Another Dumb Law

October

They’re at it again! How do they dream this stuff up?

Last night the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed yet another one of those nutty “raise awareness” laws that are supposedly designed to save people from their own apathy, stupidity and negligence but in reality, will have no impact whatsover on the course of human events.

This time, the danger is inflatable swimming pools! They are the board’s latest scourge.

Citing statistics that children under the age of 4 have a drowning rate more than three times that of other age groups and that 17 children drowned in 2005 as opposed to 10 in 2003, the board went into high gear. They created a law that makes it mandatory for retailers to post a county advisory, warning consumers of the drowning hazards of inflatable pools. Of course, if store owners don’t comply, fines will be levied between $150 and $250.

It’s ludicrious to even say this, but intelligent parents hardly need a sign to remind them that placing an infant in a foot of water requires vigilance. Dumb parents aren’t going to pay attention no matter what.

Laws like this are an attempt to give the impression that the legislators are concerned about public safety. The intentions are good, but the result is patronizing. You can trace these kind of laws back to the Surgeon General warnings on cigarettes—a sound policy that runs amok these days.

Here’s one the board should consider: They should pass a law requiring that sex shops like Romantic Depot carry signs on inflatable dolls: “Warning, this is not a flotation device.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 at 11:33 am by Phil Reisman.
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One Response to “Another Dumb Law”

Ivan November 29th, 2007 at 2:02 am
Hi, my name is disman-kl, i like your site and i ll be back

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