The reach of the Federal Government - where does it stop?

I will blog soon about the impending DOOM of the mis-named, pork filled, Liberal Socialist's wet dream known as the Stimulus Bill. But for today, I want to dwell on just one more example of the WAY overreaching Federal government.

Today's example involves the endless regulatory appetite of the Fed. They exert their power over us in almost unimaginable ways. Taken from a news story. Headline - Nearly 100 children killed in 2007 due to backovers. This means that they were run over in the driveway by (probably) their parents.

Now, lest you think me heartless - this is, indeed, a tragic thing. My heart goes out to the families - and especially the poor person who actually did the running over.

Having said that, what does the rest of the story say? The the Senate was proposing a bill to require more mirrors, or sensors, or backup cameras to combat this problem. Now, it is not that I don't want fewer dead kids - but seriously. A federal law mandating even MORE safety equipment. In case no one noticed, the car companies are practically bankrupt now. Adding more regs to them does not seem to be helping. How about a public-service announcement instead? We could get all of the idiot Hollywood types to do a remake of that vapid, sacchirine, meaningless I Pledge video. I pledge to smile more? Good Grief. (Just curious, where the hell were the pledgers the last 8 years?)



They could make a video 'I pledge to check behind my car so as not to back over my adopted Ethiopian child with AIDS.' Heart rending, don't you think?

I looked up some other 'common' causes of death here. Not that I think 100 out of a population of 300+ million can be characterized as 'common'.

-Fall involving bed, chair, other furniture           650 deaths
  Solution - Federally mandated bed safety chains
-Fall from out of or through building or structure    506
  Solution - Federal ban on windows on buildings 
-Drowning in bath-tub                                 341
  Solution - Ban on bathtubs (or limit to 1 inch water)
-Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed      327
  Oops - that cancels the safety bed-chain idea. Damn
-Ignition or melting of clothing and apparel           99
  Solution - ok, I bet you guess that one!

These all kill at least as many people than the backover problem. And the solutions suggested are clearly ridiculous. But this is how the legislature is thinking - 'See a problem - write a law'. Like I said, do an advertising campaign if you are really concerned. You cannot legislate away every threat to every person.

Remember folks - this is the government trying to reach out and control EVERYTHING around you... Make a fuss - do not go quietly into the dark night.