Yesterday I mentioned sort of off-the-cuff those “libertarian types” as a sort of silly way to talk about people who have pretty strong anti-social views. Of course that’s really stretching the libertarian mantra a bit!. . . so. . . let’s do that some more shall we?

I’ve been following along with a discussion recently with some reactions to the death of a kayaker in Lake Superior. In Truth it could have been anywhere. The following posts are always the same. First someone shows up and says, “What an Idiot”. Next someone chides commenter number one and offers condolences to a family that will never actually see those condolences, then goes on to state what they would do. . . . you know the drill. . . but what interested me was the discussion of safety and regulations that were spawned out of one post.

We all know after a tragic accident many people, usually non-kayakers start thinking something should be done. “There should be a rule!” More laws, more oversight, more training. Yeah, I do think they go a bit overboard. (pardon the choice of words) Then others will quickly jump in to say, “Don’t tell me what to do.” Regulations of course are nothing but government interference in our paddling liberty.

On the other hand. . . If we are all responsible paddlers do community regulations or rules, or laws really impose anything on us? It seems they would only effect those who need guidance. Here’s an example. There is a paddling club here in Wisconsin that has always been, well libertarian in it’s organization. So no one took a role to do all those silly things like check for water pumps, proper clothing, flairs and the rest when groups went out. Taking leadership roles in some clubs is a quick way to become unpopular and who wants that?? So no one wanted to step into the mine field. Which of course means that everyone is on the ‘honor’ system for safety. Well that worked out fine until something went south. Suddenly it becomes apparent how one accident or one uneducated or stupid individual can effect the whole group. Things are changing fast with this paddling group these days. Better leadership, better focus, better group education. . It’s all good. Of course there are those who don’t like it. Don’t paddle with the organization then. Ok, that’s their choice.

So I wonder is regulation really bad? Why not have paddlers get ahead of the game and push for regulations that are appropriate before some knee-jerk reaction to some accident? Good regulations would not effect most of us. But every time someone does something foolish we risk paying all sorts of costs as a society. Just imagine the costs behind one rescue or recovery or the loss of a major “bread winner”, or someone without insurance, etc.. . What tab would society pick up in the end for one poorly educated paddler? As much as we want to think so, we do not live in a vacuum.

Now, let me be straight here. I’m not pro-regulation either. But I’ve never heard a convincing argument for anarchy either. Thing is “liberty” is an emotional issue and not always a thought out one. Personally I know in today’s society “freedom, privacy and liberty” are just a veneer. Unless of course you want to live “off the grid” in Montana. Then there is the “it won’t work” argument. Ok, well that does not seem to justify not trying. But maybe regulations or laws won’t work. Do rules work in your club? Maybe, maybe not. Still maybe society should just not interfere. Maybe clubs should not have safety requirements either. I’m not the one who’s going to say either way. But putting emotions aside, I’d love to here arguments against regulation that actually make sense.