Libertarians often champion economics, labor and property rights being private contractual matters and outside the legitimate domain of the public sphere. On these matters, libertarians are supposed to be in accord with conservatives. Well, except for one small problem: conservatives aren’t really down with the program. Case in point: The California Chamber of Commerce Opposition to Prop 19 on the hysterical basis that an “epidemic of stoned workers” would threaten the workplace safety of the group’s constituent member businesses. Oh yeah, it also feels it would imperil its members ability to land federal contracts.

You know, whenever I see “Concerned Mothers Against This” or “Concerned Families Against That” babbling on about whatever latest social epidemic, I come to the conclusion that there is indeed a social epidemic: namely a social epidemic of irresponsible mothers and families who are apparently incapable of parenting their children without the aid of the State. This is, no doubt, a welfare problem. And it seems to me that social conservatives are in continual need of such welfare.

So when I read the basis of the Cali Chamber of Commerce’s opposition to Prop 19, I sensibly come to the conclusion that the organization is plagued by irresponsible members who are apparently incapable enforcing their own workplace safety rules. We are constantly inundated about how sorry the business climate is in California. Well business is bad everywhere, but I can see why it is particularly bad in California if it’s primary business interest group is infested with irresponsibility and an overriding concern to suck off the teat of federal contracts. The Cali Chamber of Commerce is part of the problem. Laissez Faire, my ass….