Denverites are familiar with the local water service’s ad campaign: “Use Only What You Need.” While there is no reason to waste water, there is especially no reason to waste taxpayer money on an insulting ad campaign that tramples on the Constitution as well as laws designed to help the handicapped.

Those familiar with Marx may recognize the language of Denver Water’s slogan. He said “To each according to his needs.” Apparently, Water knows best what is a need. One homeowner’s needs might include a nice green lawn that is watered daily, but Water is, of course, anxious to restrict this behavior. Even in years of abundant water beyond Denver’s ability to use it, Water dictates that watering is illegal during the hottest hours. People are not bright enough to know when to water to get the most from their budget; Water must dictate and enforce.

OK, another arrogant government agency, but how does Water defy the Constitution and insult handicapped people? The first part of the First Amendment prohibits the Government from establishing a religion. This restriction on government abuse comes before everything else, even a free press. Today, the Establishment Clause is interpreted as separation of church and state, despite there being no wording to that effect. How is Water flouting this fundamental law?

In order to demonstrate Water’s commitment to dictating people’s water use, they have rented a portion of a parking lot along the popular 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver. On that spot, Water has erected some stacks of barrels depicting how much water could be saved if only homeowners would adhere to Water’s priorities. Not content to simply illustrate how much water is used contrary to policy, Water has invoked religion. The side of the barrels says “Made from 100% good karma and recycled barrels.”

Karma is a popular term bantered about these days. While some equate Karma with “what comes around goes around,” or “he’ll get his in the end,” karma is actually a Hindu religious tenant. For good measure, Water throws in a Taoist religious symbol. What is wrong with occasionally invoking religion to make a point? Nothing at all. Why, then, does the Government not occasionally say “Made with heavenly blessings,” which would be the Christian equivalent to Water’s statement. The ACLU would certainly burn the midnight oil suing Water for referring to heaven, but will never raise a hand against Water’s equally irrelevant Hindu and Taoist references. When did Hinduism, with its caste system, become so much hipper than Christianity?

Of course the more powerful religion in the US is recycling. Water takes great pride in letting us know that the steel barrels are recycled. It would be more interesting if Water could find steel for sale anywhere that is not recycled. Since long before Al Gore was anointed, steel has been the US’s most recycled material. It is nearly impossible to buy anything made of steel that is not recycled. Water is using the dubious tactic of taking special credit for doing something everyone does every day.

On to the handicapped. Water did not rent just any part of the parking lot for its display. No, Water rented the two handicapped spots on the lot. Various Government agencies impose sweeping restrictions on parking lots to allow the handicapped convenient parking spaces. Making allowances for the handicapped is nice, but it is quite an expensive endeavor. The sacrifices by the private sector for the handicapped are all the more frustrating when the Government itself ignores its own laws by occupying handicapped parking spaces for a trite bit of advertisement.

People on a mission often ignore the law and the rights of others to advance their cause. The environmentalist effort is a fine example of this myopia. They burn down buildings and spray paint trucks. They kill off jobs and prosperity in states they will never visit. They act as if human existence itself is the enemy. When the Government loses perspective and violates the law, the hypocrisy is worse still.

Water wants us to live how it dictates, and they show no concern for the law in advancing their agenda. If the Government will violate its own Constitution and laws for a triviality like household water usage, how far will it go to impose its will on broader environmental issues? Perhaps Denver Water should learn to live with less through a small budget cut.