Magog: Unguarded
Magog: Unguarded
Swarming Around... cats living with dogs... total chaos.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Hell Freezes Over

I'm with the ACLU on this one.

We should always be careful about allowing government to wield too much power. One day it sounds like a great idea to relieve drug dealers and other criminals of their ill-gotten gains. I mean, who's against sticking it to the low-life scum? But the next day you hear about situations like the one linked above. Government bodies love finding new ways to expand their revenue base. I know...I live in Chicago.

I'm sure at one time constructing simple parking rules made sense. Then one day the Department Of Revenue saw how much money came in from parking fines. "Well, we'll just make more parking laws," they thought. Brilliant! Now a motorist in the city can scarcely find a decent place to park.

Recently, there was discussion introduced in the City Council about a proposed smoking ban in restaurants and bars. There was much debate and high-minded discussion about protecting the health and welfare of bar and restaurant workers. (No one bothered to ask these workers their opinions). Finally, an alderman introduced the idea of making bars and restaurants pay an extra licensing fee to allow smoking. Suddenly, everyone forgot about the welfare of the workers. Another fee! Great idea! Even the alderman who brought the issue to the council was on board.

Alcohol and tobacco taxes? Think those are about health? Ha! I told a friend several years ago who cheered increasing cigarette taxes to just wait...they would be taxing fatty foods soon. He laughed. Yet it was discussed in the UK just last year (and wisely rejected). So much for free markets and personal responsibility.

Never give politicians a chance to hold citizens by the ankles and shake.

posted by the wolf | 2:17 PM
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