Should We Be Saved From Ourselves? | It’s A Question Of Balance 1 August 2015

Broadcast on 1 August 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world. 

Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Hour 1: Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter: Should we be saved from ourselves?

This week we consider ‘Should we be saved from ourselves?’ There seems to be a general understanding that it is the government’s job to protect us from other people - murderers, rapists, thieves, terrorists - but I’m wondering if you think it’s the government’s job to protect us from ourselves and our potential bad choices. If we look at how we can abuse our bodies - abuse of prescription and illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and food, for example, this abuse involves personal choice and personal responsibility. However, some of these choices may be predicated on socio-economic disadvantage, and/or psychological and emotional trauma, which perhaps affect the ability to make good choices. Does it make sense therefore for the government to try to influence our choices in these areas? Should we be saved from ourselves? Or is it up to us? There’s a discrepancy with how we are dealing with poor personal choices in regard to our health. In some instances we are saying it’s personal choice, in others we are using the law to try to control people’s behaviour. Should there be consistency?

What do you think? For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com