Philosophers from Aristotle to John Locke have debated for hundreds of year over the proper role of government. Questions over paternalism have ling been asked: Is it the government’s responsibility to protect you from yourself? This has been the primary argument against seat belt laws for decades, however New Jersey has now extended their seat-belt mandate to even include pets! The state has been known for their growing budget deficit so could this be a meager attempt to generate revenue? The nanny state continues at CBS explains further:
“Click it or ticket. It’s not just for people anymore — at least in the Garden State.
Police and animal control officers are authorized to cite drivers with unrestrained animals in the car. Yes, that includes the back of a pickup truck too. Violators can be fined $250 to $1,000 per offense.”
“Dogs can be placed in harnesses that click right into the seat belt buckle. Cats don’t take well to harnesses for the most part, so they need to go in a carrier. And the carrier needs to be buckled down.”
