no third solution

Blogging about liberty, anarchy, economics and politics

The Right to Poop

October 3rd, 2007

In Michigan, we’ve all just been subjected to a tremendous tax increase – on many services previously exempted, and an increase in the income tax. The State government threatened us with a shutdown (which some of us could only hope for) as if the motor of the world would simply stop running if nobody manned the toll-booths at the State Parks.

Glad to have all the ass-hat career politicians back, and to see that they’re finally getting down to business setting some things right. Specifically, this bill which would force business to allow certain people to use restrooms designated for “employees only.”

Supporters say the bill would provide comfort and security to people afraid of going shopping because of the sudden need to go to the bathroom.

Of course, it still requires the person to provide a doctor’s note indicative of their “condition” to a perfect stranger. Nothing says “may I use your bathroom?” like “I’m about to shit my pants – doctor’s orders!” If you can’t control where or when you poop, I don’t want you on my property. If there’s a more-than-good chance that you’re going to deliver a baby – I don’t want to be mopping up placenta-noodle soup, either.

But seriously. It doesn’t get any fucking better than this – less than 3 days after we avert the crisis of the millennium, they’re wasting valuable time (on the taxpayer’s dime, I might add) writing laws about who can go to the bathroom and where and under what circumstances – and adding insult to injury of course – with absolutely no regard for the (once) private property of others.

Irate is perhaps not the right word – because this is too trivial to get that upset over. So if there’s another word that describes equal parts of fuming anger, apathy, and milk-blowing-out-one’s-nose-laughter, please let me know.

Michigan’s New Taxes

October 1st, 2007

If you live in Michigan, your state income tax bill just went up about 12%. In order to end the “shutdown,” legislatures voted to raise the income tax from 3.9% to 4.35%.

They also approved a measure which allows them to start arbitrarily taxing certain services. Aside from the obvious culprits (e.g., strong lobbies against the tax by cable carriers and sports teams) there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the program’s carve-outs. For instance:

Cable television will avoid the surcharge, but investment advising will not. Manicures and tanning will be taxed, haircuts will not be. Lift tickets will be taxed, but not greens fees at the local golf club. Keeping your motorcycle in storage for the winter will be taxable, but keeping your boat at the marina for the winter will be tax-free.

Say what you will about the merits and demerits of democracy – but I don’t know a single person who is happy to pay an extra six percent for anything. If this measure had been put to a popular vote, it likely would’ve been close to unanimity, against either the income tax increase, or the new excises.

“Representative,” my ass.

If you don’t have anything to hide…

September 26th, 2007

Michigan’s law which requires those under 21 to submit to a PBT has been struck down as unconstitutional by a federal judge. Sometimes they do get it right. But it doesn’t make whole anyone who was needlessly forced to submit to such a test in the past.

Probably, though, this will just lead to a new era of rubber-stamping search warrants in order to obtain such searches in the future.

no third solution

Blogging about liberty, anarchy, economics and politics