Da Techguy's (no longer backup) Blog

I live in a medium sized town in Massachusetts.  In my town there is lake with a rather famous name, a name that is found in the Guinness Book of Records.  This lake is now rather infamous amongst us locals because of the way it is managed by the town government. Residents constantly complain that a day spent there is no where as much fun as it used to be.  I completely agree with them.  Every bit of fun you could have at this picturesque lake has been banned.

When I was young you could swim anywhere you wished.   If you chose to swim outside of the area guarded by lifeguards it was swim at your own risk.  About a decade ago the town government outlawed all swimming outside of the roped in area, you could only wade everywhere else.  This was done for our safety.  I have no memory of anyone drowning back when we were allowed to swim where ever we wished but the nanny state knows best.  Only big government can decide what is acceptable risk for each and every individual.   We are all too stupid.

Today even walking in ankle deep water outside of the roped off area is verboten.  If you dare to engage in this outrageously risky behavior the lifeguards scold you and demand you return to your proper place.  Forget about playing catch with a nerf football or floating peacefully on an air mattress.

After a few individuals left a mess and dumped hot coals into the wrong trash barrels no one can grill at the town beach.  A much more just system would be to punish the guilty and let the rest enjoy themselves.  That ain’t how big government operates.

I would love to sit back at the lake, relax, and enjoy one of my homebrewed beers.  Just because a small percentage of individuals would drink themselved into the state of intoxication, no one is allowed to consume any adult beverages at the lake.

The town government robbed everyone at the lake of the freedom to enjoy themselves. This was done slowly, incrementally, over time.  It happened so slowly that few noticed, and fewer spoke up against it.  That is just how freedom most often dies.