Justifying my position

A friend of mine sent me an email over the weekend..."I read that article about Scott Geggatt...It sounds to me like an honest man who is in a financial tight spot, maybe even in danger of losing his house, is going to the Nanny State to ask permission to earn a buck...as a friend, I am asking you to justify your position."

Here's that justification...

Personally, I think we have too many laws, so I don't disagree with my friend's characterization of government as a "Nanny State." Sometimes it seems as though we need to ask permission to do everything but sneeze, and some might argue that even that is not far off.

However, whether we agree or disagree with a particular law, bylaw or regulation, the rules are the rules. Mr. Geggatt was requesting an exception to those rules.

If nothing else, I try to be consistent, and I've previously argued against granting exceptions to the rules. Grant one exception and you open the door to other requests for exceptions, not to mention being painted as hypocritical if you don't accommodate everyone. Indeed, we were informed by our shellfish warden that there were others waiting in the wings, ready with their own requests, were Mr. Geggatt successful in his bid. And can you imagine the legal battle the town might have to fight if we fail to oblige the "corporate policy" of some deep-pocketed, opportunistic business after bowing to the Holiday Inn?

Government must be fair. Granting exceptions to the rules is inherently unfair because exceptions, exemptions, variances and the like allow those in power to give special treatment. As John Adams noted, "Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men."

I empathize with Mr. Geggatt, but had I voted to approve his request, I would have been providing for the profit and private interest of one man, not the common good.