we are being controlled every step of the way

Although this quote it was written by wrf3 in a post on slashdot regarding the intention of NY city to ticket people that cross the street listening to iPod music, it is too well said to let it die there. So here it is:

As long as the community has to pay for the consequences of your actions, the community is going to (attempt to) regulate your behavior. What Caesar pays for, Caesar controls. The more socialized this country becomes, the less free it will be.