Police State
Posted on Saturday, July 23rd, 2005 at 14:34.
Arthur’s 2005 Mazda RX8 proved to be a rather delightful chariot of choice for my family outing this weekend. It loves to cruise around 85 MPH. particularly on 65 MPH interstate highways. Unfortunately, going 84 MPH on I-84 is illegal and a !@#$%^& cop reminded Arthur of this fact.
After smugly writing a ticket at 5 AM in the morning (as opposed to 5 AM at night), I remembered why I despise police. I have never met a decent, honest, and/or respectable cop. Being a fiscal conservative and politically libertarian, I believe that most officer duties should be stripped and road laws significantly altered. I have never written about these and related issues, so bring out my soapbox:
- Speeding should be a secondary offense.
- Car inspections should be required yearly, but not having an up-to-date inspection should be a secondary offense.
- Seatbelts should not be required, though I support their use.
- Driving under the influence of any intoxicant should result in a minimum 20-year license suspension.
- SUVs and non-commercial vehicles that have a fossil fuel efficiency less than 25 miles per gallon should have a luxury tax that offsets the cost of tax incentives to owners of vehicles less dependent upon non-renewable fuels (including hybrids, eco-fuel, and hydrogen vehicles).
It is a good thing that I love you enough to pay the $190.00 ticket. Humm. . .who would have paid it if it were $200.00?
It’s your ticket. You have to pay it.
I am just teasing in my usual dry sarcastic biting manner that I reserve for only those I cherish the most. ;-)
So where was that “dry sarcastic biting manner” hiding when I was in Boston? I was only greeted with seemingly sincere warmth. Does that mean I am not cherished?! For shame, Jeremiah; and I’ve spent all this time with you for what?
Rest assured, there are plenty of decent, honest, and respectable cops out there… I know a bunch of them. But just as is the case with many things, a few crappy ones spoil our perception of the whole population. I’ve had my share of run-ins with cops, and in those times, I think that police suck, and I have to remind myself of all the great cops I know, and that the bad ones really are the minority. By the way, I like your idea of taxing SUV’s. I think that’s a super idea.
Oh Ryan… you’re an ass. ( ::grin:: you know I love ya)
Caleb: I take that back. Your dad is the only one I’ve met.