Abu Wabu

George McGovern was once the poster boy for idiots, back when I dabbled around the edges of idiocy myself. I appreciated his intelligence and humor but never doubted that as President he would be an unmitigated disaster, so flawed was his world view.

To his credit Senator McGovern has recently ventured forth from Idiotworld and discovered a brilliant American concept: individual freedom and responsibility.

Since leaving office I've written about public policy from a new perspective: outside looking in. I've come to realize that protecting freedom of choice in our everyday lives is essential to maintaining a healthy civil society. (Editor's note: Nnn'DUH!)

Why do we think we are helping adult consumers by taking away their options? We don't take away cars because we don't like some people speeding. We allow state lotteries despite knowing some people are betting their grocery money. Everyone is exposed to economic risks of some kind. But we don't operate mindlessly in trying to smooth out every theoretical wrinkle in life.

The nature of freedom of choice is that some people will misuse their responsibility and hurt themselves in the process. We should do our best to educate them, but without diminishing choice for everyone else.

Wow, man, that is some primo shit.