Posted on 01/08/2018 1:24:03 PM PST by Liberty7732
Most Americans were probably drop-jawed to learn there was a state in the union where government overseers prohibited the people from pumping their own gas. The ultra-progressive and ever-controlling Oregon Legislature had banned this otherwise normal behavior for more than 50 years, ostensibly to provide some form of protection for its residents.
This is the practical reality of the general principle that government coddling creates entitlement, pampered residents with fewer freedoms, and reduced abilities to live independently. Oregon has been telling its residents for generations they are incapable of pumping their own gas, and now there are generations of Oregonians who are terrified at the prospect of doing what more than 300 million other Americans do without a thought.
The first thing that comes to mind are the scenes from the animated Pixar movie Wall-E, where the remainder of earth’s population cruise the galaxy on the spaceship Axiom. The passengers are so dependent on the automated ship that they have become obese, too feeble to walk and incapable of caring for themselves. They definitely would not have been able to pump their own gas.
But now the Oregon Legislature moved partially into the 1980s when it recently passed a law allowing rural gas stations to let people pump their own gas. Portlandians are still safe from the ordeal; government continues to protect them from gas pump handles. But others in the supposed rugged rural areas are outraged at the change (because outrage comes easily these days.)
Take a look at some of these Facebook comments from Oregonians in response to the legislature catching up to 1980 America:
“I don’t even know HOW to pump gas and I am 62, native Oregonian … I say NO THANKS! I don’t like to smell like gasoline!” one woman commented.
“No! Disabled, seniors, people with young children in the car need help,” another woman wrote. “Not to mention getting out of your car with transients around and not feeling safe too. This is a very bad idea. Grr.”
“I’ve lived in this state my whole life and I refuse to pump my own gas. This is a service only qualified people should perform. I will literally park at the pump and wait until someone pumps my gas.”
This is really a thing in Oregon. Most of the rest of the country may laugh and mock them (except big-government nanny state New Jersey, the only remaining state with such a law) but people long relying on government-forced service don’t like losing that service. They believe they have an entitlement.
“I think that we are getting tarnished in social media,” Lizzy Acker, a reporter for The Oregonian, told NPR. Well, yes. There’s sort of a reason for that. But Acker is confident in Oregonians ability to actually pump their own gas. “And I think most Oregonians are self-sufficient enough to figure out how to pump their own gas.”
Just read that statement. There may not be a better example of how progressivism breeds dependency on government — more and more power for government over weaker and weaker people. Not surprisingly — to people who understand how capitalism works — Oregon is one of the most expensive states in the union for a gallon of gas.
Oregon’s 56-year gas-pumping law is a cautionary example of how more government regulation and control immediately limits freedoms and breeds dependence and entitlement.
Perhaps one day, all Americans will be free to pump their own gas. But only if they choose leaders with a vision for freedom over governmental dominion.
I hate traffic circles.
But I think that’s kind of new in NJ. I’ve known about the gas and the turns for 25 years.
It’s definitely the new rage in MD, damn circles. Hate, hate hate them.
We went to Oregon for the first time last summer and I was very surprised when the attendant came over and tome I couldn’t pump my own gas.
That was probably me.
Nah. I'm sure they occupy their time frantically honking their horn in a maniacal panic.
Jobs are easy to create, if you do not worry about them being productive.
Have a gang of a thousand workers dig ditches, then another gang of 500, fill them in. (It is easier to fill in ditches than to dig them.
Or, outlaw the use of tractors for harvesting grain. Millions of jobs at harvest time. You could follow the Chinese example, and empty the factories, schools, and universities to harvest at harvest time.
Creating jobs that are productive, that is the difficult task that capitalists do.
“I see an opportunity to make some money! Enterprising folks could charge these dolts a few bucks to pump their gas for them.”
yeah. ex-squeegee guys and illegal aliens could hang around gas station entrances holding homemade signs that say “Will Pump Gas For $3.00!”
lol, I absolutely did not know that ANY state had such a law.............
In Texas, this whole discussion is laughable!
Gawd help them if they ever have to change their own turn signal fluid.
In TX, you not only have to pump your own gas, you have to refine it first, and out in the boonies you’re expected to run your own well to pull up the oil.
Here’s why full service went away, because after the 50s it rapidly degraded until the 70s and 80s, this is what you got:
“The attendant speedily scratched the hell out of the windshield, put in the wrong fluids, lowered the tire pressure, and spilled gasoline all over the side of the car all while charging a premium price for it.”
Damn straight.
NJ actually has been trying to get rid of many traffic circles. But other localities are trying them out as a ‘traffic calming’ device. I guess Jersey’s experiences with them weren’t lesson enough.
“I wonder what Portlandians do when (if?) they drive out of their state and pull in to a gas station for gas? Just sit there at the pump waiting for service?”
would be an awesome bit for Portlandia: Peter and Nance driving to LA - pull up at the pump in California - no one comes out to pump their gas - they engage in neurotic fretting about what to do, including inability to pump their own gas - show cuts to and from their waiting and fretting multiple times during the half hour show - goes from sunny to sundown - they never do get any gas ...
Hate to tell you, but, uh, you’re one of *those* people. :P
In short, decline in customer service.
“I think that we are getting tarnished in social media,” Lizzy Acker, a reporter for The Oregonian, told NPR. Well, yes. There’s sort of a reason for that. But Acker is confident in Oregonians ability to actually pump their own gas. “And I think most Oregonians are self-sufficient enough to figure out how to pump their own gas.” Just read that statement. There may not be a better example of how progressivism breeds dependency on government — more and more power for government over weaker and weaker people. Not surprisingly — to people who understand how capitalism works — Oregon is one of the most expensive states in the union for a gallon of gas. Oregon’s 56-year gas-pumping law is a cautionary example of how more government regulation and control immediately limits freedoms and breeds dependence and entitlement.
True! I went to work in my brother’s gas station when I was in 8th grade. Had to wash windshield, check oil, tire pressure...people were amazed because I was a...GIRL. lol
From my cold, gasoline smelling hands......................
I thought it was a joke, ala The Onion, at first. then I realized IT’s FOR REAL!.............
No argument there, but the point is that full service was crap for far longer than it was good after WW2.
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