Cucumbers and Ice Rinks

EU and Cucumbers
I was writing yesterday about the EU and the regulations on cucumbers.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-regulations-to-keep-cucumbers-straight-are-declared-null-and-void-606625.html Sometimes it hard to keep a straight face with these people. There must be a gene for meddling and it would have to be linked with arrogance.
There is a wonderful story--I believe an urban legend--about the town council that is asked to solve the beetle infestation in the local lake. After a long investigation and debate, they decide to import frogs to eat the beetles. A year later the locals complain about the frogs being everywhere and, after the appropriate investigations, the council brings in snakes to eat the frogs. The next year the town is overrun with snakes and the council starts to discuss alligators.These people tinker with everything without any concern over the fallout because they are so certain, so confident. They remind you of a church council from the middle ages; ordained, superior and self-righteous. And beyond simple mortal criticism.
The wonderful analogy with a skating rink should never be forgotten. Imagine going to a government bureaucrat and telling him you want to open a skating rink where people of all ages and skills will maneuver about an ice surface on razor-sharp blades. The government would go nuts. You would have a host of crippling rules, regulations and, likely, a supervisor barking crazy orders to the participants. It would never work. These regulators are silly; the problem is that when we need them, they don't do their job at all. Particularly if the problem is dynamic. They are great at regulating vegetables and toilet sizes; it's more difficult when it comes to active people, the economy and criminals. We don't need their help with toilets and cucumbers; we've got their help in spades. We do need their help in monitoring leverage, private and public debt and deficit spending; nothing.