What has the world come to when government interference in the most simple of things, childrens games, creeps into society and starts trying to dictate what games are safe, and what games are not? Is it the role of government to constantly micromanage the everyday lives of the citizens of this country, and their children, or should government be focused on the more important things? Things such as, oh I don't know, wars, the economy, jobs, the high cost of gas and oil? Yes, courtesy of our system of government, the above mentioned issues have taken a back seat, at least in New York state, to more pressing issues: Protecting our children from the dastardly effects of playing kickball, or it's equally violent cousin, Wiffleball. No need to re-read that, you read it right the first time. New York wants to regulate these "violent" games so that more kids don't get hurt. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/04/19/new-york-state-health-officials-d... Huh? I didn't know that hospitals around the nation were dealing with this epidemic of injuries caused by a rubber kickball or a plastic fake baseball. On the one hand, people complain about our fat society, how kids are lazy, just texting or playing video games all day. On the other hand, some will condemn anything. One would think that New York would want to commend the summer camps that are the target of their ire, but, instead, let's force these camps to raise the costs of campers so that they can't afford to go, and can instead stay home. And play video games. When politicians of any persuasion get involved in issues such as these, you quickly realize where their priorities are. We know that your 99 weeks of unemployment is running, out, and that you might lose your house, but buddy, your kid could get hit in the head by a plastic ball! It's all about the kids after all. Masachusetts is just as crazy. In the 6th Worcester District, we recently had a special election for State Representative. One of the candidates, who lost, was Joanne Powell. She ran as a challenger to the incumbent, Rep. Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton), as the "jobs candidate". Joanne for jobs was her slogan, and ironically, she's now looking for one. Her downfall was that like Dorothy on The Wizard of Oz, she apparently felt that clicking her heels three times while turning around and saying "jobs" three times would magically create jobs. It doesn't but this is the sort of children's game that should be banned instead of kickball. She also was introduced at her defeat party by Jenny Caisse, Republican. Does anybody smell a rat? The Republican challenger, Peter Durant (R-Spencer) was no better. His Tea Party supporters paid for a sign in a heavily Hispanic part of town, inferring that you need to show ID to vote. You don't, but this backwards method of trying to supress the vote backfired. Powell lost her race, and Durant lost any remaining respect and credibility. These types of childrens games are far worse and damaging than any kid's game. Rather than focus on what's causing real harm in society, politicians that will do or say anything to be elected, we instead focus on protecting children from playing games. If it's really about the kids, regulate the politicians, and teach the kids a REAL lesson!
Comments