Florida State Representative Ritch Workman has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would legalize dwarf tossing. Dwarf tossing is an activity where bar patrons compete to see who can toss a dwarf the farthest. Even though the sport, if you can call it that, is considered offensive by many, it is not considered so by all.
Workman is on a quest to "seek and destroy unnecessary burdens on the freedom and liberties of people." The ban on dwarf tossing in Workman's eyes impinges on the freedom of bars to hold contests, the freedom of bar patrons to watch those contests, and the little people who seek to participate in those contests. Moreover, Workman contends that the ban on dwarf tossing is archaic and just another example of "Big Brother government". In the battle over the ever increasing presence of the government in our daily lives, a line has been drawn. Workman also contends that to ban dwarf tossing would be an unnecessary hindrance to the local economy. In addition to those bar owners who welcome dwarf tossing competitions as a way to draw customers, at least some in the small person community welcome the bill for the employment opportunities it offers. Workman stated that the effect of the current ban is to "simply take away some employment from some little people."
The economy has become the paramount issue in U.S. politics. People need jobs. The nation and the economy need people with jobs. The government needs people with jobs. To be elected, politicians need to be perceived as capable of creating jobs. To be reelected, politicians need to be perceived as having created jobs. Things are becoming grim. Florida does not have hundreds of billions of dollars to throw at the issue. Like many states, it is strapped for cash. Because of this, Florida cannot simply spend money to keep people busy. It must take another approach. It is trying to stimulate its economy by, as conservatives like to say, getting government out of the way.
The economy in Florida as elsewhere is moribund. The more dire things become the more willing people and their legislators are to set aside their sensibilities and consider sources of revenue that would not have been entertained before. Dwarf tossing is a case in point. Some states have taken to charging inmates for room and board. Still other states have taken to gambling. Humans are an ingenious species. Many of them are hard at work looking for new sources of revenue. Decency, self respect, and propriety are falling prey to the ever growing need for money.
This will only get worse so long as people rely on government spending for their well being. There are those who welcome the increasing dependency of the public upon government. Such dependency serves to further ensconce government at the very center of American society. This might not be so bad, or perhaps as bad, if the government could afford to do all those things it has taken upon itself to do for us and do them well, but it can't. And so, as government tallies its expenses and income it almost inevitably concludes that when they do not match, revenue must be increased. But the traditional methods of raising income through taxes and fees are becoming increasingly perilous to politicians. Other methods must be found. It is that search for additional revenue that sometimes leads government to the point of absurdity.
Tradition and moral sensibilities are fine things, but they are no match for an avaricious government or a demanding public. As for the freedom and liberty to enjoy or participate in the spectacle of dwarf tossing, that is entirely relative to the need for revenue. In the quest for money and social progress, decency and decorum are too often seen today as unnecessary burdens to the freedom and liberties of people, as well as obstacles to economic progress. Humans have always been prey to their baser instincts. Rather than seek to discourage those instincts, the government has decided to make money off them instead. Why shouldn't it? When it comes down to it, the economy is the only thing that matters.
We are told that a ban on dwarf tossing impinges on the freedom of bar patrons to enjoy a spectacle. Worse, it is a hindrance to the local economy and hampers the employment opportunities of little people. What more reason do we need?
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