It's Washington

     We are staying in Gig Harbor which is, of course, in Washington state. Washington is already known as a "nanny state", one that assumes its residents are too inept to look out for themselves, so it has many laws that are considered unnecessary in more "ept" environments. One of the things I discovered I am protected from in Washington, is benefiting from my Kroger prescription plan. Even though there are many Fred Meyer pharmacies here, and Fred Meyer is clearly Kroger, they are not allowed to give the Kroger prescription discount, although they can give a Good Rx rate. The pharmacist's explanation--It's Washington. Meaning--don't expect logic. So I paid more for a one month supply of medication than I would for a three month supply at home. The main reason I use Smith's Pharmacy in Kalispell is that I can fill prescriptions at any Kroger pharmacy when we travel. Why Washington feels the need to protect its people from less expensive prescriptions most likely has a monetary, not medical, motivation.
     When a tourist runs into one of the nonsensical regulations, the resident's standard explanation is--it's Washington. At least they allow you to pump your own gas here. Oregon assumes its inhabitants are incapable of such a complex activity. Last night, we found out you are not allowed to take a glass container outside a building because--it's Washington. In Port Orchard, where we used to stay, the long arm of the state is not considered sufficient to protect pedestrians. At the main street crossings, you are expected to take a flag from the stands by the traffic signals and hold it as you cross the street. Apparently the laws about pedestrians having absolute right of way and the flashing lights to warn motorists are insufficient. You need to carry a flag. I was always tempted to march across the street performing a drill routine like the Sparkettes did in my high school, but I'd rather take my chances against a car than die of embarrassment holding a flag.
     One of the problems with a nanny state, is that lulling a populace into accepting illogical laws gives lobbyists more leeway to get the legislature to pass them. Thankfully, we have the state of Idaho and our rugged individualism between nanny and Montana. But unchallenged idiocy, whether from D.C. or p.c. state government, deserves a better response than--It's Washington.