In a message dated 11/27/2004 11:30:23 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: >>>What's any of this nonsense have to do with St. Paul? It had to do with the conversation about MPR and corporate subsidies previously mentioned in this forum. Don't remember details, but there was something about corporations not paying property taxes in Saint Paul (Lawson?). >>>I hate to be harsh (you know me), but it's this fundamental misunderstanding of the three pillars of a free society (democracy, individual liberty, economic freedom) I GET the individual freedom stuff but then wonder about policies to control behavior (e.g., the recent legislation to pull the driver's license of any who drop out of school and no-smoking laws; is the plan to make it illegal to smoke in all public places, including sidewalks, parking lots and parks?) Smoking is a great example. For years (even now?), the government subsidized the tobacco industry. After MN won the lawsuit the connection between individual choice and public (taxpayer) cost was clearly established. So having established there's long-term social cost to smoking we ban it at the local level (city, county, state). [Further establishing the Saint Paul connection.]
But what about other costs? Bad drivers are expensive. There's a new gizmo out that live feeds a driver's speed via satellite to a computer that (chunk a chunk) can tell your insurance company whether or not you're a bad driver (speeding only?). They're piloting it by offering an insurance discount to volunteers who use it. But if we follow the smoking model, then it's foreseeable to make it mandatory. But why limit the cost allocation to insurance? With the gizmo and GPS we can know not only who the bad drivers are, but also what bridges and roads they use. Why not pass on the cost of maintaining the bridges and roads to the people who use them? In that context, what is the role of government in solving problems (getting around) or paying for your stuff (bridges and roads), and making you free (mobile)? --Jennifer Armstrong Payne/Phalen _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
