"Nanny State" vs. "Victimless Crime"

[darklordoftech]

When regulations of tobacco, soda, or biking without a helmet come up, I hear the term "nanny state", but when the War on Drugs is discussed, I hear the term, "victimless crime". Is there any difference between "nanny state" and victimless crime"?

[America Needs R'hllor]

Not really. The current laws make the drugs illegal and punish those who use them- the "nanny state" regulations don't make soda\tobbaco\whatever illegal or punishable. So it's quite different- victimless crime is about, well, crimes, while nanny stateism is about (sometimes) excessive regulation.

[dead0man]

a "nanny state" gives you "victim less crimes", they are not the same.


nanny state-a label to give govts that White Knight for it's citizens, whether they want it or not

victim less crimes-actions a nanny state govt view as crimes, even though nobody is being hurt