If you don't know who Ben Roethlisberger is, or what happened to him, read about it
here. I don't feel like retelling the whole story.
But, I heard an interesting discussion about his accident on some talk radio show yesterday. I guess Pennsylvania just recently lightened their helmet laws for motorcycles. Big Ben had been lectured about riding without a helmet by his coach, and had been advised by others to wait until he at least retires.
I don't want to debate his actions. He was an idiot, and it almost cost him his life. I haven't read any further reports, but it may jeaopardize his career. That goes without saying.
But how far should the government go in telling us what is good for us? maybe somebody else can make a better argument, but it seems to me that helmet laws are only intended to protect the citizen on the bike. Is that the government's job? Is it Constitutional?
What about seat belt laws? Where does our freedom to do stupid shit end, and the government's job begin???