Why is it that some of the oddest and most stupid ideas come from the side of the political aisle which is supposed to defend liberties and freedom? Name five things in your life, the challenge goes, which aren’t in some way taxed or regulated? You can’t. And the first question any libertarian should ask themselves is – why is suchnsuch law necessary. They shouldn’t be asking themselves this:

State Senator Bruce Patterson got to thinking about the media recently, and noticed something. Hairdressers and auto mechanics are regulated and licensed by the state.

So are lawyers, doctors, even those who give manicures. So, he reasoned, why shouldn’t reporters be as well? Accordingly, he has introduced a new bill, SB 1323, to add reporters to the list of occupations regulated by the state.

His bill would set up a board to review applications and license reporters. Candidates would have to demonstrate that they have a journalism degree, or, failing that, three years of experience, some published stories, and letters of recommendation.

Those who qualify would have to pay a license fee, and would be entitled to call themselves a “Michigan Registered Reporter.” Senator Patterson isn’t suggesting that those who don’t register be prevented from writing or broadcasting anything.

Of course, as naturally as night follows day it’d only be a matter of time. Government would be delighted if they could revoke a licence to write articles and op-eds. Coalition resident eco-nutter Chris Huhne would be salivating at the prospect of shutting James Delingpole down for his role in exposing the climate change myth. The excellent Christopher Booker might as well start retraining now as a fashion designer..oh…scrub that idea…a furniture maker or something.

This will never be adopted in its proposed form in the UK because it has a clause requiring registered journalists to be of “good moral character.” The BBC would be in deep trouble.

Patterson has a history of being a bit of a nutcase, though – he once called for a bill imposing a cash deposit on newspapers; redeemable if returned. It turned out to be a scare tactic so that he could “unload about the need for them to do a better job of reporting on how bad things are in Lansing.” So he has form as an idiot. However he’s done one useful thing: drawn attention to the absurdly unnecessary and counterproductive registrations required by bureaucrats. And if you think that registration leads to higher standards; just think…it was a registered stylist who crafted his moustache….

Hat-tip: Moonbattery