IF BUREAUCRATS CAN MAKE THE LAWS, IT HARDLY SEEMS ELECTIONS ARE WORTH ALL THAT BOTHER

These days, too much of the regulating once left to legislative deliberation has been taken over by executive edict. Consider:

Missouri's Clean Water Commission last month banned the issuance of any new chip-mill permits in the state, even though it hasn't developed convincing data on the dangers the mills pose to streams. North Carolina and Virginia already have major studies in progress, but no conclusive findings yet.

Meanwhile, President Clinton this week issued an executive order banning discrimination against parents who are federal employees. He failed to explain whether this meant federal employees who aren't parents can be discriminated against.

What's next? Automobile dealerships? Convenience stores? Supermarkets? If anonymous, unelected bureaucrats can make the laws, why bother with elections?