Fellow Mainers: Do You Feel That Maine Is Becoming A "Nanny State?" (Washington: living, law)

[retiredtinbender]

Nanny state laws are set to proptect the lowest, simple minded idiot. The person that drowns from staring up at the rain with his mouth open. We used to have the Darwin principle to lose those folks but now we make laws to preserve them. If you're not smart enuff to look both ways while crossing the street tuff luck. Too bad they can't have their own roads for drunks and idiots so they don't take us out in the process. I'm shutting up...

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by retiredtinbender

Nanny state laws are set to proptect the lowest, simple minded idiot. The person that drowns from staring up at the rain with his mouth open. We used to have the Darwin principle to lose those folks but now we make laws to preserve them. If you're not smart enuff to look both ways while crossing the street tuff luck. Too bad they can't have their own roads for drunks and idiots so they don't take us out in the process. ...

I agree.

My Dw brought home a set of bowls.

These are "Kellogg's" brand cereal bowls for children. To us they are cheap plastic bowls.

They are decorated with 'Frosted Flakes' and Tony the Tiger; or 'Rice Krispies' and that little group of munchkins;

Now these plastic bowls are 7 inches across and 3 inches tall.

And on the bottom of each bowl is a warning sticker:

APPROPRIATE FOR AGES 8+
WARNING!

Always use this product with adult supervision. Before each use inspect the product. Throw away at the first sign of damage or weakness. This product may break if dropped.

WASH THOROUGHLY BEFORE USE
MADE IN CHINA

Since when did it become required to be over 8 years old to 'operate' a cereal bowl?

These are plastic bowls. Adult supervision is required?



I do not think that it is Maine so much as our society as a whole.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

Sorry, but no. The European countries that so many Americans love to deem as socialists are just about as socialists as America was....during the Reagan and Bush years.

I see your point. I lived in Europe during the Reagan years. I have to say that they were far less uptight than Americans seem to be now about "social" issues, and issues of personal choice, etc...

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by corgis

I don't see the Granny laws in Maine that you all have written about on here to be nearly as restrictive as where I am now and that's one of the reasons we'll be living in Maine soon.

We have property tax on everything - vehicles, animals, any and all watercraft, travel trailers, mobile homes, snowblowers, farm equipment including tractors, bulldozers, harvesting equipment, property additions like sheds or generator houses. Our outdoor burning ban is in force for months at a time. There is a total non-smoking ban within 50 feet of any public building including bars, gambling establishments, race tracks, etc. Here you can be fined is your snow is not removed from public sidewalks in front of your property within 4 hours of the end of the snowstorm. Then theres the bans on loud noises after 7PM, barking dogs ban, release of any chemical component into the air, bans on loud or missing mufflers on public streets, jaywalking, bicycling on sidewalks, skate boarding on city streets or sidewalks and it goes on and on.

And don't get me started on the dreaded user fees for the right to work in the cities here, that's a weekly fee for that right.

No, I see Maine's granny laws as far more lenient.

I'm not so sure that some of the things that you've listed are not already laws in Maine (only there's no smoking withing 150 feet of many buildings, hospitals, etc). There is now a ban on smoking in bars (with the exception of private clubs last I knew) We do have many bans such as no "jake brakes" on semi's in certain zones of towns. Does anyone know if they got the ban on loud exhaust put through? I'm not sure, but I know it was discussed. Jaywalking is banned in Bangor I know. At any rate, many you listed sound very familiar although I admittedly don't know for sure.

Does anyone else know of such bans in your towns? I'd say give it time - we're headed the same way, albeit more slowly. IMO until someone challenges them in court, I'm afraid we'll all be "taken to task" for someone else's stupidity.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I agree.

Since when did it become required to be over 8 years old to 'operate' a cereal bowl?

These are plastic bowls. Adult supervision is required?



I do not think that it is Maine so much as our society as a whole.

Sighhhhh...I agree. That "Warning" IMO is dumber than a chunk of mud. It makes me wonder what precipitated that little "gem of wisdom" (although it's probably just a "blanket" statement to absolve liability).

Did some child put it on their head while being a goof, resulting in surgery to remove it?

[BoundtofindME]

There are a few "nanny" laws that I'm happy about where I live. I'm happy there is a ban on smoking inside restaurants and public places because you notice how nice the food and air smells here. Also happy about the dog barking ordinance, because leaving a dog outside all day chained up is cruel. Also happy about the no trash burning without a permit, as I live close to some ruthless people that would burn in a high wind, and a permit will not be issued for a windy day.

On the flip side where we live there is no restriction on having roosters, chickens, pigs or horses or any livestock you can think of on your land. You can have up to 3 "junk" cars on your property without getting fined. You can build any type of building you may want and there are no restrictions on the type of business you can operate on your on property here either, even a topless coffee shop (note: with the exception of anything the State would restrict, i.e. operating a casino.) You can dig for clams here without a license. Go boating, atving, motorcycling without wearing PFDs or helmets if you're an adult. You can even put in your own electric without having to get it inspected--(personal opinion: this is really not a good freedom but we have it in my town.)

So to sum it up, I feel very fortunate to have a happy balance of restrictions/freedoms in my town. Even if it means I don't agree with all of them. It's important to me that where I live will help keep me safe from others yet allow people to express their own individualities while they live their lives. I'm as happy as a clam at high tide

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by BoundtofindME

You can have up to 3 "junk" cars on your property without getting fined. Go boating, atving, motorcycling without wearing PFDs or helmets if you're an adult. I'm as happy as a clam at high tide

I'm coming to your house to ride my ATV and motorcycle! No PFD needed!




I'm not sure about the 3 "junk" cars in the front yard, I think that's about 3 too many. Especially if they're up on blocks and sitting next to the old wringer washing machine. I know it's 'your' property people and you want to be able to do what you want with it, but how about a little respect for your neighbors? Oh, and if I don't like it I don't have to look, right? That's why we have garages, barns and out buildings. To store your junk in or behind.

Just my opinion.....

[BoundtofindME]

Originally Posted by island mermaid

I'm coming to your house to ride my ATV and motorcycle! No PFD needed!

Smartypants

Originally Posted by island mermaid

I'm not sure about the 3 "junk" cars in the front yard, I think that's about 3 too many. Especially if they're up on blocks and sitting next to the old wringer washing machine. I know it's 'your' property people and you want to be able to do what you want with it, but how about a little respect for your neighbors? Oh, and if I don't like it I don't have to look, right? That's why we have garages, barns and out buildings. To store your junk in or behind.

Just my opinion.....

I couldn't agree with you more...

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by BoundtofindME

I'm as happy as a clam at high tide

Then I'd say your living your life "the way it should be" for sure.

Thanks for "opinin'"

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by retiredtinbender

I'm shutting up...

I'll shut up with you...