Ah yes, an instance where Government tells charity to butt out - Granite Grok

Ah yes, an instance where Government tells charity to butt out

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified."
            – President Barack Obama, Inauguration, 1/20/09

Er, can we get a "No!" on that?   What else can you say when Government decides, in the aftermath of a natural disaster, that a charitable act is an allowable charitable act ONLY after Government gets a cut.  Of money. Or get out of Dodge (maybe):

Mike Haege runs a tree-trimming business. After a tornado, he went out on a mission of charity to help clear away debris from victims’ homes. A city government official told him this was illegal, because he didn’t have the right permit. So he started driving out of town. That’s when the story gets really bad:

The inspector told him to get out of the city, so Haege left with the volunteer. As they were on their way back to the volunteer area, residents waved down Haege, pleading for help. He pulled over and helped get a tree out of the way for them.

Haege had no idea police officers were behind him in a sort of unofficial escort out of town. He said they stopped traffic for about two hours while they figured out what to do with him. At one point, officers threatened to throw him in jail, he said… Last he knew, he was going to receive a citation in the mail for trimming trees without a license in Minneapolis, which he heard was a $400 fine.

So, you have someone with expertise, sufficient to make a living at it, deciding to go help those that are in trouble and do not have his skills or tools. Even with a natural disaster, when you would WANT people to come to the aid of others, it seems that Government rules preclude it.  After all, Government (when not corrupt) is nothing but jots and tiddles, crossed T’s and dotted I’s.  You WILL do it our way – or not at all.

Help a stranger, go to jail.  Such a long time away from the Good Samaritan…

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