As soon as man discovered trade, man began taxing it. Along the rivers of Europe the castles of noblemen still stand, testament to the wealth they accumulated by taking money from people moving stuff up and down those rivers. On stretches of the Rhine, tax collectors stopped traffic every few miles. They didn't improve the process; they simply added friction.
Today is no different, except in one aspect. Noblemen no longer tax us; the state does. In Florida, one agency of the state creating friction in our lives is the Florida Highway Patrol. I'm unable to tell you of many of my experiences with the troopers, because that would reveal my identity. But my latest contact with these people sealed the deal - they are modern-day tax collectors, pure and simple.
As a lawyer friend of mine said, they're not there to enforce the law, they are there to hide behind it. Or, as he more colourfully put it, to screw the driver whilst fully uniformed.
Traffic Karma? Nope. Doesn't exist. And if I had any power against usurious government agencies who purport to 'serve' us, I would use it. Arseholes.
Edited for clarity. I think I'm clear now.
8 comments:
so, do i have this right, sugar. y'all received a ticket for some non-infraction that has resulted in you having to pay for being told something was amiss with your vehicle and/or a warning about same that isn't a ticket, but ya'll still have to pay? is that it? ;~D
(email me the details!) xoxoxoxo
Oh, nothing so exotic, Sugar. Simple speeding fine is all.
However, the time, place and circumstance all speak to the fact that this was tax collection, with only lip-service paid to 'law enforcement'.
I have a suspicion that the FHP's masters encouraged the troopers' New Year Resolutions to include a record revenue-raising 2010. From the beginning of January their presence in places where they can pluck the low-lying fruit is obvious.
And I am led to believe that if the radar says I was doing a certain speed, they MUST issue a citation. No discretion.
I was driving a customer at the time, in a hurry to get home, as usual.
here's what happens around here: the "hot spots" are broadcast on tv every morning! so everyone remembers to "behave". i wonder what happens to the limo guys around here, if they get tagged like all y'all on a regular basis. xoxoxox
(y'all knew i was kidding about the email, right?) ;~D
BLOODY sticky touch pad and a very slow connection argh! My apologies for 'littering' your site so.
That'll be a carton...
...what'll you have mate?
;-)
Sugar, we need the hot spot report around here, I'll tell you. Funny you say 'behave'. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one out there who does :-)
Oh well.
Belongum, sorry mate. I got stuck in my own sticky pad situation and deleted your comment!
I'm an idiot! Now I owe you the carton. What's your fancy?
Simple speeding doesn't sound so simple for someone who makes a living driving. Tough luck!
In the Netherlands they have traffic cameras that take your picture if you are speeding then they mail the ticket to the owner of the vehicle. He either pays it or can't register the vehicle again. Who's driving doesn't matter; it's the car's fault.... Obviously. Most of the cameras are fixed but there are some that are mobile & where those are located is on the news. People still get caught though.
I'll have a Boags Lager thanks mate - and you? ;-)
Yep - revenue raising seems to be one of life's (Man's) most creative and at the same time quite basic little money spinner... so glad we don't have toll bridges (at least the 'legal' kind) here in WA. Thank gawd for small mercies!
Cheers
...the car's fault...Obviously
Most amusing, Don. I like this. Must remember to never lend my Netherlands-registered car to a Flying Dutchman when I'm there.
Simple speeding = $206 down the drain.
Boags! Belongum, I'd give a LOT to share that carton with you right about now :-)
I forgot about the toll road plague. There's a bunch of those suckers here in Florida. Bastards.
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