By Curmudgeon
Very interesting post over on Voice of Utah blog regarding a pending bill that would ban the state or its cities from providing any services that could be provided by a private company instead. The example VOU uses is closing down municipal senior centers aerobics and exercise classes for seniors because Gold's Gym could offer geriatric exercise classes to its members, even though it doesn't. Here's the opening graph:
You know that County rec facility or senior center where your Grandpa goes to keep his reflexes -- you know, like his driving skills -- sharp? Well, kiss that goodbye if Rep. Craig Frank gets his way. Gramps will have to drive down to a Gold's Gym somewhere and enjoy the shriek of bad '80s music with people half his age if he wants to try to stay healthy. So what if the Gold's doesn't offer senior-only classes? That's a small price to pay to insulate private businesses from competition, apparently.Bye bye Mt. Ogden Golf Course. Bye bye Marshall White Community Center [all of whose services could be provided by private businesses, even though they aren't].
The whole piece is well worth a read.
