Green Mountain Daily has uncovered allegations that the Vermont State Police are collecting pharmacy records in the state. So far, there has been no pharmacist on record, nor any other official on record in this story, so I don’t want to go off on a tirade here, but this is worth paying attention to.
If this is happening, it must be stopped.
Here is Odum’s original post, his follow up, and a great summation post by Julie Waters.
I will be following this story and keeping you informed.
I have to go off on a tangent here, though. I just can’t resist.
Here is the situation. The state has an interest in catching illegal users of prescription drugs. In order to do so, they are looking at the records of all people who have had prescriptions for the schedule II narcotics, not just those who are suspected of a crime.
This is an outrage, for obvious reasons. We are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, and we have a constitutionally protected expectation of privacy, that is not supposed to be violated without just cause, and a warrant.
With me so far?
Now, let me replace the suspected crime and the records being taken by the state, and let’s see how many of you still have the same reaction.
Here is the situation. The state has an interest in catching parents guilty of educational neglect. In order to do so, they are looking at the records of all people who homeschool their children, not just those who are suspected of a crime.
This is an outrage, for obvious reasons. We are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, and we have a constitutionally protected expectation of privacy, that is not supposed to be violated without just cause, and a warrant.
Still with me? Doubtful. How many times have I heard: I have a right to know that you are educating your children.
Don’t I have a right to know you aren’t a drug addict? Isn’t it in society’s best interest?
Of course I am being facetious here; this prescription thing is an outrage.
I just find it interesting that certain bloggers who are upset about this, are the same ones who mock my claims of violated privacy when the state forces me to submit my homeschooling records every year.
From Five Before Chaos:
It’s funny, with all of the constant accusations from the right about the Dems being the “nanny’ party, they seem to forget the very prescient fact that the Republicans are undoubtedly the “Big Brother” party.
It’s all in your perspective, JD. From where I sit, you look pretty Big Brother yourself.
By the way, what was the Democratic position on Act 185? That’s the one that made our income information public record. (Hint: They are the ones who wouldn’t fix it.)
How about we just worry about fixing the problem and stop playing politics, eh?
December 5th, 2007 at 7:39 am
So where are the HIPPA rules in all of this? Do you mean that ridiculous little paper I am forced to sign each year doesn’t protect the information about the pharmaceuticals I buy?
December 5th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Glad you’re on board with this but a lousy analogy. Are you objecting to the state requiring you to file educational plans with them? I don’t see how that in any way shape or form is similar to law enforcement prying through your medical info. So are you saying if you’re not educating your children competently, the state has no interest in that? That’s a minority position you have there.
Do you have a right to know if I’m a drug addict? No, any more than you have a right to know if I have AIDS, a flu, or athlete’s foot. I still don’t see how that’s the same as the state wondering if you’re teaching your kids competently.Apples to oranges.
Does the state have a right to know if you install a septic tank improperly? Does that infringe on your privacy?
Nice new theme, btw.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
“I still don’t see how that’s the same as the state wondering if you’re teaching your kids competently”
You don’t see why it’s the same because it doesn’t apply to you. You only care about protecting freedoms that affect you.
“Are you objecting to the state requiring you to file educational plans with them?”
There is a lot more involved than just filing a plan.
I object to having to provide the state with records regarding what is going on in my home. It is none of their business. Unless I am being accused of a crime, I have a right to privacy.
The state has no right to oversee the education of my children. Especially considering that they have never had one single problem with any of the information I have sent them. I have proven over and over that I am competent to do a good job.
Yes, I do have a minority view. My point exactly. Most people only care about freedom and privacy if it will affect them.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
“So where are the HIPPA rules in all of this? ”
My understanding is that the state is violating the HIPPA rules.
December 6th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Now, I’m not being snarky here.. moreso trying to understand where you’re coming from . Can you elaborate on what you mean by “what is going on in your home’? Is the state singling you out for something or giving you a hard time about something?
I do care about things that don’t affect me directly. That’s why I feel that it is important to have an educated citizenry. When we don’t, we get creationist museums, “The Secret”, and George W. Bush.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
No, I am not having any problems with the state and I never have. Believe me, if that was the case, you would have heard all about it!
I follow the law and give the state the information the want, and I have had no problems from them.
That is not the point. The point is that what we teach in our homeschool is not public information; it is private.
You do not have the right to see what every family is doing for homeschool just because you don’t want any parents to be able to teach creation science. What kind of justification is that for invading someone’s privacy?
People have the right to believe in things that you don’t. That is what FREEDOM is all about.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:16 am
Yes, the freedom to be ignorant is still a freedom, I guess.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Further, I guess there’s not really much more we can debate on. I think the state (and the public) has a compelling interest in ensuring an educated citizenry, and you obviously don’t. If people want to raise idiots, I hardly see how that benefits society.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I went to public school, and my children were in public school, too. I’m sorry to have to be the one to break this to you, but the schools are doing little to stop people from raising idiots.
I encounter idiots every time I leave my house and homeschooling only accounts for 1% or less of the population (though it is slightly more now, I think).
The vast majority of adults in this country were public schooled, yet the majority of people do not believe in evolution in the sense that man evolved from a common ancestor with apes.
Your justification for government intrusion into families is a non sequitur.
If it is your belief that a person’s freedom and privacy can be violated as long as someone comes up with a reason that sounds like compelling public interest, then you don’t really care about defending freedom.
I am not trying to attack you, JD, I am trying to get you to push yourself to re-examine your beliefs.
You are only as free as the next guy, whose freedom you do not mind taking away, if he is going to spread the “fundy virus” to his kids.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Just to clarify, for anyone reading this, JD is the one that thinks that people who believe that God created man are idiots, not I.