Posted on 01/28/2020 1:51:21 PM PST by Red Badger
Here is a story that shows progressive policies to be not only destructive, but also depressingly stupid. New York State recently passed a law requiring citizens to obtain a permit if they wish to gaze at the stars in public parks. No, really. You read that right. In New York, you must pay for a license to look at the freaking stars.
The Free Thought Project first reported on the story, explaining that “If citizens of the state wish to look up at the sky and view the stars at one of New York’s public parks, they will first have to obtain a ‘Stargazing permit.’” The site pointed out that pollution in the sky makes it more difficult for New Yorkers in “highly populated areas” to see the sky at night, so they travel to remote areas, many of which are located in state parks.
The state is charging residents $35 to become a fully-licensed stargazer allowed to view the stars between January and December of the year. If you are not lucky enough to be a New York resident and you are just visiting, you will have to fork over $60 for the privilege of admiring your favorite constellation in the night sky. We were not able to find out how much it costs to wish upon a star, but we can be sure that it ain’t cheap. Okay, that last part was a joke — hopefully.
There are several obvious issues with this unnecessarily statist policy. For starters, it disadvantages low-income citizens who might not be able to afford to pay the fee for the permit. Aren’t progressives always whining about privilege and railing against the wealthy? Apparently, their compassion does not extend to individuals who just want to look at the stars in a public park.
The other problem is that there does not seem to be any real rationale behind the policy. Stargazing isn’t exactly known to be a dangerous pastime. Moreover, it does not cause any discernible inconvenience for anyone else. So why would they enact such a measure? The answer is simple: It is nothing more than a brazen money grab designed to separate New York residents from more of their hard-earned cash.
In other words, New York’s government is needlessly restricting the liberty of its citizens to make a quick buck. The same folks who claim capitalists are evil are willing to use cynical political means to amass funds. Of course, requiring silly permits for activities that do not warrant them is the progressives’ bread and butter. It’s become an ingenious way for local and state governments run by far leftists to raise money while asserting their dominance over the populace.
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Your Honor...”I wasn’t looking at the stars,I was looking at a robin in a nearby tree”.
These web sites serve only to damage our cause. As has been pointed out in previous posts, this story is total B.S. Leftists LOVE these stories. They use them to “prove” how conservative news is “fake”. They direct people to leftist sites like Snopes to debunk all Conservative thought. We ALL need to be more careful, and post/email only legitimate outrages, and there are PLENTY of those!
Is this for setting up a telescope on a tripod, or just looking up, perhaps with binoculars? Either way it is stupid, and even more stupid if New Yorkers keep electing these horrible people.
No one would dare purchase a stargazing pass in order to be in the park for other reasons, would they?
With Cuomo in charge of things, New Yorkers might end up paying a fee for permission to breathe air too.
Well, they seem to want to vote in command and control communists, don’t they?
Q: If you look up without a license, do you get fined?
A: Do you have to ask?
Yep. There will be a brown shirted trooper issuing a citation and if you object, you will be beaten and jailed.
I thought there was more to the story. State parks cost money to operate. If their hours are expanded that means more staff and security is needed. That means more people have to be paid.
Ahh, the State owns the stars?? Come and get it buddy.
If you sit down, they’ll tax your seat/ if you take a walk, they’ll tax your feet...-George Harrison
In the summertime, I can stand in my backyard with the stars overhead and a field of fireflies beneath my feet. It ain’t New York and it’s heavenly.
I simply won’t pay it.
For starters most state parks require a $7 entry fee.
I doubt the State Park Police would actively enforce this.
Not at first.
Beatles “The Taxman”
One, two, three, four, one, two
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for
(Ah ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more
(Ah…
The late Carl Sagan (a New Yorker) would find this interesting. He would be commenting about billions and billions of dollars.
The late Carl Sagan (a New Yorker) would find this interesting. He would be commenting about billions and billions of dollars.
Remember partying on the back roads? Well, I know some here may not, but trust me, it was a thing.
Doesn't apply to me, I'm from New Jersey.
ML/NJ
What if you park at the coast to watch the submarine races?
>>So what if you glance upward, do they arrest you for looking w/o a permit?
They arrest you for being a slack jawed yokel who’s never seen a tall building before
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.