At Last! Some Good News Out of Washington!

From The Wall Street Journal today:

As U.S. Economic Problems Loom

House, Senate Sweat the Small Stuff

Members of Congress Love a Good Resolution;  Watermelons and Undertakers Fit the Bill

By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON August 19, 2008; Page A1

WASHINGTON — The 110th Congress, whose term officially ends in January, hasn’t passed any spending bills or attacked high gasoline prices. But it has used its powers to celebrate watermelons and to decree the origins of the word “baseball.” Rest of the article here:

One topic that will almost always be good for some humor is the government.

Here’s how to use today’s news:

“I’m from the government, I’m here to help.”  The gist of the article is that this congress has passed fewer laws, but more resolutions than any previous group. Thank heavens! The last thing we want Washington to do is to try and “help” us by passing another law. This is universal because almost everyone has come across, or run afoul of government “help.”  Another article from the Dallas Morning News concerns a man battling his homeowner’s association because the bylaws prohibit him from parking his brand new pick-up truck in his driveway. Evidently a 1968 Pinto or a 1980 Yugo would be OK according to the by-laws.

My dad prepares tax returns and told me if you look deep within the tax code you’ll find that, although a rule appears to be written in a universal manner, after research it may only apply to a particular corporation in a particular place at a particular time. And a lot of laws are created that way as well.

A source for research is DumbLaws, where you will find that in Alabama, “It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.” or in Minnesota, “Citizens may not enter Wisconsin with a chicken on their head.” or in Texas, “When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone.” Hmmmm, no wonder I sit and wait for so long at railroad crossings.

Comments are appreciated. More later.