Massachusetts town bans bottled water
More nanny state fascism in the name of the environment, this time at a local level:
“We only have one planet and I just don’t want to see it spoiled,” said Jean Hill, who introduced the measure at Concord’s Town Meeting.
And with that Jean Hill managed to get the town of Concord MA to ban the sales of bottled drinking water in 2011. Jean Hill and Concord’s town government have decided their concerns will take the decision out of your hands if you live in that town, after all:
“Water is something we can get from the faucet. You can’t turn your faucet on and get soda,” said Selectwoman Virginia McIntyre, explaining why other plastic bottles would not be banned.
Right – and you are now restricted to water from your faucet there.
As Lisa F., who sent the link in an email, asks:
What if my tap water smells like sulfur?
What about natural disasters when I’m told by the government to stock bottled water?
What about new moms who want to use filtered water for formula?
Well, Lisa, the government monopoly has spoken and it appears its just tough toenails for you and your rights. A legal product has just been arbitrarily banned for use. Grab your reusable container if you want water other than that the government provides.
Of course Concord is a small town among many towns no banning bottled water so I don’t see avoidance of the law as a particularly onerous chore. Instead Concord provides another example of the use of government and law to push a political agenda. Their job should be the provision of essential services and protection while staying out of the business of dictating what citizens can or can’t own, use or do unless those activities violate the rights of others.
Oh, and a final note:
The ban on plastic water bottle sales may be largely symbolic. Town officials aren’t sure they have the power to enact the ban without approval from the state.
Unfortunately, the state is MA.
~McQ