UPDATED: Perfect Example of when Big Government is BAD Government

This is absolutely unreal:

It’s hardly unusual to hear small-business owners gripe about licensing requirements or complain that heavy-handed regulations are driving them into the red.

So when Multnomah County shut down an enterprise last week for operating without a license, you might just sigh and say, there they go again.

Except this entrepreneur was a 7-year-old named Julie Murphy. Her business was a lemonade stand at the Last Thursday monthly art fair in Northeast Portland. The government regulation she violated? Failing to get a $120 temporary restaurant license.

Turns out that kids’ lemonade stands — those constants of summertime — are supposed to get a permit in Oregon, particularly at big events that happen to be patrolled regularly by county health inspectors.

“I understand the reason behind what they’re doing and it’s a neighborhood event, and they’re trying to generate revenue,” said Jon Kawaguchi, environmental health supervisor for the Multnomah County Health Department. “But we still need to put the public’s health first.“

via Portland lemonade stand runs into health inspectors, needs $120 license to operate | OregonLive.com.

I got a better idea, how about when they make a new pitcher; they give the first damned glass to Jon Kawaguchi and if he drops dead, which would be such a good thing, — they make a new pitcher. But, if not, they sell the damn Lemonade. This nothing more than big Government socialism taxing someone who actually wants to have a small business of their own. All dressed up in the disguise of “We have to look out for the people!”

Another example if why I will never, ever, vote liberal or democratic party, ever again.

Others: Creative Minority Report, The Moderate Voice, Another Black Conservative, JOSHUAPUNDIT, AmSpecBlog, Townhall.com, Gawker and Don Surber

Update: Looks like the town and the Mayor had a come to Jesus moment.