We live in a society full of selfish and stupid people who can't make a common sense decision, lead by authority all too willing to exploit that, to line their own pockets.
Smokers: They are the laziest, dirtiest and most selfish of all, throwing their litter everywhere. The number of times I've seen them throw fag ends on the floor, or pushing a pram with one hand, fag in other. Or before the smoking ban, you sit in a pub/restaraunt with the kids, to have a meal, and someone on the next table lights up. Raise the issue in discussion and smokers always say...its not me, .....I understand that in the cases mentioned, the fines were so high because of other factors, so be it.
(Chewing gum users come second to smokers on the list)
Dog mess. Should be picked up. But the other day we were out walking at Dovedale, beautiful countryside. And on about 3 occasions we found almost discreetly hidden behind bushes, etc, little plastic bags of pooh. Are they stupid!!!! If you aren't going to take it with you, don't bag it. Mother nature can dispose of it along with all the cow and sheep pooh around there, much better than it can a plastic bag that will take years to bio-degrade!!!!!
Peeing in the street. Simple solution, councils should provide clean and cheap public toilets. If they don't then they can't be surprised when people pee in the street on the way home form the pub, why fine them an on-the-spot fine unless they are doing it as a deliberate act of non-compliance, its something we all have to do, we just need facilities.
Driving. Used as a cash cow and targeting the easy targets as always.
Labour brought in a new law....not to use a mobile while driving. Millions ignore that law because its not policed. Police are more interested in catching people flashing their headlights because its easy money, and the same with speed traps. Cars are a lot more safer than they have ever been, yet there are constant calls to reduce speed limits in built up areas. Check the facts....how many fatalities and serious accidents occur due to someone doing 33 in a 30, its neglible and when it does happen, its usually other factors such as over taking in the wrong place. Most serious accidents are caused by bad driving, for example, the boy racer doing 60 in a 30 and not caring because his car is not registered, taxed, insured, etc. There was already a law that could deal with mobile phones..driving without due care and attention...but it needs police to do the job of policing, not siting on their areses in speed traps looking for the next easy buck.
School holidays. Another example of authority looking for a quick buck. I was at school last night being lectured about taking the kids out of school during term time for a holiday, it could potentially lead to being fined. What nonsense, regular truancy should be followed up on, and persistently poor attendance should be dealt with, if neccessary by fining. But pupils/parents who have otherwise excellent attendance should not be made to feel like satan because once a year they take their kids on holidays, which after all, is good for the childrens overall well being and development. Yet ironically, they can close the school just like that for inset days, half inch of snow, or strikes.....Again, there are lots of soutons, such as reforming the current school year, etc....but why let common sense get in the way........I've even known a teacher advise that instead of rewquesting a holiday, its better just to phone in and say your child has measels for a week.
And we think we live in a free society.....wrong we live in a society where mini-dictators try to control every aspect of our lives, but without them, the selfish and stupid people would make all our lives a misery, so we have to put up with it.
Don't we??????
