The Logic of Socialism - Ownership is about the stewardship of things. He who owns a thing is responsible for maintaining it; but he also benefits from it. This is the case for, i.e., capital goods. But it is also the case when the "things" are our selves. In a capitalist society, each person owns himself, and is responsible for his own upkeep. So if a person wants to smoke, or sky-dive, that's his right. In a socialist society, the state owns everyone, and is, therefore, responsible for their collective upkeep. People no longer have a right to do with themselves as they will, because they no longer bear the expense of the consequences.

The NHS in Britain is clearly an instance of socialism. And now they seem to be following the logic of ownership further towards its conclusion: the coercion of people to stop their self-abusing vices.

Overweight people and heavy smokers would have to sign contracts promising to diet or give up cigarettes in return for treatment, under radical new plans being drawn up by Labour. ...

The move comes amid growing concern about the strain on the health service from avoidable illnesses linked to smoking, alcohol, bad diet and workplace stress. For example, Britain suffers a relatively high incidence of heart disease and lung cancer.

What is avoidable? Clearly being fat and smoking are avoidable, at least for some people. But then so are jumping out of airplanes, skiing, eating red meat, and driving to work. Everything we do carries risks; in socialism the state must decide what is too risky and what is acceptable. That is they must decide everything we are permitted to do. This conclusion is repugnant to any right-thinking person.