Measles

Since smokers die younger and enjoy fewer social security benefits, does Alan argue for lower Social Security taxes for smokers?

If Alan approved of Social Security taxes, he would argue that smokers end up on Social Security Disability more frequently than non-smokers so it all works out.

If you believe that children should not receive the medicines that have defeated contagious diseases decades ago, then yes, the government is smarter than you and knows better than you.

To address the original question:

Lancet, a juried and the respected of respected medical journals, published a study, that suggested childhood vaccinations caused autism, something about mercury (miniscule amount) being part of the preservative and the cause of autism. The study was soon discredited and remains discredited.

This study was so bogus that a college freshman would have recognized it, yet it got published. Lancet had to retract it with huge amount of egg on it's face.

The 'scientist' had conducted the 'study' among children who attended his kid's birthday party. Several had been diagnosed with autism. He polled the parents whether their kids had been vaccinated. Based on the percentage that had been diagnosed with autism, his hypothesis, or conclusion, or whatever, was that vaccines could cause neurological disorders including autism.

Word of the 'study' findings went viral and many parents chose to not have their kids vaccinated.

When you have a disease come into a vaccinated, or otherwise protected (natural immunity) population, the disease won't take over in big numbers. When there is no immunity, it can take over. That is one reason for the panic over ebola in the US. We haven't been exposed over the years, no natural immunity, no vaccine.

Now, I was born in 1947, and as far as I know the MMR did not exist. All us kids of my age group got measles, mumps (painful!) and chicken pox. It was almost a passage, a part of growing up. We did get the smallpox vaccination and later polio vaccine. I got vaccinated for MMR when I went to nursing school as it was required.

These are just facts, not a political statement or position.

This is not the philosophy of most Libertarians, but there is not total agreement on it. Most Libertarians take the position that coerced vaccinations are acceptable because you have no right to expose others to your diseases.

Now, if Vaccinations could be given at birth and were 100% effective then you would only be risking yourself or your kids...which is your business. But that's not the case. You're exposing infants who cannot be vaccinated, those who were vaccinated but the vaccination was not effective and those with compromised immune systems. You have no right to do that...just like you have no right to blow smoke in my face.

All that being said, virtually all states allow exceptions to vaccinations on religious or philosophical grounds.

https://reason.com/archives/2013/12/06/vaccine-free-riders-1

DonDiego has noticed a propensity among those practicing neither to equate libertarianism with religious fundamentalism. This can cause confusion when attributing motives to others.

Sorry. I did not mean confuse poor old DonDiego. I was just pointing out that there are recognized exceptions to government mandated vaccinations. Although Libertarians are staunch supporters of religious freedom the vast majority are not religious fundamentalists.

Oh are those guys thinking the same as me? You're correct I have not one shred of proof but I DO remember when all those kids were being admitted to the schools around here that all shots and immunizations were waived for 'em. Even you have enough brain power to draw a correlation there don't you? Guess I shouldn't assume.

My basic belief is that parents should have the right to do whatever they want to do with their kids. I believe that the government should stay out of peoples lives. HOWEVER, and this is a huge BUT here..... Its a very crowded world we live in. What you do in your life will very likely effect those around you.

Is it wrong to put others at risk of contracting an easily preventable disease because of your beliefs?

In our litigious society I am surprised that there has not already been lawsuits against the voluntarily unvaccinated who infect others.

Wow - this is rich. First you admit that you're making stuff up, then question my intelligence for calling you out on your bullshit "correlation." Now you're going to double down, again without proof, with "all those kids were being admitted to the schools around here that all shots and immunizations were waived for 'em?" You guys are hilarious!