[dpa5923]

Read my statement again. I said I can see the arguments for and against this tax. I never said they were mine.

The arguments for this tax are rather straight-forwarded: A poor or irresponsible driver “cost” more than a safe and mature driver. Since the ticket is only punitive, this tax is meant to recoup some of the costs of allowing an unsafe driver on the road.

The argument against this tax is rather straight forward as well: The driver has already been punished for his actions; this tax is nothing more than double punishment.

With all that said, you don't know where I fall on this position on purpose. I consider the truly grievous thing the tax on drivers from other states.

[pollyannaish]

I didn't mean to get on you personally. I just don't see how the case can be made that the tax covers something the fines do not. I thought that was exactly what the fines are supposed to do.

I guess that I need to trust that these fines are created as deterrents and as safety measures. But I don't. I know for a fact, that many municipalities and cities depend on them as fund raising tools, which seems to me to be an abuse of power.

I did not mean to imply that you had that position, just that perhaps I was missing an argument for that wasn't bordering on delusional. ; ).

Anyway, no harm, no foul.