--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Since when do we let the government…" description: "\"Since when do we let the government decide what is or isn't good for us? What the hell does Congress know about nutrition, anyway?... If the government..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/michael-badnarik-19871_attitude_since-when-do-we-let-the-government-deci_2143747.jpg" --- # Since when do we let the government decide what is or… ![“Since when do we let the government decide what is or isn't good for us? What the hell does Congress know about nutrition, anyway?... If the government can use force whenever something is "in our best interest" then government should force everyone to wake up at 6am every morning for calisthenics…” quote by Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/michael-badnarik-19871_attitude_since-when-do-we-let-the-government-deci_2143747.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/michael-badnarik-19871_attitude_since-when-do-we-let-the-government-deci_2143747.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/michael-badnarik-19871_attitude_since-when-do-we-let-the-government-deci_2143747.jpg) > “Since when do we let the government decide what is or isn't good for us? What the hell does Congress know about nutrition, anyway?... If the government can use force whenever something is "in our best interest" then government should force everyone to wake up at 6am every morning for calisthenics in the front yard. Fast food establishments should be torn down and replaced with bars that serve carrot juice and alfalfa sprouts, since - "it's in your best interest." This paternalistic attitude that "the government knows best" and that you are merely a helpless child is insulting and reprehensible.” [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government overreach in personal choices undermines freedom and responsibility. **In simple terms:** Too much state control hurts liberty. Key Takeaway Advocate for personal responsibility over paternalism. Themes freedom government responsibility Mood critical skeptical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - diet choices - exercise routines - public health campaigns - legislation debates Key Concepts libertarianism public policy individual rights Questions to Reflect On - What limits should government have on personal health? - How can societies promote health without coercion? A Different Perspective Balancing public health benefits with personal liberty is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Calisthenics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calisthenics/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Establishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment/) [Every morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-morning/) [Fast food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fast-food/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Nutrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nutrition/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Wake up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wake-up/) ## Related quotes > [If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-people-let-government-decide-what-foods-they-eat-and-what/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-people-let-the-government-decide-what-foods-they-eat-and-what/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Just as the left has to be more willing to question 'Government knows best,' the right has to rethink its laissez-faire attitude toward government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kemp/just-as-the-left-has-to-be-more-willing-to-question-government-knows/) [Jack Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kemp/) > [Republicans should save the clip of Jonathan Gruber and run it over and over again in the run-up to the 2016 election. This attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/republicans-should-save-the-clip-of-jonathan-gruber-and-run-it-over/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) > [No government has ever been beneficent when the attitude of government was that it was taking care of the people. The only freedom consists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/no-government-has-ever-been-beneficent-when-the-attitude-of/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [It has been raised many times whether media, corporate houses, sports bodies and NGOs should come under RTI or not. It is not up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-thakur/it-has-been-raised-many-times-whether-media-corporate-houses-sports/) [Anurag Thakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-thakur/) > [“Politicians will always offer to handle education, health care, retirement, and so forth, as if they come at no cost. But there are caveats.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-miller/politicians-will-always-offer-to-handle-education-health-care/) [David Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-miller/) > [It's up to any government to decide how to react to the denial of basic human rights anywhere in the world, including Egypt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/it-s-up-to-any-government-to-decide-how-to-react-to-the-denial-of/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Its up to any government to decide how to react to the denial of basic human rights anywhere in the world, including Egypt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/its-up-to-any-government-to-decide-how-to-react-to-the-denial-of/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [I can't sit here and be a hypocrite and say I'm for limited government, but I think the government should decide what women do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tomi-lahren/i-can-t-sit-here-and-be-a-hypocrite-and-say-i-m-for-limited/) [Tomi Lahren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tomi-lahren/) > [The reality is if we sit back and allow a few officials behind closed doors to launch offensive attacks without any oversight against foreign…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/the-reality-is-if-we-sit-back-and-allow-a-few-officials-behind-closed/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [No government can make me wear a veil, no government can force me not to wear it either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/no-government-can-make-me-wear-a-veil-no-government-can-force-me-not/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [Some of the worst abuses of government force in recent years were precipitated by technical and victimless gun-law violations. For example, the BATF claimed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-kopel/some-of-the-worst-abuses-of-government-force-in-recent-years-were/) [Dave Kopel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-kopel/) > [A constitution should be framed so as not to impede the action of government, nor force the government to its violation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-constitution-should-be-framed-so-as-not-to-impede-the-action-of/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The essence of government is force, and most often that force is used to accomplish evil ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/the-essence-of-government-is-force-and-most-often-that-force-is-used/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) ## More by Michael Badnarik > [The Patriot Act makes a mockery of the Sixth Amendment, which protects your right to a speedy and public trial, and your right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/the-patriot-act-makes-a-mockery-of-the-sixth-amendment-which-protects/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [The Constitution: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/the-constitution-it-s-not-just-a-good-idea-it-s-the-law/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [The Libertarian position on the freedom of speech is a strong support of freedom of speech, and we oppose government intervention in controlling what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/the-libertarian-position-on-the-freedom-of-speech-is-a-strong-support/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [Libertarians love their children at least as much as the Democrats and the Republicans, probably more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/libertarians-love-their-children-at-least-as-much-as-the-democrats/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [The Libertarian Party holds that same-sex marriages are an individual issue and that the government has no right to determine with whom a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/the-libertarian-party-holds-that-same-sex-marriages-are-an-individual/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [Communities don't have rights. Only individuals in the community have rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/communities-don-t-have-rights-only-individuals-in-the-community-have/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [When the state or federal government control the education of all of our children, they have the dangerous and illegitimate monopoly to control and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/when-the-state-or-federal-government-control-the-education-of-all-of/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [If someone kills you, they will deprive you of life, but they can never deprive you of your right to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/if-someone-kills-you-they-will-deprive-you-of-life-but-they-can-never/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [Government is necessary for our survival. We need government in order to survive. The Founding Fathers created a special place for government. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/government-is-necessary-for-our-survival-we-need-government-in-order/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [Marriage partners, not government, should define the terms and spiritual orientation of their union in accordance with our nation's guarantee of religious freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/marriage-partners-not-government-should-define-the-terms-and/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [I am a very peaceful man. I love people and am known for my gregarious personality. However, if you try to confiscate my guns,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/i-am-a-very-peaceful-man-i-love-people-and-am-known-for-my-gregarious/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [I find it very offensive when the government tells me what I can and cannot watch. Censor yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/i-find-it-very-offensive-when-the-government-tells-me-what-i-can-and/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [NAFTA and GATT have about as much to do with free trade as the Patriot Act has to do with liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/nafta-and-gatt-have-about-as-much-to-do-with-free-trade-as-the/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [If I give you a forty five percent chance at lethal injection, a fifty percent chance at the electric chair, and a five percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/if-i-give-you-a-forty-five-percent-chance-at-lethal-injection-a-fifty/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) > [I am opposed to any individual taxes until we eliminate all of the unconstitutional agencies, and I suspect we wouldn't need a tax after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-badnarik/i-am-opposed-to-any-individual-taxes-until-we-eliminate-all-of-the/) [Michael Badnarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) [Explore all 32 Michael Badnarik quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-badnarik/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Since when do we let the government decide what is or isn't good for us? What the hell does Congress know about nutrition, anyway?... 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