That wasn’t the question I asked…..

Suddenly the light goes on in their eyes. Almost without exception they’ll say, "Well, it should be mine." To which I’ll say, "So, then you DO support the helmet bill because that’s all it does. It defines whose choice it is. We’re not saying you CAN’T wear a helmet, just that it should be your choice." I love the reactions I get then. It ranges from epiphany to frustration to confusion to acceptance. Watching the little gears churn in their heads as you just turned their world upside down is very enjoyable.

Here in Tennessee we are in the middle of a pitched battle on HB952. All it does is allow adults the freedom to make up their own minds. By the time you read this, the question may have been answered as to its fate. It passed the Senate on 4/1/2004 by a vote of 24-8. It now sits in front of the House Budget Subcommittee. This is where it has been killed many times before due to a false understanding of the economics of the repeal of mandatory helmets, prejudice or just plain ‘nanny state’ government attitude.

As has been proven time and again, when mandatory helmet usage is repealed, there is no public burden. Actually, as Florida has shown, the economic impact is additional revenue of $1.2 Billion dollars in three years from increased motorcycle sales, registrations, accessories, apparel, customization, service work and tourism. Hey, this state is in a budget crunch like most are. Tell your legislator, "We’ll be happy to help you balance the budget and get you more money. Here’s how you can do it. The bikers will pay for it."

As for the ‘prejudice’ issue, well sometimes there is nothing you can do other than be a good example. Some people will never change but a lot will. So, don’t be the stereotype. The BEST thing you can do, especially if your legislator does not support freedom of choice is communicate. Talk with them, not just about this but about other things as well. Get them to understand that you are an intelligent, thoughtful individual who is consistent in your beliefs and you have a great deal of insight to offer. They will come to look upon you as a source of information from the community and they may start to think that your argument makes sense. Communicate and be a friend. Keep in mind, if they still don’t vote for freedom or if they still stand in the way of freedom – nothing in here says you have to vote for them in November!

And lastly, I don’t know about you but my opinion is that it isn’t the government’s job to take care of me. If you look at everything they have outlawed or regulated now that wasn’t when we were kids you’d have to believe it was a miracle that we grew up. I just wish they would get together, pass the things that are needed – like road projects and other things to keep the playing field level – and then go home and let us run our own lives. I have a great set of parents – and they don’t answer to the name of Senator, Representative or Governor.

So, next time you are in discussion with someone from the public or someone who holds office. Make sure they are the answering the question. It’s not about helmets. It’s about whose decision it should be. You might be amazed at who could actually support us if they only realized what the real issue was. Once they do, don’t miss an opportunity to sign them up, get them on our side and join the fight.

Don’t forget to do your Wiring Harness Preventive Maintenance…..

Steve