Helmet Laws

Concerning motorcycle helmet laws, I understand the argument saying higher health insurance costs must be paid by the general citizenry for motorcyclists' stupidity, but I respectfully disagree. Cost reduction arguments are a slippery slope to more government intrusion, like criminalizing fatties or smokers or people who like to eat greasy fried chicken - it's putting a price on freedom. Even well-intentioned safety concern is not a sufficient reason to restrict freedom, and the ultimate effect is to infantilize citizens, and try to protect us from ourselves. Another real-world example of this from last weekend - my dad got a $75 ticket for not having a life jacket in his canoe while paddling the creek in front of his house. Even though he is an excellent swimmer and was in less than 5 feet of water, the government believes it knows better than my 56 year old dad what is safe for him. Any parent worth a damn will raise their child to know about seatbelts and life jackets and helmets - it's none of the government's business. My view is that the government acting as safety police further contributes to the pussification of American men. It angers me that many adults in this country are right now fastening their seatbelts not for their personal safety, but out of fear of the police. I have no doubt that eliminating all these BS "crimes" from the books would result in more death and injury, but the price of freedom is responsibility. A grown man has got to know his limitations, and in the USA he should have the freedom to live or die by his own motherfucking decisions.