The North Dakota Senate today, despite having already passed a bill to expand the dates during which fireworks in general can be sold, voted down a bill to lift a ban on the sale of bottle rockets specifically. Here’s the nauseatingly paternalistic floor debate: “This isn’t about freedom,” Senator Dave Oehlke said. “This is about…
House Votes To Defund NDSU/Planned Parenthood Partnership
North Dakota State University set off a controversy when, thumbing its collective nose at the legislature, they partnered with abortion industry giant Planned Parenthood for sex education research. Legislators objected to NDSU use of funds to partner with Planned Parenthood, but Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem sided with NDSU. In amending SB2368 (another anti-abortion bill introduced…
Mayor Bloomberg: It's The Government's Job To Inform People About The Choices They're Making
Appearing on Letterman’s show, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg defend his ban on large-sized sugary drinks (recently struck down by the courts) by suggesting that it’s the government’s job to inform people as the consequences of the choices they’re making: The problem with Bloomberg’s argument is that when you ban something you’re not informing their…
Nanny Statism Versus Artistic Freedom
In Minnesota there is a statewide smoking ban, but that ban contains an exemption for theatrical productions. If you’re in a play or some other sort of performance you’re allowed to smoke on stage. But now the nanny statists, whose appetite for the eradication of habits they dislike seems unquenchable, want to close that loophole…
Guest Post: To Set Something Aside, No More Honey Boo Boo
According to the consumer research firm Yankelovich, if you live in an American city today, you see at least 5,000 advertising messages every day. Forget television, radio and billboards. In the digital era, we now see ads at the gym, on displays at the grocery store — even in your doctor’s waiting room. No wonder…
Shocker: New "Right To Work" State Already Attracting New Business
Back on February 2nd, USA Today reported that Indiana had become the “rust belt’s” first right-to-work state, easing laws requiring mandatory union enrollment. The state Senate voted 28-22 to pass the labor union bill as thousands of protesters packed Statehouse hallways, shouting their disapproval. Thousands more were outside waiting to get in. Gov. Mitch Daniels…
Guest Post: Give State Employees A Choice On Pensions
HB 1452 was originally introduced and ultimately amended with a Do Pass recommendation out of committee and received a similar Do Pass on the floor of the House late last week. The bill provides the option for newly hired state employees to direct the state as to into which retirement plan they would prefer to…
Dorso Column: The Media And The University System
In my last column I accuse newspapers and faculties of protecting their self interests when it comes to reform of the higher education system. I don’t think I need to go in to detail as to why faculties react the way they do. If your job might be at risk you would maybe react the…
Conservatism Vs. Libertarianism
This debate between Ann Coulter, an outspoken conservative, and John Stossel, an outspoken libertarian, is interesting because it’s a proxy for the rift in the Republican party today. I don’t like Ann Coulter, because it seems she can’t discuss issues without being combative in a way that undermines her credibility, but as someone who lists…
House Defeats Seat Belt Bill
The ND House of Representatives defeated HB 1335 in floor session today by a vote of 40 to 52. If passed, this law would have made the failure to wear a seat belt by any front seat passenger a primary offense. I don’t think anyone can reasonably say not wearing a seat belt is a…