The Herald-Sun reports that Durham Mayor Bill Bell and city council members want to be able to force private-sector businesses NOT to ask job applicants about their criminal history on job applications. An attorney who works for the city told the politicians they need General Assembly approval to get the authority to do it. The so-called “ban the box” practice — meaning removing the box on the job application that asks if you have a  criminal history — is already in place for Durham government jobs. It’s a stunning reminder that liberal politicians firmly believe they have the right to control private entities.