The Kindness That Stings with Intolerable Insult

Statement

"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. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be "cured" against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals."

-- C.S. Lewis, "God in the Dock" (1948)

As a child I was introduced to the Chronicles of Narnia and later to the Space Trilogy. Lewis's insight into human nature is very good.

Some people recognize that government can be a problem, but feel that it is a necessary evil in order to protect us from corporate or business interests. I am not blind to the problems of big business (selfishness combined with power), but I see the dangers from "moral busybodies" as greater. I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs, don't gamble, don't play violent video games, don't view pornography, don't eat meat, exercise regularly, and otherwise feel like I'm doing a fine job of looking after myself. But having people tell me that they are making rules for my own good is intolerable. I promise that I will not be that sort of tyrant. Can other candidates say the same?

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