A special Interest story recently reported that a Balloon intentionally released in Michigan had landed in Bedford New Hampshire. If we ignore the warm and fuzzy Bedford Boy Scout Troop members (who found the balloon) meet Michigan Girl Scout Troop (that released it), and jump in our way-back machine to New Hampshire circa 2007/2008, had HB 62 become law, someone in Michigan would owe the State of New Hampshire a $250.00 fine for littering.
By a vote of 215-111 the then Democrat Majority NH House decided that a released balloon was no different than littering and should be subject to a $250.00 fine. Thirty-Five Republicans joined180 Democrats to pass this bill, which thankfully dies in the Senate–after a significant amount of public ridicule. (Only 14 Democrats voted against it.)
This is, of course academic. No one would have fined a Michigan Girl Scout Troop, nor probably anyone else. But it is the very nature of the vote that defines the basis by which a Democrat majority abuses government power. Thinking it is harmless is no excuse. The very accumulation of seemingly pointless statutes builds up an unaccountable bureaucracy that can act at its convenience upon any law to suit its own agenda. It is this soft tyranny that leads to the real sort and the decline of liberty. The support of such legislation serves as a warning to the character of those in power. People who cannot be trusted as proper stewards of your unalienable rights.
