A “Catch 22” Proposition for Politicians
January 20, 2014
A letter-to-the-editor in the local paper presented an interesting challenge to the local politicians who want to place more and more “red light cameras” in intersections supposedly to improve traffic safety. Opponents argue that it’s all a money/tax-raising scheme that may even cause more accidents by inducing people to speed up at intersections to avoid being red light ticketed, causing rear-end collisions.
Anyway, the letter writer made this proposition: If you politicians are really only interested in safety, then eliminate the fines and impose a few hours of community service (cleaning up the parks and public streets and sidewalks, etc.) as an alternative form of fine. No takers so far.
Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo [send him mail] is a former professor of economics at Loyola University Maryland and a longtime member of the senior faculty of the Mises Institute. He is the author or co-author of eighteen books including The Real Lincoln; How Capitalism Saved America; Lincoln Unmasked; Hamilton's Curse; Organized Crime: The Unvarnished Truth About Government; The Problem with Socialism; and The Politically-Incorrect Guide to Economics.
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