Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Aren't there some good reasons for most of these regulations? If we became unregulated, like China, wouldn't we end up with the same type of unsafe products that we get from China?

Sure. There are good reasons to do this stuff. I would suggest however that in an information heavy society like ours, it is just as effective to expose Mattel for ineffective quality control. They cannot afford to lose their positive brand recognition.

As far as zoning regs go, if someone is engaged in activities that poison the air or water of their neighbor, they should be prosecuted for that trespass. If someone lives in a leaky yurt or a small house that is noones business but their own.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Griff

...As far as zoning regs go, if someone is engaged in activities that poison the air or water of their neighbor, they should be prosecuted for that trespass...

Prosecuting after the fact might be too late, if the water table is contaminated, for instance. Better to be pro-active.

IMHO, there's a lot of gray area between obviously reasonable laws and obviously unreasonable laws. In fact, there's a lot of difference of opinion about what is reasonable and unreasonable. Most people probably feel that there should be no restrictions on themselves, because they will make "the right" decisions. Yet these same people probably want restrictions that protect them from other folks making "the wrong" decision. Where the line is drawn is the debate.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Griff

As far as zoning regs go, if someone is engaged in activities that poison the air or water of their neighbor, they should be prosecuted for that trespass. If someone lives in a leaky yurt or a small house that is noones business but their own.

You're right, of course, but what about the gray area in between your two extremes? Do you have any problem with regs that cover safety? Like wiring regs or baluster spacing? How about standards of building, like ceiling height or space around a toilet?