Michigan House Passes Controversial Motorcycle Helmet Repeal Bill Today

[St0nkingByte]

I rather enjoyed the Fark.com headline for this story:

Michigan lawmakers repeal state's 37-year-old law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets. In related news, your new liver is currently atop a 1200cc sportbike on I-96

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news...6/07/69237.htm

[inspiron]

Those supporting the legislation such as ABATE say motorcyclists should have the freedom to ride without a helmet. At least 30 other states, including some in the Midwest, give adults the option to not wear a helmet.

America, land of the free? A law stating that I must wear a helmet infringes on my freedom and has to be repealed. And at the same time, the president is trying to promote a constitutional ammendment to prevent gays and lesbians from being able to get married ... ... what about their freedom and their right to "the pursuit of happiness" ???

[Louis]

I certainly don't feel less free beause I have to a helmet. I'd wear one anyway too... Oh well.

[Trapper]

Stupid. Bring on the "I don't need the gov't telling me what to do" crap , all the while they're wiretapping your phone.

[Clint]

I'm with Inspiron. WTF?

[Louis]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'm with Inspiron. WTF?

Oh boy, this one is for the records! Clint and Jim agreeing!

[dichotomous]

yes well, we have our freedom constantly taken away in such small doses that rarely effect most people as local law is pretty lax in most smaller cities and towns. Like the dog and chain analogy, no we wont notice 1 link added instead of taken away, especially if we dont really go to that part of the yard anyways, but its nice to know we CAN, and every minor battle won helps us out. As far as the marriage thing goes, its not really something that most people understand unfortunetly. I can attest to this cause I looked through it all and tried to figure it out, not cause I am gay, cause I am from VT and got sick of everyone claiming us super liberal and the gay state, when there was a handfull of politicians behind closed doors signing that crap which wasnt really gay related at all but was twisted around into gay marriage instead of a tax write off system for anyone who felt like it. Most of the gay marriage related issues I have heard come from money aspects, not whether or not the government cares if they are kissing. And those tax breaks and insurance deals and unions designed for man + woman are primarily to function to create the possibility for a more secure child raising situation. Though that system IS outdated and could be revised. Bush has his head up his *** so much that we forget to care anymore, this was merely a political battle with no REAL effects aside from stirring things up.
I know when I get married, I wont care if that holy state of matrimony and title is shared with some couple who happens to be guy-guy, considering all the divorces and such, I dont know why anyone REALLY cares aside from wanting to keep tax breaks for themselves.

[S2Design]

Great headline. Some Senator probably needs a kidney, what better way to shorten the list!

[stp1971]

Hey,,, I'm all for cleaning up the gene pool. I dunno,, wearing a helmet isn't all that bad. At least they aren't making everyone wear speedos.

[Jonger]

Its expected to be vetoed by our "mommy Governor". She ran a campaign on the idea that shes going to mommy up the state and everything was for the children. Don't expect this to make it past the governor. Some drunken biker could get on his bike without a helmet and crash into a helpless toddler. If the governor had it her way motorcycles would probably be illegal.

[inspiron]

In honor of this landmark government decision, I went out today and bought myself a brand new Schubert S1 full-face helmet.

[Time4me2ride]

Originally Posted by Jonger

Its expected to be vetoed by our "mommy Governor". She ran a campaign on the idea that shes going to mommy up the state ...

She would fit right in in Europe or Canada, or anywhere else that wants a Nanny Government to protect people from themselves. I never take the bike out of the driveway without gearing up, but it has nothing to do with legislative lunacies or gubernatorial goobers.

Personally I think that the few people that die in MC accidents each year are a drop in the bucket compared to the millions that die from obesity related illnesses. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE TRAGEDY. There should be a law preventing the consumption of more than 1 dessert per week. Violators should be ticketed. Anyone over 350 lbs should be incarcerated and put on a strict 1200cal/day diet with strict exercise regimen. And don't give me the innocents arent hurt argument. Just last week a fat lady had a heart attack while driving and crashed into a busstop. Innocents are killed too. Is a mom any less distressed if her 45 year old son dies of a stroke instead of a motorcycle accident? And while we're at it, we need to tax donut shops, bakeries and any other capitalist exploiters that are profitting from peoples weakness. They should be sued for the millions of $ of lost productivity and heartache their products cause. What about the millions in healthcare costs incurred due to these unsafe products?...

What makes sense for Govt to control, what do people need to decide for themselves? Everyone draws the line somewhere, it just seems that more and more people give the government a bigger share of control.

[inspiron]

Over here, they raised the taxes on "Alcopops" (drinks like the Bacardi Breezer, aimed at the young drinkers) - the result was a drop in alcohol abuse by kids.

They also raised the taxes on cigarettes in Germany - and that one backfired. It actually caused people to stop smoking, resulting in a tax revinue loss for the government. They had to step back from a further tax increase on cigs because they were worried that they would lose too much income

[Time4me2ride]

Let's see, the government passes a tax to help protect people, but then backs off when revenue is hurt. Maybe it's really just about the money and they don't give a flip about the constituents. Naaaa, I'm sure they are really looking out for our best interests.

[tlwisner]

I am firmly against mandatory helmet laws and seatbelt laws - they only serve to maintain and increase the population of stupid people. The FARK headline says it all, especially since if you need a new liver you certainly won't get a good one from a cruiser rider!

[Scott58]

Good deal. They'll be using that gene pool arguement in favor of mass transit one day.

[Trapper]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I am firmly against mandatory helmet laws and seatbelt laws - they only serve to maintain and increase the population of stupid people. The FARK headline says it all, especially since if you need a new liver you certainly won't get a good one from a cruiser rider!

Why don't you just run them off the road then?

Would you be in favour of culling children in , say, grade 2 if they don't have xxx IQ?

Maybe if you fail grade 10 you get a bullet between the eyes.

SAT results - some envelopes contain white powder, some don't.

Sounds very "1984ish" to me.

Can you prove to me that people that don't wear helmets or seatbelts are "stupid"? Sources.

[Time4me2ride]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I am firmly against mandatory helmet laws and seatbelt laws - they only serve to maintain and increase the population of stupid people. The FARK headline says it all, especially since if you need a new liver you certainly won't get a good one from a cruiser rider!

Hehe, I thought the cruiser riders were the ones on the list for the new liver

Some people need to laugh once in a while.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Why don't you just run them off the road then?

Would you be in favour of culling children in , say, grade 2 if they don't have xxx IQ?

Maybe if you fail grade 10 you get a bullet between the eyes.

SAT results - some envelopes contain white powder, some don't.

Of course, everybody who opposes helmet laws wants to kill children.

[Trapper]

The statement I have issue is not the fact that you oppose helmet laws, it is the reason you stated.

they only serve to maintain and increase the population of stupid people