Stupid laws

According to an article by Radley Balko, two British students are planning a visit to America to engage in a cross-country crime spree. Don't worry, no violent crime will be committed because these guys are out to break laws like these:

-In California, it is illegal to ride a bike underwater.
-In North Dakota, it is illegal to take a nap in a cheese factory.
-In Indiana it is illegal to force a monkey to smoke a cigarette.

Laws like these have been on the books for many years and they are rarely enforced because people with any shred of common sense refrain from these sorts of activities! There is no need for these laws.

Now, you would think that the passing of stupid, invasive laws would have stopped years ago since lawmakers have better things to do, right? Unfortunately, our lawmakers are still wasting taxpayer money by spending their time passing laws that benefit nobody, except maybe the "squeaky wheels" of society. Since January of 2005, lawmakers have spent their time crafting the following laws:

-West Hollywood, California has banned cosmetic surgery for pets, including cat declawing.
We once owned a wonderful cat who developed the skill of climbing to the top of door-jambs and curtains. As soon as we had the money, we had her declawed. This was the only way we could keep her, the other alternative was the pound.

-The Montana legislature is considering banning the use of aluminum bats at baseball games.
Seems to me that parents, coaches and adult players are qualified to make health and safety decisions about the use of aluminum versus wood. If, as a parent, I felt that aluminum was a hazard, I would go to Walmart and buy my kid a wooden bat. Problem solved.

-In Virginia, Algie Howell tried to pass a law to outlaw the wearing of ultra-low pants.
Appropriate attire for children is a parent's job. Enough said.

-San Fransisco, California, recently passed a new housing code-for doghouses!
I think a large number of dogs will be left out in the cold.

A quote from the original article sums this up: "We ought to tell our legislators to stop using the criminal code, tax code and regulatory state to do what our churches, schools, friends, family, and communities should be doing. The rule of law exists to protect us from those who would do us physical harm or do harm to our property. A free society has no place for laws that make our decisions for us, interfere in our relationships and private transactions, or protect us from ourselves." -Radley Balko