The federal government was originally set up the very same way.

When the Articles of Confederation and eventually the Constitution were written, it spelled out a clearly defined framework in which government is to operate within and not deviate from.

Take the example of what the ATF is doing in the Southwestern US regarding firearm purchases for the latest deviation.

One can easily argue that this is clearly not only a violation of a number of enumerated powers within our Constitution, but our rights enumerated under the Second Amendment and also the Fourth Amendment as well. Interesting premise given that the federal government has caused the very same problem they are purporting to remedy.

With a few exceptions, Michigan Government is set up in a similar manner.

Here in Michigan for example, the equivalent of our Fourth Amendment rights are spelled out in the Michigan Constitution under Article 1 § 11 : Searches and seizures.

Sec. 11. The person, houses, papers and possessions of every person shall be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures. No warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to bar from evidence in any criminal proceeding any narcotic drug, firearm, bomb, explosive or any other dangerous weapon, seized by a peace officer outside the curtilage of any dwelling house in this state.

Apparently, the Michigan Constitution is no longer included in the orientation packets given to new state senators (or even the governor), as clearly demonstrated by the most recent action this week.

As mentioned here earlier by Jason, SB-333 introduced back in April by State Senator John Proos, was signed into law by Gov Snyder this week requiring that anyone purchasing OTC cold/allergy medicine MUST produce their ID prior to purchase for a MANDATORY check with a federal database before being allowed to make that purchase. A limited exemption is allowed if the seller felt that the purchaser was in "imminent bodily harm". The cost for implementing this system will be borne by the manufacturers of those OTC medicines.

An interesting fact: I was reminded a while back that businesses don't pay the actually the costs associated with things like this. They are actually passed along to the customer in the form of higher prices for that product. This is actually another hidden "tax" by Republicans.

So not only do we have to get permission from those working for us before we can purchase a legal product that is used by the overwhelming majority for its stated purpose, but we get to pay for that privilege, too!

I don't know about the rest of you True Believers out there, but this is really, really beginning to get annoying.

I'm not sure if it's because of the carefully selected focus groups that mold the direction that their votes will take in anticipation of the next election cycle or if they just feel that we're just plain stupid?

I cannot say this any more simply: Bills like this are unnecessary.

The overwhelming majority of people who use OTC medicine use it for the purpose clearly stated on the box. An article in the LA Times stated that demand for the drug Meth had leveled off back in the 90's. So why is that a justification for the infringement of our rights?

Another problem with those supporting this law is that they have an abysmal grasp of history.

Much like the failed experiment with prohibition back in the 20's, making something harder to obtain, instead of focusing on how a product is used, only opens up new opportunities for to criminals to get rich. Making something scarce has a tendency of doing that. Just ask The Purple Gang how things worked out for them after the Volstead Act was passed. So like it or not, Sen. Proos, all of those "yes" votes and Gov. Snyder, you have just made the traffickers that much more richer because of your actions. Way to go.

Just so we're clear. I'm not advocating that anyone go out to the corner drug and hardware stores, get what they need to cook up a batch and get themselves high (or blow up their house) in the process before Monday.

If someone feels that they need to use that to get a handle their life, they need to get some serious help right away to address their addiction.

What won't work is when elected officials decide that taking away our rights incrementally, wiping their backsides and flushing them down the toilet is a more effective solution to the problem.

That's been tried before and has failed miserably.

It's time for a new approach.

I hear that "limited government" thing has shown some potential before.