Michael D. Brown

This is why Americans are cynical when it comes to government decisions and regulations. Actor Alec Baldwin gets kicked off an American Airlines flight for refusing to turn off his iPad while playing Words with Friends after the plane door is closed. A week later the FAA approves the use of iPads by pilots on [...]

Today the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it would seek a nationwide ban on driving and texting. While we can expect – and should expect – the usual response to this nanny state intrusion into our lives, another point is worth considering. Why does everyone think we can live in a risk-free society? Every [...]

The Nanny State strikes again, and I am amazed at the divergence of opinion on the matter. A well-established rule of juvenile and family law is the presumption that a child is better off with its natural parents than with a foster family. The courts will always look for ways to make sure that the [...]

No, not that kind of choice, but let’s discuss liberal arguments for choice. Primarily proponents of abortion will argue that the government has no business respecting decisions women make regarding their bodies. Some argue that gay couples should be permitted to marry, that the government should not interfere with the relationship between individuals. Supporters of [...]

Halloween is next week and I’ve already started to worry about how I can make certain that it is a safe Halloween for everyone. Already dentists are emulating failed municipal policies of buying back guns by agreeing to buy back candy from kids after stomping around all evening collecting all that sugary stuff. Why would [...]

Sometimes there is no need to add any commentary to the stories I find in the news. This is one of those cases. According to Human Events, the Nanny State is no longer something to fear, it is here. Read it and weep. An economic recovery bill authored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D.-Conn.) seeks to [...]

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City has been on the forefront of banning certain foods. First it was trans fats in restaurant meals, then a limitation on salt, and a campaign to limit the sale or consumption of sodas. Oh, and like many other municipalities, he has banned smoking in restaurants. We can all [...]

Here we go again. But I suppose if it saves even one child from obesity, the intrusion into our lives will be well worth it. After all, who is better at monitoring our every activity and imposing their parental skills than the government? After all, they really, really care about the children. So the State [...]

Been to a playground lately? I’m amazed at how sterile and boring they are – even though my grandchildren eventually figure out a way to have fun regardless of how boring they are. Likewise, I usually end up injuring them trying to make the experience more exciting and thrilling. You know – swing the swing [...]

Occasionally the progressive left will succinctly and accurately represent their view of government, which is starkly different than that of a limited federal government of enumerated powers. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu did just that Friday in the debate over lightbulbs. Just imagine, the federal government is having a debate about light bulbs. The saddest [...]