I am BLOWN AWAY by this story. What the hell right does the State (capital "S" intentional) have to come into a retail store and tell them to hand over 60% of the cost of "dormant" gift cards?

Maine: Why let unused gift cards go to waste? - Retail - MSNBC.com

The most amazing part of the story is in the last paragraph: "The refusal of national firms to pay up has left a hole in the state budget."

IT WAS NEVER THEIR MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! And they put it in the budget, and now it's the retailer's fault?

We live in a scary, scary world.

OUTRAGEOUS! I'm not surprised he's a former judge, mayor, and politician.

Once I was in small claim's court awaiting my turn, listening in on another case. I don't remember the details, but I do remember the losing party saying to the judge, "But the LAW says . . .". She cut him off, saying, "I don't care what the law says. In this courtroom, I AM THE LAW."

I will never forget that. A measly small claims court judge screaming out "I AM THE LAW" -- and meaning it -- to the detriment of this poor business owner who had just followed the ACTUAL law.

Reminds me of an old saying that my parents take to heart that my pediatrician had on all her notepads when I was growing up:

"Any government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everythig you have"

These stories reinforce my hatred for big government and socialist liberals.

"Any government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everythig you have"

Ohhhh, that's a good one! Thanks for the handy quote :clap2:

I still can't believe it's happening but it sure looks like the "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" "justice" network is going strong. These people are going to appeal....Keep your fingers crossed for them...