Re:EARN IT Act Remains a Threat to Liberty, Security, & Safe...
by rayiner on Thursday May 04, 2023 @07:58PM
(#35823714)
> it would be ridiculous to ban these things through law because the government should not be intruding into citizens' private lives in this way.
Why? States, at least, have the general police power. The first amendment limits it, but the government can regulate conduct generally, and laws against an adultery have impeccable constitutional pedigree.
The government should be able to protect its citizens from harm for the good of the overall community. For example, infidelity hurts children and thus creates a negative externality. Why can’t the government address such externalities like it can with others?
https://news.gallup.com/poll/235250/say-consuming-alcohol-ma...
Also, the proportion of people who find hate speech morally acceptable is likely much lower than 43%, yet that is still protected in the U.S. by the First Amendment.
An activity needs to be more than merely "morally unacceptable" to some people to justify banning it through legislation. You must also consider the infringement of personal liberties that a ban on that activity would cause, the resulting collateral damage, and whether the ban is practically enforceable. Prohibition was unsuccessful in the U.S. even at a time when the temperance movement triggered a wave of anti-alcohol sentiment because there were enough people who rejected the belief that others should be able to restrict their liberties based on different opinions on what is morally acceptable.