Seruzawa, sadly the enforcement of laws for offending a minority is already occuring here in the usA. Recently a woman in Michigan was prosecuted for hate speech when a off duty hispanic policeman overheard her mutter the word **** to her mother. While I am loath to support the use of racial epithets, the very idea of arresting people for uttering their private opinions is a far more dangerous proposition than the supposed crime of intolerant stupidity. VWW
London begins ''congestion charges''
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Seruzawa, if you want to read a hilariously amusing take on government power, the space shuttle and the "Ministry of Love" you (and everyone else) should take a look here. http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Feb-16-Sun-2003/opinion/20691796.html
VWW.
VWW.
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17,448 Posts
One has to wonder at the cluelessness of people who think that the govt is going to eliminate stupidity. It's sort of like expecting the KKK to eliminate racism.
My favorite stupidity these days are the idiot socialists who hate HMOs and want to solve the problems associated with HMOs by forcing everyone into socialized medicine, in effect a huge national HMO. What morons.
My favorite stupidity these days are the idiot socialists who hate HMOs and want to solve the problems associated with HMOs by forcing everyone into socialized medicine, in effect a huge national HMO. What morons.
Re: Oop
I imagine it would qualify. The difference is that alternative fuel vehicles have to apply for an exemption while 2-wheelers are automatically exempt -- I assume that is because the cameras cannot automatically determine the fuel type.
I imagine it would qualify. The difference is that alternative fuel vehicles have to apply for an exemption while 2-wheelers are automatically exempt -- I assume that is because the cameras cannot automatically determine the fuel type.
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162 Posts
Re: Socialism?
"Having the users of the roads bear the cost of construction and maintenance is much LESS socialistic than having this borne by the taxpaying public.."
Agreed. I guess I was thinking about their socialistic policies in general, not this particular one.
I DO think that mass transit is a good idea (I live near Boston, which the experts have determined is the most congested city in the world). It should be subsidised as in L.A. but.....
I'm very conservative, but roads are one area that economically benefit *everyone*. For this reason, I believe the cost of road constuction, improvement, and maintainence should be born by all. I also don't agree with tolls, for this reason and the one you site.
Except for the tolls part, I would agree with BMW's post below. Excise taxes on fuel (as in aviation) are a better solution. Those who use the roads the most will pay the most, regardless of what stretch of road they happen to use.
The Brits DO have the right idea in supporting motorcycle use as a fuel effecient, low impact way to travel.
"Having the users of the roads bear the cost of construction and maintenance is much LESS socialistic than having this borne by the taxpaying public.."
Agreed. I guess I was thinking about their socialistic policies in general, not this particular one.
I DO think that mass transit is a good idea (I live near Boston, which the experts have determined is the most congested city in the world). It should be subsidised as in L.A. but.....
I'm very conservative, but roads are one area that economically benefit *everyone*. For this reason, I believe the cost of road constuction, improvement, and maintainence should be born by all. I also don't agree with tolls, for this reason and the one you site.
Except for the tolls part, I would agree with BMW's post below. Excise taxes on fuel (as in aviation) are a better solution. Those who use the roads the most will pay the most, regardless of what stretch of road they happen to use.
The Brits DO have the right idea in supporting motorcycle use as a fuel effecient, low impact way to travel.
The difference here is that the red light cameras (or photoradar as well) only take pictures (or at least only keep those) when the sensor indicates a probable violation. If you do not run a red light or speed through a radar trap, you can reasonably expect to avoid being photographed.
This new deal would require substantially all vehicles being photographed and the data kept at least long enough to match plate numbers with either exemptions or paid fees. Takes the level of privacy invasion at least another step towards Orwell's 1984.
This new deal would require substantially all vehicles being photographed and the data kept at least long enough to match plate numbers with either exemptions or paid fees. Takes the level of privacy invasion at least another step towards Orwell's 1984.
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162 Posts
"It's sort of like expecting the KKK to eliminate racism."
Great analogy. If you look up the definition of racism it states: 'any policy concerning race.' By definition Affermative Action IS racist, and most polititions are also racist. This is news to some, because the term racist has been corrupted to mean something else.
I also agree with your take on socialized medicine.
Great analogy. If you look up the definition of racism it states: 'any policy concerning race.' By definition Affermative Action IS racist, and most polititions are also racist. This is news to some, because the term racist has been corrupted to mean something else.
I also agree with your take on socialized medicine.
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162 Posts
Re: Socialism?
Oops, BMW's post is above.
Oops, BMW's post is above.
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162 Posts
I love using England as an example in discussions with gun control people. They inevitably say 'bobbies don't even need to carry guns because they're illegal'. The I tell them bobbies do carry guns now because criminals have black market guns. Often they don't believe me!
Look no further than Austrailia for more proof. Within one year of the govt. requiring all gun owners to turn them in the murder rate jumped 400% All other violent crimes went up too. Most of these crimes were against the elderly. Who would've thought the criminals wouldn't turn their guns in? They could commit these crimes secure in the knowledge that thier victims had no means of defence.
Bring on Gun Control!
Look no further than Austrailia for more proof. Within one year of the govt. requiring all gun owners to turn them in the murder rate jumped 400% All other violent crimes went up too. Most of these crimes were against the elderly. Who would've thought the criminals wouldn't turn their guns in? They could commit these crimes secure in the knowledge that thier victims had no means of defence.
Bring on Gun Control!
Citizens are arrested and held without being charged in the USA as well. In fact, Ashcroft has arrested 2000 Arab-Americans... so far, no charges...and according to the Patriot Act the cops can break into your house without a search warrant or judge's orders...
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