Garage Sales, Class of 1962, and A Few Thoughts\nby Barry Bauer
\nTo fully understand what’s wrong with the economy of this nation one only has to look at our city and other cities who feel the need to regulate the number of garage sales a person can have of all things. Maybe it’s considered a nuisance because one or two people have complained, “There’s a traffic problem outside my house.” It’s funny because a lot of people sure enjoy this particular nuisance.
\nThe same thing has happened with burning raked up leaves piles in the fall which caused a few to complain, “The smoke is bothering me, I have allergies,” and of course their complaints were listened to by those in power. Thankfully the attempt to ban family campfires was voted down but we don’t know where that ends.
\nI’ll bet the neighborhood Mom & Pop stores that used to dot the community back in the forties and fifties would also be banned today because of the traffic problem. “There are all those cars out in the street in front of my house,” people would have probably complained. Eventually those stores disappeared. Somewhat because of the economy and somewhat because of regulations.
\nThese people (complainers) have now gone after the people who smoke tobacco products in public when most of us remember when it was an acceptable and an expected habit. And also they’re going after obese people and users of medicinal marijuana.
\nThey’ve forgotten that Prohibition only increased the sale of alcohol with no liquor tax going to the government.
\nThe government finally said, “Oops.”
\nOur problem in this country is that we are no longer tolerant of our fellow human beings. I’m not saying being tolerant is easy, but it’s something we should be doing more of as the population of this World keeps growing. If it’s your intentions to correct everybody’s habits, lots of luck and hopefully they don’t turn on you.
\nFor all governments big and small . . . get off the backs of the American people, you’re choking us to death. They should remember, the hands around our throats could someday become the hands around their throats.<\/p>\n