These ideas are always excellent - they make good sense and each one leads to an even better idea but down a very slippery slope.
For the sake of Democracy and its core freedoms, these ideas too often strike at the very heart of what we are all about.
As I see it..
"Galagher"
