Show me see your papers!

I quit smoking today and I just realized how much it ticks me off to
TOW THE CORPORATE LINE. Yes, I said corporate line. Not
the laws of the land agreed to by you and me, but following the damn laws
made to "protect and serve" corporate interests.

What specifically? I'll tell ya...I forgot to wear my seatbelt on the way to
the bank today to cash a check. Why in the world is there a LAW that
states that I HAVE TO wear a seatbelt? Is it because its a good idea?
Nope.

Is it because I might hurt someone else and infringe upon their rights?
Nope.

Is it because the insurance lobby wanted a seatbelt law so they could
reduce the amount they statistically pay in damages while still charging
the same amount for the same insurance?
Yep...sure is.

Oh and add to that local law enforcement gets to tag you with a $150.00
fee if you forget...plus they get to stop and harangue you and look for other
potential sources of revenue while they check your papers....

But seatbelts are really just the tip of the iceberg.

So I finally make it to the bank today (without a ticket, just
a friendly(sic) reminder to wear my seatbelt, and an official comment
that "...Whether or not it is absurd that a motorcycle policeman can
write you a seatbelt ticket, seatbelts are required by law, and Yessir,
I know children in school buses aren't required to wear them, but you are!
Have a nice day and drive safe.")

So I make it to the bank. Go thru the drive-thru to cash a check written
on THAT bank. Provide two types of ID. and then get the check back with
a request to come inside and see the teller.
WHY?

"We need a thumbprint."

"You have to forms of ID."

Sir, you'll have to come inside."

So I park and go in. I'm already ticked off anyway and wanting a smoke...
No....needing a smoke.

"We just need a thumbprint."

"I don't give thumbprints. I need my money.

"Sir, it is required by the bank."

Yes, and it is also required by the bank to release this money to me as per
this check states. And there is nothing on that check that states I would
be compelled to provide a thumbprint."

Well, Sir if you don't provide a thumbprint, I can't cash this check."

"Okay, so what do we do now? Call the sheriff? Should I get my lawyer on
the phone? Should I stand here until you change your policy? What?

At this point the manager comes over all sweetness and nice, pulls me
to the side, and advises I provide the required thumbprint..."But just
smudge it as you do it...if it is really that important to you."

"What is important to me is not actually providing the thumbprint, but
the fact that I am REQUIRED to provide the thumbprint.It's principle.
I have adequate ID"

"It's our policy."

"Yes....and I have some policies of my own."

I stand there, knowing my daughter is in the car. and she was needing
to pee before I went into the bank.

"Okay...just give me the damn ink pad."

So, in the end I cave in and give up my thumbprint. Rather than smudge
the print I do a nice "overlay" of about four prints. It was really artistic
if I say so myself.

And once again, convenience "wins out" over principle. I guess I'm no
better than the rest of us.

Might as well start smoking again....

If you are wondering what I'm getting at here, it is not about seatbelts and
ID's.

It is about the slow erosion of freedom. It is about the insidious nature of government
to increase their power by degree. It is like being on "The Rack" in medieval times.
the torturer turns the crank and the mechanism gains one more notch and latches
into place. There is no turning back...

It is a slow process, one of small steps and small degree. And like the sheep in
Orwells book, we forget the past too easily. We are led by our noses past each
incremental step...toward the slaughterhouse. It is an inevitable process.

So laugh at me if you wil, as I bemoan something so insignificant as a seatbelt
law. Or complain about providing biological ID to a corporation. Or rail against
a nanny state, where all my needs are provided, like health care and retirement...

But in the end...you will look back and realize that sooner, rather than later, is the
time for action. And that slowly, by degree, is how you lost your freedom.

....and now the rack awaits you

....it is your turn

Reading your second line regarding seat bealt, simply becuase it DOES save your life.

Its actually so stupid in reality that people assume that such a law is a negative reaction.

Q:
Name one item that you will take with you when your energy level or life is no longer needed.

I get it. I too have voiced my opinions of similar policies.
Those traffic laws are what we call fund raisers.
When the locals want some revenue, they just squeeze a little here and there and we pay.
As for the thumb print, I'd have canceled out the account and took my money down the road.

Principle has always been a sticking point with me. It bothers me that we have to jump through hoops to appease those with power.

This may not be related exactly, but today's principle for me was at the dr's office.
I lost my job and insurance, I couldn't afford my medicine so I stopped taking them.
I couldn't afford the office visits, so I stopped going. I'm not sick, so I don't really need the visits.
Now I have insurance through my wife, that takes all my unemployment to pay for.
Well I needed a PPD shot for a class I was going to take. They charge me copays for the visit.
They also said that if I don't come in for a physical, I'd be dropped from the practice because it's been so long between visits. I explained that I couldn't afford it then, but I'd come in now. The insurance decided not to pay for the PPD & the blood work.
So when I came in for the physical, they refused to see me until I paid the balance due. I reminded them that I couldn't afford the visits and explained how much this is costing me just to stay under their care.
If it weren't for the doctor taking pity on me and squashing some of the bill, I'd have been screwed.

I told him how frustrating it is to be out of work and how it seems like the system is designed to problematic.
Why pay insurance if nothing meets the deductible?

I don't understand your post Tristar. Are you saying that seatbelts are required
because they may save my life?

And if you are saying that, shouldn't that be a personal choice?
Should there be a law required?

To answer your question...When I die I will take my thoughts, ideas, and
experiences with me. And that is only my personal I hope. There is no certainty
that consciousness continues after death.

What I leave behind....what I have accomplished that helps those that remain
living...that is what is important.

My hope is that I influence someone else to stand for their principles. To not always
choose the convenient path over the long road.

In America, freedom is a commodity. It has value. And it must be guarded jealously.
You can fight many small battles of inconvenience to maintain this freedom.

Or you can wait...and shed your blood, and your life to reinstate what was taken
by degree.

Originally posted by rival
Are you saying that seatbelts are required because they may save my life?

And if you are saying that, shouldn't that be a personal choice?
Should there be a law required?

To a degree, yes. But the reason I personally wear a seatbelt is because I couldn't live with the guilt of causing the death of a loved one because I was too lazy to buckle up. Seatbelts are there for other peoples protection as much as anything.

For example: four people in a family car are wearing seatbelts. One person sitting in the back isn't. Now, do you realise the damage that one person could potentially do to the other law abiding passengers in that car? Yes, my seatbelt may save me from going through the windscreen but it wont save me from having the back of my head smashed open by the non-seatbelt wearing idiot.

reply to post by rival


It was that final length of straw that broke the camel's back. It's that -- I'm mad as hell and I'm not taking anymore. It is not the seat belt, it is the BIG BROTHER idea. You are right. At least you ranted about the check/thumbprint issue and did not set out with guns loaded and take your irritation out on the public. You did not spend 30 pages blaming Bush/GOP/Church/Mom/Dad, etc. You showed remarkable restraint. Now that you have had time to cool, its kind of funny but the meaning is still ringing clear. We are reaching the limits of our confinement and restrictions. It is natural to resent not having ANY control over our lives.

reply to post by LiveForever8


Ahhh, damn good point!. In Texas we recently instated a new law that requires
ALL passengers (backseat as well) to wear aseatbelt. And if this is the reason,
then I'm fine with that.

But, the question remains about the original law.

At what point do we begin (and end) to institute laws of personal safety where no
reasonable argument is made that those laws can be shown to be an issue of
PUBLIC safety.

You may think it is ridiculous, but there is no end to this type of legislation
once it begins.

We could have laws that ban straight razors for personal shaving, or
ban shaving at all. Or require non-slip surfaces in all area of a personal
home. That shoes are required at all times. This list could absolve into
absurdity, but the point remains valid.

When we allow, what should rightfully be a personal choice to be
legislated away from us, we are stepping on a slippery slope...
and there is no legislation that will be enacted to keep us from
falling into the abyss of tyranny.

Be responsible for yourself, and don't allow others to take that right
away from you....

Do it now....or later you will reget...