On another note, here in Vancouver WA they are raising fees on building permits. Because there are fewer permit request due to the poor economy they are raising rates so they don't have to lay anyone off. So we are paying more so we can ensure these government employee can do less and be paid well for not doing it.
In Minnesota I was pulled over for speeding and the police officer that stopped me stated that he didn’t want to give me a ticket for speeding however told me that the city council put him under directive to get as many speeders as possible because they needed the revenue.