Friday, December 12, 2008

A Classic Case


Bedbugs. Yes, the thought of bedbugs makes one's skin crawl. Actually, not only the thought, but the actual little buggers themselves. So we all can agree that bedbugs are icky. I've never had them, so I don't know what it's like, but I do know that GOVERNMENT should NOT be in the business of thinking or doing ANYTHING about bedbugs.

Why do I bring up government? Well, I live in the great state of New Jersey and here, government sticks its nose in pretty much everything. Case in point: Bedbugs.

Two members of the New Jersey General Assembly have taken the time to research and write a piece of legislation, confer with their Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee colleagues and convince them to vote 5-0 to push a bill that would punish landlords if there is an outbreak of bedbugs in a multi-unit dwelling anywhere in the state.

Yes, we are in the midst of a financial crisis. Yes, we are one of the highest taxed states in the nation. Yes, people are leaving the state in droves. Yes, yes, yes. New Jersey is a mess.

But what do Assemblywoman Joan Quigley and Assemblyman Harvey Smith (both from Hudson County) feel is the biggest issue facing the state and its taxpayers? Say it with me: Bedbugs.

Now landlords will have to make sure there are no bedbugs in their units. If they slip up and someone starts scratching, they'll have to fork over $300 per apartment or $1000 per common area. I thought the security screens that State Senator Ron Rice mandated for high-rise apartments was the worst piece of legislation they could come up with.

I was wrong.

This is just another classic case of government run amok. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. We can't talk on cell phones and drive, everyone has to wear a helmet when riding a bike at a blistering 5 miles per hour, they are looking to ban smoking EVERYWHERE, including your car and home, good old fashioned Jersey road rage is frowned upon and heaven forbid if you decide to open a business in this state, you may as well just send your right arm and right leg to Trenton.

When will it all end? Unfortunately, it won't. The citizens of New Jersey have become too comfortable with this style of governance. If you take away those "protections", then people will be exposed to the rough elements of life and be expected to take care of themselves. Government can't have that. Where would their power come from then?