Should the government be allowed to determine what we wear? I thought the government was of, for and by the PEOPLE. Therefore, if the MAJORITY go to the polls and VOTE not to allow indecent exposure of underwear, then the PEOPLE have spoken – so YES the government should be allowed to determine what society (that includes you, me and our neighbors) deems to be socially acceptable.
Knowing this can be different in different places, we have communities, cities, towns, counties, states, and countries to live in. If we don’t like the rules of our various governments, we can vote to change them or we can move to another place where the rules are more in line with our own way of thinking.
I am most disappointed that the government, OUR government that we voted for, that makes us American and makes America so great, is being labeled as the ‘bad guy’ in these types of debates. The way I understand our government works, it is our messenger. Why is the topic of debate one of shooting the messenger? Did a dictator choose this subject – or did the community at large rightfully and democratically make the choice?
If the ‘government’ shouldn't be allowed to do such things, why have any rules at all or any government at all? The debates lately seem to be completely for the individual, nothing for society as a whole, not even ‘the majority rules’. Because government is being incorrectly labeled this way, the noisy, vulgar, outlandish, generally UNacceptable things are winning over the majority. These same people are telling everyone else not to judge them by their clothes. Isn't what people think of them the very reason they chose such clothing? To make a statement? Is there any such things as clothes NOT saying something about the person when they are being worn? It's just the human way. We each think what we think. I am hearing society say that the individual rights are of far more importance than the good of the majority. And so, we are becoming, if we are not already, a nation in which the minority rules - if only because they are an individual and NOT because what they are doing is of good social value, something that is a good idea which the rest of society tolerates well and perhaps even benefits from.
The saying goes, “united they stand, divided they fall.” To me this means we will eventually fall because we will each become so distinctly offensive to others in order to prove we are unique individuals, that there will be little, if any, unity with which to remain standing. To raise the next generation to be able to keep America running, they need values that will take them there, not a lack of values that makes them less productive.
Dr. Phil, please help correct this gross view of our government. We should substitute the word ‘people’ for the word ‘government’ whenever it refers to something that has been voted on by the PEOPLE!! If your survey did this, I’d bet anything the percentage of people who think the
'people' should be allowed to make these rules, would be vastly different than the answers you got.
And if the ‘government’ shouldn’t make such rules, who should? What other means does society have to determine what is good for it? I heard an answer to this on the show today. MOTHERS! Help us mothers Dr. Phil! How much blame can we live with? D-Roc and Kaine both mentioned mothers. D-Roc said his mother raised him right. Does that mean every person wearing saggin’ pants had a sorry mother? NO SIR! Then Kaine noted that mothers could keep their children away from the likes of him if they don’t approve. Impossible! Can we mothers reduce it, yes. Can we eliminate it, no.
Once kids enter their teen years, many strike out against authority and conformity as a way of determining their individuality as the adults they want to become. They can do the exact opposite of what loving, caring moms teach their children. But society somehow seems to come back and lay that guilt on mothers after encouraging unwanted dress and behavior codes on them against the mothers' wishes. The only chance us mothers have to change this is to VOTE. In this way, we make our community live within rules which allow us to let our children walk in a neighborhood without being exposed to vulgarity, drugs, sex, etc. and be the children we want them to be.
Meanwhile, businesses can also help – they can post signs on their doors saying “Shirt, Shoes, and Pants (Up) required.” Then maybe us mothers can once again take our children out in public without exposing them to other people's dirty laundry!
Do you think the government should be allowed to keep you from wearing something others may find offensive? A debate is gaining attention across the country: Should baggy pants be banned? You’ve seen them, primarily worn by men: oversized pants hanging so low that sometimes the entire behind shows! Local ordinances in 12 states have banned the low-slung look -– but are they unfairly targeting African-Americans? Dr. Phil speaks with guests on both sides of the debate -- including parents. And, Reverend Al Sharpton and Grammy nominated hip-hip artists the Ying Yang Twins join the show with their views on banning baggy pants. Get up to speed on this issue, before YOU get caught with your pants down!
