Happy New Year, everyone. Nothing like kicking off 2012 by bringing you this example of “small government” Republican legislation, delivered by Indiana State Senator Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville),  She apparently has considered all of the problems in the state solved, all potholes taken care of, all needs addressed in the state budget, etc., because anyone with synapses firing wouldn’t waste taxpayer time for such a mind-numbingly stupid effort:

Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, has introduced a bill that would set specific “performance standards” for singing and playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at any event sponsored by public schools and state universities.

The law also would cover private schools receiving state or local scholarship funds, including vouchers.

Performers would have to sign a contract agreeing to follow the guidelines. Musicians — whether amateur or professional — would be fined $25 if it were deemed they failed to meet the appropriate standards.

…What is and what is not “acceptable,” according to Becker’s bill, would be determined by the State Department of Education, with input from the Commission for Higher Education.

Becker said she would expect the guidelines to require that the national anthem be sung with the usual lyrics to the traditional melody — “the way that we normally have it sung or heard throughout most of our state and our country.”

I’m pretty sure that this would no longer make the grade if this bill passes.