Rhode Island Senator Susan Sosnowski (D, New Shoreham, South Kingstown) is trying to take the edge off of federal regulation of the farming industry, but she (and all of us) should take it as another lesson:

Two problematic regulations, explained by Sosnowski:

• If an animal walks through a field, or defecates on the land, farmers must document the instance and keep a record of the area for up to two years — to ensure there is no contamination.
• If someone with a cold, or any illness, comes to pick fruit or vegetables, the farmer is to turn them away, for risk of contamination.

If farms do not comply with the new standards they face hefty fines from $2,500 to $18,500 depending on the violation.

Take these examples and imagine similarly intrusive regulations on every industry in our economy.  As I often ask, why do we accept the assertion of government power to this level of involvement in our lives?