16 Jun Sun 2013
Violation!
The vendors next to me at market were sharing a bit of their own history regarding inspectors. I had just had an unpleasant conversation with a representative from the Dept. of Ag. He pointed out a violation of the laws concerning a product I sell. The product doesn’t contribute much to my profit so I agreed to stop marketing it. What sticks in my craw is the smugness and righteousness the inspector oozed throughout the conversation.
Law oversight must create a mental framework that enables the enforcer to take ridiculous laws and rules and confidently work to enforce them. Like a farmer planting a seed that has been contaminated with GMO material and has not paid for and signed a seed agreement. Or a cancer patient finding a medicinal affect with herbs that are prohibited. The enforcer knows that taking action in these cases observes a law but lacks fairness. The enforcer is doing their JOB. What ethics are we encouraged to support when we think that the job needs to be done and we’ll let the judge decide? A lesson from Thoreau on civil ethics and obedience seems to be called for.
My vendor friends were shut down because their business was atypical in set-up and operation. They complied with all the rules and met the demands of the law only to fall through the efforts of a zealous enforcer. It took months and a lot of aggravation to straighten out the mess. I wonder why we are told our system of rules and regulations protects consumers. It seems to protect those who are the big players with the most money. What is right and what is fair rarely seems to be part of the make-up of what is enforced.
In my encounter with the inspector I could have lied and avoided the “violation”. I could have gone on doing as I had. I find it easiest to deal with the truth so I didn’t lie. Like I wrote, it still sticks in my craw…
Farmer Pete