# Banning Dangerous Sports **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 18, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736 "2011-09-18T19:36:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736/101 "2011-09-27T21:12:49Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Now you’re getting to the point of having government micromanage everyone’s life. You’ll get a strong (and justified) pushback on this because it is a horribly inefficient way of managing costs. It would make far more sense to simply put a limit on the health care anyone receives, and give an appeal process. > > In other words, your solution is worse than the problem. The government wouldn’t micromanage anything. Everyone would be responsible for their own choices. Some choices would be taxed more than others, however. And what about “put a limit on the health care anyone receives”? Are you suggesting fat people and people with smoking-related lung cancer shouldn’t get treatment pending an appeal? I think EVERYONE should be treated, but if they’re gonna cost the taxpayer more, then they should put more into the pot to pay for it. I do not believe it’s fair for individuals to mooch off the taxpayer and have the taxpayer subsidize their lifestyles. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736/102 "2011-09-27T23:50:28Z")
> [@Borzo](#): > > People who voluntarily participate in activities that cost the taxpayers lots of money should either be taxed or have their activities banned. I think this is a fantastic idea! I have one more to add to the list for you, it’s probably the costliest of all. Having children! Millions of people participate in this voluntarily activity that costs taxpayers billions of dollars. Should we start by taxing parents or perhaps we should just ban having children altogether? Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736/103 "2011-09-28T00:09:25Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > I think this is a fantastic idea! > > I have one more to add to the list for you, it’s probably the costliest of all. Having children! Millions of people participate in this voluntarily activity that costs taxpayers billions of dollars. Should we start by taxing parents or perhaps we should just ban having children altogether? Thoughts? Last time I checked, children turn into adults at some point, and generate a net positive value. Maybe yours haven’t yet, but give them some time to grow, and maybe they’ll eventually blossom. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736/104 "2011-09-28T00:36:10Z")
> [@Borzo](#): > > Last time I checked, children turn into adults at some point, and generate a net positive value. Maybe yours haven’t yet, but give them some time to grow, and maybe they’ll eventually blossom. How does being an adult automatically generate a net positive value? I’d really like to hear that explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736/105 "2011-09-28T00:57:25Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > How does being an adult automatically generate a net positive value? I’d really like to hear that explanation. I’m sure there are particular adults who may fail to do so, but on average, a net positive value is generated. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736/106 "2011-09-28T02:13:07Z")
> [@Borzo](#): > > I’m sure there are particular adults who may fail to do so, but on average, a net positive value is generated. How about this: You pay a tax for having children, but can claim a rebate if & when they actually turn into contributing adults? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-dangerous-sports/596736.md?page=5)