OK, this is why we're sick of government

James Taranto points us to this story in the Boston Globe:

You probably missed this, with all the U.S. Senate election excitement, but a new law quietly went into effect Jan. 1 that may have more of a day-to-day impact on our daily lives than anything Scott Brown does.

That's right -- government mandated toothbrushing.

No not you, silly. The kids.

The state Department of Early Education & Care is requiring all children in day care longer than four hours and/or who eat a meal to have their teeth brushed on-site. (Parents send in the brush, which is to be replaced every few months, or if the kid is out sick.)

The Globe column continues by pressing those who take exception to this rule to explain themselves. My first response is "bite my ass." My second response is, just because something is good for you doesn't mean the government has the duty or right to force people to do it. If I'm OK with my kids getting their teeth brushed twice a day, and my day care provider has no interest in brushing my kids' teeth and keeping track of toothbrushes, why should the government change that? Where's the bill mandating 30 minutes of piano lessons every day? It's good for them, who could object?

I haven't looked into this law at all but would be surprised if there were no socialized medicine argument behind it. Hey, if we're going to be footing your kid's dental bills, we need to ensure everybody brushes. Right? That's been the [very bad] argument for seat belts and motorcycle helmets. Where does all that end? With video game credits and offsets, ration cards for sweets, and free exercise bikes linked wirelessly to the IRS to provide per mile tax credits?

How about you just let parents be parents again, and if you have time on your hands, go balance the damn budget?