The other side of Oregon

[pdedse]

Click [url=https://www.npr.org/2018/01/05/575975670/oregonians-arent-pumped-about-new-law-allowing-self-service-gas-stations]HERE for "gas-pumping" story that's kind of funny yet informative.

That was amusing ("highlighting the dangers of spraying it in the air like Zoolander") but it doesn't answer the question "Why?"

[url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/02/why_cant_oregonians_pump_their.html]WHY?

Excerpts from article:
>>...Back in 1951, when Oregon first mandated that only trained station workers could put "Class 1 flammable liquids" into cars, the state mainly didn't want people accidentally blowing things up....

...the statute contains 17 justifications for the self-serve ban. They run the gamut from protecting small children left in cars to preventing spills to keeping older drivers from "unreasonable discomfort."

"The justification that's cited most often is that the law creates jobs," said Oregon State University economist Patrick Emerson. <<

Not to be missed is the end of the article:

"Live here long enough, and you'll find your own reasons to buy into what once seemed crazy."