I don’t think the state has excised itself from moral dictation to the individual based on the desires of the representatives anywhere on a national level, so t

I don’t think the state has excised itself from moral dictation to the individual based on the desires of the representatives anywhere on a national level, so the current government is not a plumber, it’s a collection of people who tell you what you can and can’t do. I also do not think of a plumber, or a construction worker (why not just stick with your example) as a parent. But I do think of a cop or judge or congressman as similar to a step-father.