#PumpGate

After January 1^st 2018 rural counties in Oregon under 40,000 will be able to pump their own gas. In three other counties residents will be able to pump their own gas after business hours (6am – 6pm).

The Triggered

Of course it is Oregon and you have people who are upset over this new law. One person stated “I’ve lived in this state all my life and I REFUSE to pump my own gas… This [is] a service only qualified people should perform. I will literally park at the pump and wait until someone pumps my gas” according to the Washington Post.

You have people claiming it is unsafe for specific disadvantaged groups such as disabled, seniors, and people with young children, who all need assistance when at the pump. This person goes on to claim that they do not feel safe pumping their own gas with “transients around.”

The LOLz

Of course people online have produced endless jokes and memes about this over reaction. Only Oregon and New Jersey do not allow you to pump your own gas.

The rest of the country is enjoying a good chuckle at Oregon’s expense.

The funniest response to the new law, in my opinion, is from Kale Williams an Oregonian columnist. “The Internet’s content farms fired up their harvesting machines and cherry-picked some of the worst comments and laid into Oregon. Could it be the rest of the country is mad they don’t have access to the fine-dining equivalent of gasoline?”

Perfectly outlining the ivory tower mentality so prevalent in the State of Oregon. Kale, I do not think they are jealous, they are laughing at the pretentious attitude on display by uppity liberal like you. But you probably still have some cut your steak for you too.

The Ramifications

The biggest and most obvious effect of this new law is that business owners in rural counties and consumers will have more freedom.

Hard to believe this legislation passed in Oregon, but it was well worth it to help small businesses and for the entertainment of the online meltdown.