MISSOURI: Keep government out of it

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.bnd.com/2010/11/21/1483572/letters-1121.html Keep government out of it

Common sense has gone by the wayside in lieu of someone wanting to dictate every move in your life.

On Nov. 16 you printed an article about the federal government wanting to make laws forcing motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The article states that more people die in motorcycle accidents than have a number years ago. I don't dispute that; many more people are riding now than did 10 or so years ago.

When there were about 1,000 cars on the roads, death tolls and injuries were low because there were fewer opportunities to be in a crash. Now with several million cars on the road, the death toll is in the tens of thousands annually.

The same is the case with motorcycles -- more bikes, more chance of a crash, more injuries and deaths. You can make numbers do anything you want just by selecting the data you want to use.

This letter is not to mean that I think helmets are unnecessary; just the contrary. I buckle up in the car and wear a helmet when riding my motorcycle and bicycle. My choice.

The laws on seatbelts, helmets and other safety issues are mostly a way of someone using their authority to control your actions (also called bullying). As these laws continue, invasion in your personal life will get worse.

Joseph E. Obernuefemann

Collinsville