Why are so many US citizens freedom haters these days?

It's fear. Yes, we want to be safe. But I agree that we shouldn't jump the gun and ban things just because they MIGHT be bad, COULD be bad, or are only bad when used improperly. A soda ban is stupid. A person chooses whether or not to drink soda, and in small amounts it's not unhealthy. But a trans fat ban is a bit different. You can try to make a healthy choice, but end up eating trans fat without knowing it. Or eat it without knowing how dangerous it is, because you don't think food companies would be allowed to put poison in the food products. And all the same foods can be made without trans fats. This is why I stand behind the trans fat ban.

The gun ban is a much harder issue for me. I understand both sides very well. For years I have not been able to decide which would be best. People want to ban guns because they see that, clearly, many of the people who have guns are an unnecessary danger. This is true. But they feel safe enough to trust the government to take away all their guns, and I definitely understand why many don't think this is wise. The government may be safe now, but things change, systems go bad, unexpected problems arise.

"Pointless" building inspections is something you'll have to explain more. Are there truly pointless inspections going on? Or do you just not think any inspections are necessary? If you think the latter is the case, please watch some footage of earthquakes and read some stories about factory fires. Surely an inspection doesn't take away any of your freedom, but it might save your life.

Loaded question aside, you forgot to add gay marriage bans at the state level to your list. At least be consistent. A federal government ban isn't a whole lot different than a state government taking away your rights.

And even though I'm not a libertarian (and neither was JS Mill), there's a certain charm to the harm principle. "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others."

I guess the real problem is so many people see each of these things as harmful in one way or another. I'll start believing that both Republicans and Democrats believe in freedom when they're willing to admit some of the stuff the stuff they want to ban really isn't that harmful. I'll probably be waiting a while though, given how things are going and even how this question was asked.

So, I don't like Freedom Fries cooked in trans-fats. 20,000 heart attacks attributed to trans-fats a year, so screw the freedom of Southland Food Corp to poison me with them.

Mayor Bloomberg just stole the freedom of 18 year olds to buy ciggerattes in NY today.. Liberals are Communists...

i doubt a real warrior will fight over a soda ban. there were true beefs in the past.. i guess many of those are passable inconveniences... or at least nothing worth dying over.

I've said as much myself. Abortion bans, laws against marijuana, laws against gay marriage, laws to make it harder for poor people to vote, laws to expand the powers of the secret police, to expand the power of the military, sure.

Yeah it's a damn shame isn't it.

You must be from the south... and morbidly obese as well as a disgusting chain smoker.

Why should I pay for your medical bills seeing as how you have no self control or know how to take care of yourself? Why should I be forced to smell your repulsive nicotine while I'm trying to eat?

You talk as if we're all filthy red necks like you..

Because They'd rather be "SAFE" ( & Sorry for Themselves- when Something Bad STILL Happens to Them- Anyway ). :(

Freedom doesn't get food at your dine.