We have a problem in America, readers. Not some surface problem either, like which Kardashian is the hottest (I can’t get into Kim’s platinum blonde, honestly). I’m talking about a culture-wide philosophical pandemic. Let me give an example. On March 13, Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 389 into law, effectively banning texting and driving for all drivers in the state of Mississippi. What’s the problem here, right? I mean, texting and driving causes accidents, right? Didn’t The Reflector quote the director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol on the subject of auto accidents saying, “9 times out of time 10 it’s due to texting?” So, this seems like a good idea —to ban the thing that causes the accidents, right?

Bear with me and let’s apply that to other scenarios. Have you ever heard of an accident being caused by a driver looking in his rearview too long? Ban it. What about women putting on lipstick? Ban it. Children causing a fuss? Ban it. On second thought, ban children. Flat tire? Ban them. Or ban tires.  How about we just ban cars? They’re a gateway drug.

Can you see the issue here? The real problem is not texting while driving or rearview mirrors or lipstick or children or any of those things. Those things are not necessarily bad (except flat tires — those are the worst). The real problem is one driver, through some form of negligence, caused injury to another. 

This law is such a prime example of America’s thought-disease: preventative legislation.

What I mean to point out is this: the idea human injury can be prevented by more laws and enforcement. Why is that a problem? I mean, if we can prevent someone from getting hurt, doesn’t that make the law worthwhile? Doesn’t everyone have to give something up to live on society? Let me say unequivocally, “NO.” The powers that be only have authority to punish wrongdoing. If I can text and drive and I don’t cause any harm, the Highway Patrol has no authority by God or any other power to punish me. The same goes for lipstick, seatbelts, alcohol, weed or whatever else I may own. 

Let me make this clear: I’m certainly not advocating texting and driving. Drivers have a responsibility, and we should be well aware of it.

But if we really want to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, we’ve got to come to the place where we give each other the freedom — yeah, this is America, y’all — to make choices and MIND OUR OWN D–N BUSINESS. Sure, if my neighbor causes injury by texting and driving, he’s responsible. But not anytime before.