TOO MUCH REGULATION

Ephedra, we are told, is - or may possibly be - "linked to'' the deaths of
some 155 people in this country, all of whom are reported to have taken the
herbal supplement (Nation/World, Dec. 31). This government study does not
tell us how many people died during that same period who were not using
ephedra. Does it follow that all of those deaths are ``linked to'' the
failure to use ephedra? Somehow I think not.

But I do think our government has long been looking for an excuse to
regulate another product or service, almost any product or service, lest we
fall into the habit of thinking and acting for ourselves. Horrors!

I do wish the ubiquitous "they'' would keep their hands off all functions
except those few enumerated in the U.S. Constitution.

FRANK RODERUS, Spring Hill