If your legislature (state, federal, local) wants to pass a truly lousy piece of legislation, one sure-fire way is to call in the press, appoint a spokesman, and twist the subject such that this wonderful new law will be "for the children."
I think all of us are witnessing state revenue agencies grasping for money by hook or crook. A couple years ago, Tennessee passed a law which requires cashiers at grocery, convenience, or liquor stores to REQUIRE anyone purchasing alcohol products to show their drivers' license. When the law was passed, the sponsors made a big splash on TV telling us that this "visionary new law" would help solve Tennessee's underage drinking problem, and "salvage the lives of so many of our young people." Prior to the law, the cashiers were required to force birth documentation for purchasers whose appearance would indicate "age 30 or younger."
The state is sending enforcement agents, who are grizzled veterans in their 50s, to stores to see if cashiers are selling them beer without showing license, even if they were obviously over the age limit of 21. Cashiers are inclined to pass over the requirement, especially when long lines form and the buyer is obviously old enough. This is resulting in fines and charges against these cashiers.
Why? The REAL story is Tennessee wants to control its finances by the withholding of drivers' licenses. They are more interested in the buyer having a drivers' license than they are stopping some 16-yr old kid buying booze. A license is, from the standpoint of law, a privilege and not a right. Don't pay your property taxes, traffic tickets, child support, or any number of other revenue items involving the state, and they jerk your license. They don't care whether you pay your debt to your neighbor or department store, only if you don't pay STATE money.
I am not supporting deadbeats who don't pay their obligations. But also don't support lawmakers who tag-team with taxing agencies and cook up these schemes under false pretenses.
I'm sure Tennessee is not the only place with lawmakers devious enough to use this tagline. "For the children" baloney... Coming soon to a taxing authority near YOU.
I think all of us are witnessing state revenue agencies grasping for money by hook or crook. A couple years ago, Tennessee passed a law which requires cashiers at grocery, convenience, or liquor stores to REQUIRE anyone purchasing alcohol products to show their drivers' license. When the law was passed, the sponsors made a big splash on TV telling us that this "visionary new law" would help solve Tennessee's underage drinking problem, and "salvage the lives of so many of our young people." Prior to the law, the cashiers were required to force birth documentation for purchasers whose appearance would indicate "age 30 or younger."
The state is sending enforcement agents, who are grizzled veterans in their 50s, to stores to see if cashiers are selling them beer without showing license, even if they were obviously over the age limit of 21. Cashiers are inclined to pass over the requirement, especially when long lines form and the buyer is obviously old enough. This is resulting in fines and charges against these cashiers.
Why? The REAL story is Tennessee wants to control its finances by the withholding of drivers' licenses. They are more interested in the buyer having a drivers' license than they are stopping some 16-yr old kid buying booze. A license is, from the standpoint of law, a privilege and not a right. Don't pay your property taxes, traffic tickets, child support, or any number of other revenue items involving the state, and they jerk your license. They don't care whether you pay your debt to your neighbor or department store, only if you don't pay STATE money.
I am not supporting deadbeats who don't pay their obligations. But also don't support lawmakers who tag-team with taxing agencies and cook up these schemes under false pretenses.
I'm sure Tennessee is not the only place with lawmakers devious enough to use this tagline. "For the children" baloney... Coming soon to a taxing authority near YOU.
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