Cristina's Law Has Good Intentions, Bad Implications

You are probably aware of the recent terrible tragedy that occurred in an Old Bridge, New Jersey Pathmark.

In the early hours of August 31, 2012, disgruntled co-worker Terence Tyler, aged 23, returned from a break with an assault rifle, killing Cristina LoBrutto, aged 18 and Bryan Breen, aged 24 before using a second gun to kill himself.

What you may not know is that a petition has been started called Cristina's law to require businesses to include social media history in background checks. Sounds like a good idea, right? Not so fast!

I cannot begin to claim to know what the families have gone through or are going through. I feel deeply for the families of any victims injured or killed this way.

However, this proposed law opens the door for employers to screen all prospective employees for any number of reasons -political, religious, sexual orientation, sports team allegiance, you name it.

It is contradictory to proposed legislation that would ban employers from even asking if an applicant has a Facebook or other social media account. Do not be mistaken. Employers will not be using this law to protect people like Cristina or you. They will be using it to serve their own best interests. Companies would love to see it become a national law. And these are the same companies that generally scream and lobby for less laws and regulations.

Most importantly, there is no concrete evidence that this law would work or be effective. Please don't get me wrong. If you know someone who is posting threats online to kill someone or a group of people, it's your civic responsibility to report them to the local authorities. Let them determine if the threat is real or just someone venting. 

There's another tried and true method for screening potential hires.  It's called references.  Businesses should require many and then actually use them. 

Despite my personal opposition, I am a firm believer in democracy and majority rule. Having said that, you can sign the petition by clicking on the following link - Cristina's Law. Just remember, in doing so, if this passes, you are party to willingly surrendering another part of your freedom and your children's freedom. Haven't we given up enough already?

Do not forget that Ben Franklin said it best. “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty.” Think about this.