In reading this week's Last Word, I essentially agreed with Matt Sturrock's assertion that as a society we are over- regulated and over-governed. However, I was troubled by his statement that said, in essence, who cares what we do to ourselves as consenting adults (e.g. expose ourselves to second or firsthand smoke, cycle without a helmet, etc.) so long as we aren't hurting others. Well, maybe I am not being hurt directly if you smear yourself across the road; but my wallet is certainly going to suffer. Since our health system is funded by taxpayers, if you wind up paralyzed or lose a limb or two, it is the taxpayer who shoulders the financial responsibility of repairing your broken body. Further, it is the taxpayer who pays for chemotherapy radiation treatments when you develop lung, throat or mouth cancer due to smoking. If you are injured or sick due to circumstances beyond your control, that is one thing; but why should the taxpayers pay for your hospital and health care bills when you fail to take the often reasonable measures to avoid exposure to unnecessary risk? Christopher Baker

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