Today the AP tells us that after two weeks in session, the Idaho Legislature has generated only 388 bills, down 22% from the same time last year. Should we conclude that our legislators are sleeping on the job?

Well, they might be napping, especially while enduring the agency rules reviews, but how can a good conservative or libertarian complain about fewer new laws? The result will be fewer new encroachments on personal freedoms, fewer new taxes, less government growth.

It is illogical to believe that legislators are doing their job only when they are writing new laws. Sometimes inaction or even obstruction is their best option, and serves their constituents’ interests.

You wouldn’t want firemen to be fighting fires every minute of every shift – they would have to be actually setting fires and causing more destruction to keep that up! The public is best served when firemen are ready to work only when there is a need. The same can be said of lawmakers.

OK, some of the more thoughtful legislators would like to see at least one more new law – one that requires an existing law be eliminated before a new one can be enacted.

This year, thank a legislator for doing less. Ultimately, we all benefit.