Small government
There’s a law in Tennessee that says a barber shop can’t have a fish tank. So, the legislature is looking at getting rid of that law. Some are poking fun. Being that I am a small government sort, I’m glad they’re doing this instead of something. You see, we have a lot of laws that are stupid and/or unnecessary and I think we should encourage them weed those laws out. Even if it sounds silly.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:40 am
I recall reading about a law against spitting on the sidewalk, in context of stupid laws, and then being told by my high school biology teacher that tuberculosis used to be a disease of epidemic proportions, with people who publicly hacked up their contagious phlegm put into sanitariums for the public safety.
Sometimes the reason for a sensible law goes away, and is forgotten. Turtles in aquariums I can understand being against the law, but fish? There must be some explanation, lost to time.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Every law should be required to have a sunset provision, even the law against murder. Keep the various legislatures and Congress so busy reviewing old laws that they can’t pass many new ones.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Gail Kerr spent more time researching and writing that article than the legislature will spend debating and voting on it.
45 minutes–including subcommittees. Tops.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I’m originally from New Jersey (thank you all for your sympathy, but since I now live in Texas I don’t need it any more). Anyhow, there’s a law on their books that makes slurping your soup illegal. I cannot think of a single reason why there should be a law against that; it may be a bit rude (or fun, depending on how easily someone near you gets ticked off at little things), but a LAW. Puhleeze.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
I wonder if this law came from a time when physicians were trying to distance themselves from their barber roots (and competition).
Perhaps the “no fish tank” rule made it harder for them to keep leeches.
February 26th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
In Texas, it is a felony to possess more than 5 dildos.
Felony- as in, you can no longer vote or own guns. % sex toys- OK. 6, lose your rights. For life.
February 27th, 2010 at 12:12 am
I’m hard pressed to think of a better use of time by a legislature: removing stupid laws, and simplifying the laws we live under. Not only are they not growing government when doing so, they are also increasing freedom. A win-win.