PROM LIMOS UNDER ATTACK:
Will such photos one day go the nostalgic route of soda fountains and sock-hops?
There is a reflexive, fanatical safety strain in the American pysche that always degenerates into fearful and confiscatory public policies that are then dubbed "proactive." This mentality has done away with or at least discouraged high diving boards, metal lunch boxes, toy guns, dodge ball -- all in the name of protecting the children. (I grew up using all of these things with no discernible setbacks).
So the latest application of the safety-strain is the campaign against the prom limousine. THIS EDITORIAL from a newspaper that serves a school district where prom limos have been banned once again illustrates the fearful and clueless flight to PC safety. Any legal, legitimate operator can see the falsehoods of the editorial.
What's at work here is the trendy tendency of late to use a "crisis" as an "opportunity" to "regulate" free consumer choices that also take away people's fun. The prom may not be the Academy Awards, but it's also not a school bus commute either. Thousands of teens successfully use prom limos each year without incident or major drama. Limousine companies should hang tough and refuse to give back deposits, clearly telling school officials they will not surrender their consumer-driven private sector market share to a group of bullying, busy-body bureaucrats.
Herein lies a teachable moment for the young adults: Consumer choice. For the prom, you choose a transportation option that suits your taste and budget: rent a limo, take a cab, hop aboard the public bus, organize a charter bus group, or just drive yourself. Weigh the options and decide for yourself. Call it ECON LIFE 101.
We obviously endorse the limousine for its virtues of enjoyment, style, efficiency, comfort, and dare we say, non-alcoholic safety.
Ordinarily, I would suggest a compromise: "Dry" limo buses with sound equipment and entertainment poles. But then school officials might get concerned about the poles, and require helmets, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, and sneakers for all passengers in case anyone uses the pole, SLIPS!, and then lands into the lap of another passenger. -- M.R.
Print | posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:28 AM