Party Pooper Politicians

California state Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena) says he doesn't want to be a party pooper, but that's exactly what he is. What else would you call someone who has proposed a bill to ban helium-filled foil balloons?

The legislation, which would go into effect in 2010, calls for anyone caught selling a helium-filled foil balloon to be fined $100 for each violation. Selling deflated or air-filled foil balloons would still be legal.

Why all the fuss over something that brings joy to so many kids? It seems that these miniature metallic menaces cause hundreds of power outages in California every year.

Yeah. Right.

My guess is that Senator Scott had a bad experience with a balloon as a kid. Perhaps he was traumatized by the clown his mother hired for his fourth birthday party. Maybe some bully stole his balloon as he was skipping home from the carnival. Whatever the reason, this certainly isn't going to win him any popularity contests with today's youth.

For more information, check out www.SaveTheBalloons.com.