14 September 2010

The insanity of a "nanny state"

I long ago gave up trying to post all the WTF stories that pop up (especially from Britain) about government overprotecting its citizens - but fortunately Kev at Nothing to do with Arbroath continues to document them.  Here are just two of the ones from today's posting.

Pictured above is Isabelle McCullough and her father, Mark, who "has been reprimanded by council bosses for letting his seven-year-old daughter walk 20 metres alone to catch the bus to school."

On the left is Jose Williams, next to the stump of a crabapple tree.  "Council staff who came to hack down the six leafy crab apple trees outside Jose Williams' home in Keld Close, Newby, said they had been told to do so because the falling fruit was dangerous..."

8 comments:

  1. You get the government you vote and pay taxes for.

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  2. No, actually, JDJarvis, you get what the alleged "majority" decides.

    I don't see why we need to look to the UK for idiocy like this. HoAs here in the US have equally ridiculous examples of harassing micromanagment and parents are questioned or arrested if their someone decides to call in a false tip to CPS (or if a child brings a toy soldier to school, etc.)

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  3. Yep, you're right, its risk mitigation taken to ridiculous extremes by over zealous bureaucrats. But, you're not likely to be shot by some loony gun nut or a mistaken drive by. In the unlikely event you are, "what insurance do you have" isn't going to be the first question the hospital is going to ask you because everyone is covered by health insurance. And, while you're recovering you wouldn't have to worry too much about being made homeless because you'd be covered by social security. It ain't perfect but don't mock it unless you've got something much better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That may be. But then my aunt's mother (English, living in England) died because of the medical "care" over there. She had a disease that, caught early enough, is very treatable and survivable. But she had to go on the waiting list to get a doctor's appointment, thanks their health insurance system. By the time she was allowed to see a doctor, it was too late. Just because you have health insurance doesn't mean you have health care.
      Meanwhile, my attention-seeking neighbor here in the U.S. calls an ambulance for non-emergencies, and never even sees the bill, because she's on the government dole. (And - I know very well her physical and mental capabilities - she is perfectly capable of a simple part-time job, but won't even try to get one.)
      And, to top it off, my health insurance - and since I'm self-employed, it's 100% from my pocket - covers less now that my state has implemented parts of Obamacare.
      The government is obviously doing a wonderful job.

      Delete
  4. With the little girl and the bus stop, it's important to note that a) her journey to the bus stop included crossing the road (albeit not a very busy one) and that the person who made the report to the local authority was the school bus driver.
    It doesn't explain everything but you do wonder if he saw something that made him think the little girl was at greater risk than her parents realised - like running across the road without looking...?

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  5. my kids are asthmatic so we got them medi-alert bracelets,the school confiscated them citing 'health and safety'! ffs!

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    Replies
    1. I hope you did what all good Americans do: Sue!

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    2. I thought it was "I hope you did what all good Americans do: shoot !"
      You fellas have such a bad name, here in the rest of the world.

      Delete

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