Quote Originally Posted by Pannonian View Post
Over here, the most powerful lobby group pushing for restrictions of individual liberties is mothers. Pretty much a single monolithic interest in key areas, politically impossible to deny, and very keen on ensuring that their kids will never face any kind of risk or discomfort whatsoever. Even if the government doesn't want to impose restrictions, once the mothers' lobby wants them, they'll get them.
Isn't that the rub. It's not so much paternalism as maternalism. That's why they call it the nanny state.