Booster seats now mandatory in New Brunswick (http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/05/02/booster-seat-law.html)

Under the law, which was passed in December, children younger than nine must be strapped into a booster seat with a seatbelt until they weigh 80 pounds and four feet nine inches.

Parents who don’t comply with the law will be fined $172.50 for each violation.

…”Just for eight [seats], $1,000, it cost us yesterday, and we need more,”…

Parents have to spend even more money now, but they should be able to decide how to spend their own money, and may actually have more important priorities for their families. It would be strange if many families were actually able to afford booster seats. This is more interference and oppression from governments and it’s nothing new, already in Ontario. Business as usual. Good for the booster seat industry too.

The main hook for government tyranny continues to be exaggerated concerns about the safety and health of children just like with the plans to ban smoking in cars. None of them are going hungry? None of them are getting sick? Why don’t you get out of peoples’ lives and let them keep their money for their priorities? This should be left to consumers.

It is also another surveillance stick to beat people over the heads with when they’re pulled over. But we go along with these things like good little slaves. When we’re told what to do and threatened with abuse by the government, yes, then we jump to it. “It’s a good idea. I’m not doing it because I’m threatened with abuse by the government.” Sure, defend it. The government doesn’t abuse anybody, right? All that trained guilt is kicking in. Reach for your wallets.

(Original Post)