Too often the biggest difference between the Mob and the government is that the Mob doesn't have badges and doesn't pretend to be looking after anyone other than themselves. The Iowa nannystaters just increased the cigarette tax from 36 cents to $1.36. For our own good of course. All other tobacco taxes went up too. Just what we need, politicians and bureaucrats controlling our personal choices. When and where (if) does it stop? Once the premise is accepted that they know better then we do I wonder what the limit may be.
C. S. Lewis said it best:
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
