MA Bill mandating wearing of lifejackets ALWAYS in boats <20'

[Van]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

I don't agree with the law (I like the idea of mandatory for kids though, even an inflatable as they get older) but not wearing a seatbelt is just idiotic.



except your family when you go through a windhsield

Let me re-phrase...I don't wear my seatbelt... unless I feel its needed. My 10mph drive to work in solid traffic every day NO.....Heading down I-95 with retards doing 80 all around me....YES...
When I started driving, most cars did not come with seatbelts...yet I'm still here.....

I don't wear my life jacket all the time, but I do when I'm out alone. I have auto inflatable for comfort and also have auto-tether.

These are by choice not by mandate. I think I am intelligent enough to make my own decisions on my safety.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Van

These are by choice not by mandate. I think I am intelligent enough to make my own decisions on my safety.

fair enough.

I don't like the mandate either, but keep in mind, many on the water are not intelligent enough to make their own decisions on their safety

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

fair enough.

I don't like the mandate either, but keep in mind, many on the water are not intelligent enough to make their own decisions on their safety

Dangerous statement there. We should allow people to make their own decisions when it comes to their own safety. When it doesn't directly affect others, the government should stay the hell out of my personal choices. Common sense is a dying skill in this country because people are less and less expected to make correct decisions.

If we allow those too stupid to make the correct choice or be culled out, maybe we won't turn into the mindless society that depends on a nanny-state to tell us what's right and wrong.

Hold people accountable for their own choices, as opposed to expecting Uncle Scam to protect us from ourselves. If you don't want to wear a seatbelt in the car, then don't expect my insurance to pay for your smashed in face when you hit the windshield.

[Mr. Sandman]

This can go down a loooooong some what political road ... and I don't want to derail this thread but....

you should then by rights charge $500/pack for cigarettes since my insurance has to deal with your lung cancer some outrageous fee for motorcycles, booze, cars, fatty foods, sodas, etc even condoms! anything that is viewed as dangerous by the white house.

Look, you guys voted in this big do-all government administration, you live with it. If you don't like this kind of oversight, the vote for the other party. IMO you got what you asked for. What kills me is you will vote the same way next election

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

TIf you don't like this kind of oversight, the vote for the other party. IMO you got what you asked for. What kills me is you will vote the same way next election

Did you happen to check the letter after the sponsors names?

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Dangerous statement there. We should allow people to make their own decisions when it comes to their own safety. When it doesn't directly affect others, the government should stay the hell out of my personal choices. Common sense is a dying skill in this country because people are less and less expected to make correct decisions.

If we allow those too stupid to make the correct choice or be culled out, maybe we won't turn into the mindless society that depends on a nanny-state to tell us what's right and wrong.

Hold people accountable for their own choices, as opposed to expecting Uncle Scam to protect us from ourselves. If you don't want to wear a seatbelt in the car, then don't expect my insurance to pay for your smashed in face when you hit the windshield.

But:
I rear-end someone w/o a seatbelt on, and minor accident turns worse, and my insurance will cover it and my costs likely go up more.

[fishsmith]

Good news, this bill was shot down.

BOSTON —
A bill requiring boaters to wear life jackets seems to have gone overboard.

The legislation filed by Rep. Vinny deMacedo, R-Plymouth, would require everyone, including adults, on board a boat under 20 feet to wear a life jacket while the boat is in operation.

At a State House hearing Tuesday, the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard from legislators against deMacedo’s proposal.

Some were brief.

“Enough is enough. Adults can make decisions for themselves,” state Rep. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, said in her short testimony. “I think it’s a ridiculous bill. Thank you.”

State law only requires that enough life jackets for everyone be on board. Only children younger than 12 are required to wear them.

State Rep. Steven Levy, R-Marlboro, echoed Gobi’s opinion. “This is an overreaching bill,” he said.

Committee Chairman Walter Timilty, D-Milton, called for anyone in favor of the bill to weigh in, but no one did.

Read more: Mandatory life jacket bill sunk by lack of support - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger