So my question is:
How is small government and limited powers theory compatible with demanding an aggressive, omnipotent police force. How is the theory of freedom as espoused by Thomas Jefferson compatible with the ever present quest to compel your neighbors into behavior that you like. Why do the weakest, most frightened among us drive public policy at all levels of government. Why do "law and order conservatives" want to bring the full force of government upon their neighbors?
Here in California it is legal to make a right turn on a red light after you come to a complete stop behind the white line. This is our greatest cultural achievement.
Very well said.
Sorry. I'd go back to no turn on red at all. I find that there are lots of folks who approach a red light now and think they have a RIGHT to make a red turn. If I even have to think about stepping on my brakes approaching the green from their left, they need to be removed from the road. The police are never around and might not care if they were. And if I removed them, I would be charged with manslaughter.
ML/NJ
Ha! Good thread subject...#4 is the one that pisses me off the most: Under-posted Speed Limits. I live near a town, Lincoln, MA, and their speed limit is 25 mph throughout the main part of the town people drive through, several miles worth.
They will stop you if you are doing 27 MPH, no lie. Bunch of snotty jerks who did that to keep the riff-raff out of town, kind of like another town, Manchester by The Sea (Yep, name of the town) where they have no parking areas in town for other than town residents.
All states allow right turn on red (unless a sign specifically prohibits it).
I hate these people. I need to go to daily confession to atone for the invective I spew every morning towards this type of driver along with oldies, illegal immigrants, most women, Asians, etc..
I know I am going to Hell.
Because the weakest and most frightened vote, and money. There is no reason for the seatbelt laws other than for the cities to make a few bucks.
I agree with all of the above except for the restrictions on turning on red in either direction. Some intersections really do not provide good lines of sight at all (i.e., on a blind hill or very sharp curve) and turning on red should be restricted.
Cops cause crime.
If your done passing that vehicle in front of you, get the hell out of the left lane!
We have that in the People's Republic of Maine, it should be totally between you and the insurance company.
Not wearing a seat belt has about as much effect on others as failing to eat right or exercise. It increases your personal risk, perhaps — but it’s really no one’s business but your own.
Of course when you have the government providing "free" health care to half the state, the elderly, welfare queens and drug dealers, they now have a stake in controlling their lives (social engineering.)
Just trying to "hold down costs" doncha know.
We had this discussion in College - 1968 (CSU) “In class”
Do you stop for a 4 way stop when you can clearly see in ALL directions? Only two in a class of 60 - 80 students said that judgment was prudent and that stopping just because it was the law was not ALWAYS necessary.
The rest justified their reaction by one of the following (lame) reasons.
1. It was the law. Nothing further needed be said.
2. You might not see someone. We already said you could see in ALL directions clearly but their logic was that you might not have seen something that would be corrected by coming to a full stop.
3. There might be a cop parked nearby and you would get a ticket.
The thing is that the majority were sheep and felt that nobody should use logic and good judgment and should always follow the dictates of the law by the LETTER OF THE LAW.
Typical College Students? Yes. But unfortunately the general public is just as stupid and just little robotron students.
The love of money (power) is the root of all evil. Some men strive for good.
Traffic control is a legitimate roll of government. All companies would need to find a way to make a profit. Cities can be stopped from using traffic laws for profit.
A city here in the LA area lost a class action law suit because of Under-posted Speed Limits. Yes in California.
Right turn on red is legal everywhere but NYC except where posted. All the places I have seen posted as no right turn have been on blind intersection where a drive can’t see the needed distance.
Good questions, all. The answer, of course, is that it’s always the biggest morons in society who believe themselves the greatest geniuses - and who have the right, therefore, to control the rest of us.
I did not care for the driving in France or Italy, but the Germans were very good. Of course the occasional wrecks were rather spectacular.
When I came home to USA, I was actually appalled at the serious bad driving skills in America.
These days, I drive an average of 50 miles a week.
I like living near my work, and I am greatful for low fuel idiot lights. (Otherwise I'd run out of gas somewhere in walking distance of my house.)
I have not filled up for about a month now.
Shouldn’t be distracted with GPS. Take it out.
Shouldn’t be distracted with an annoying passenger like a whinny person saying “we are lost”, “you are driving to fast” (always cracks me as I watch cars go flying by), “Why don’t you just pass this idiot and why are you in the slow lane. Don’t you know how to drive? (Cracks me up again, from the same person who complained about driving to fast.)
“Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera”
Shouldn’t be distracted with kids in the car. Leave them home.
All wipers should be federal mandated to have laser on them so they wipe as needed and you don’t have to figure out what speed to put them on or where the “turn on switch thing is”.
No cute toys or ornaments any where near the front window, on the dashboard or hanging from a mirror. (Sorry bobble head Chihuahua)
No cute toys or ornaments any where near the back window, on the deck or stickers. (Again, sorry bobble head Chihuahua)
No stickers on the side windows (impairs your view)
No dry cleaning hanging from anywhere in the car. Makes noise and impairs your view.
No ashtray, no smoking, no eating and drinking anything in the car (you should have both hands on the wheel at all times, in the 10 and 2 O’clock positions.
No putting on lipstick or make up ever and no shaving.
No more vanity mirrors, you shouldn’t be looking at anything but the road.
No pets ever. Never know what they are going to do.
Exceptions:
Police -
3 to 5 radio channels transmitting information all the time, computer sending info all the time, GPS sending info all the time, they can talk on radio and switch to secure channels, Cell phone use is frequent.They do have drinks in car; have to look at license plates as they travel down the road, look for people in distress, look for crime, look for infractions, etc.
Truck Drivers -
CB is allowed, GPS is allowed, and Radio is allowed, pets in the front seat or back of cab, lunch, dinner and snacks. Cooler for their drinks and yes drinks, Cell phone, a bunch more dials of information to ensure the truck and trailer are running correctly.
Airline Pilots -
Just look at all that crap in the cockpit! How do they do it?
I concur.
I agree on all 6 counts. The red left-turn arrow is perhaps the most insulting.
Midnight red lights - 90% of the traffic lights ought to be flashing anyway. Flashing yellow on the main road and flashing red on the side street.