quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

Archer,

I think this is his point---if we get picky and technical, nothing you've said is literally true for the nation.

Consequently, the phrase denotes not a situation, but an attitude.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DCWoody

For me, nanny state as in nanny (old fashioned child carer)....tells 'the people' not to do things, thinks they need telling to look after themselves.

Essentially benevolent secular authoritarianism.

Don't drink, it's unhealthy....drive slowly, you might crash....no smoking, cancer....no loud music, rude to neighbours.....no cheese chasing, dangerous....all curbs must be between X & X height, to minimise risk of tripping over. Etc etc.

(almost) Everyone supports it to some extent, speed limits for example.....but people tend to get pissed when it goes over the top.

The more I think about describing it, the more I think 'benevolent authoritarianism' is spot on. It's the government doing things, making laws, 'for your own good'.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrRodgers

quote:

ORIGINAL: DCWoody

For me, nanny state as in nanny (old fashioned child carer)....tells 'the people' not to do things, thinks they need telling to look after themselves.

Essentially benevolent secular authoritarianism.

Don't drink, it's unhealthy....drive slowly, you might crash....no smoking, cancer....no loud music, rude to neighbours.....no cheese chasing, dangerous....all curbs must be between X & X height, to minimise risk of tripping over. Etc etc.

(almost) Everyone supports it to some extent, speed limits for example.....but people tend to get pissed when it goes over the top.

The more I think about describing it, the more I think 'benevolent authoritarianism' is spot on. It's the government doing things, making laws, 'for your own good'.

Well yes, as in overwrought mother...chiding her children to behave. I am talking life changing aspects such as not starving, not moving back into an apt., not going bankrupt, not getting even emerg. medical care, seems for me some the nanny state is all about those they choose who are the beneficiaries while assuming others pay.

When we've all been beneficiaries some not needing it as much and often receiving more than others while...we've all paid.

Mother has her favorites now and then when it comes to her brand of medicine.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

Seems they'd have a better case if they pointed to actual instances alone. Hence, the attitude over substance.

quote:

ORIGINAL: housesub4you

Or

Restricting what a woman can do with her body, because of ones own moral/religious beliefs and forcing it on others

quote:

ORIGINAL: Archer

Nanny State a government that is focused on protecting the populace from themselves. A government who thinks and acts on the thought that the government is the answer to every problem the people have. People too fat regulate the food industry to the point where they can't sell food that is "unhealthy" in the eyes of the government. People refuse to buy insurance for their health instead choosing various luxury items. Mandate coverage that allow them to have both the luxuries and the insurance by redistrubuting the wealth. (and one to show that the conservatives can be just as nannyish) Dislike abortion force the pregant to give birth because they obviously don't know enough to know that it's murder.

The idea that Nanny (government) knows best is not restricted to socialist ideas. It can be done by any government that seeks to subvert the individual rights and responsibilities for the good of the group.