Have I got a tale for you... OK, it goes something like this. Not long ago(January 4th, to be exact), I got off of work, and went to visit a friend at his house. He lives next to a bank, and a lot of people usually just park in the bank's parking lot. I always did before, and i never got a ticket(there was a "parking for bank customers only" sign). However, this time was different. I parked there, because it was extremely cold(-30 with wind chill, the forecasts had said, what the actual temperature was, I don't know. But it sure felt damn cold!!!) Anyways, we were up in his apartment, looking out, and a cop was "surveying" the area, and he gave everyone parked there a ticket. So, I got a $5.00 fine. I thought about this, and I got more irate about it the more I thought. So, I wrote a letter to the police, and this is how it went...
Re: PRIVATE PROPERTY AND VIOLATIONS OF SUCH
To Whom it may concern,
I have recently received a fine in the amount of $5.00, for parking in violation of a no parking sign. And, having the deepest respect for property rights(one of the primary foundations upon which this country was founded), I am paying this fine. Enclosed in the pink envelope, you will find a check for the amount of $6.00. Unfortunately(for you, the local government), I am not sending this money in order to pay the bloated bureaucracy of government. I am instead, respecting the principle of private property rights, and request that the five dollars go the bank whose property I violated. I realize that there was an officer needed to uphold this property right, and as such, I enclose a 20% “tax” to help pay for the cost of that officer(this is the extra dollar added to the original $5.00 fine).
Philosophically, I find this policy of fining citizens who violate private property, in order to pay public servants, immoral, and unjust. This country was founded upon the right to not have your property violated (read the bill of rights to see what I mean...) The question in this argument is, what did I violate? Did I violate the officer’s(the one who enforced this law) peace, safety, property, or life? Or, did I violate a public property(ie: parking in a street for too long a time, or a public park too late at night)? Or, is this the truth; I violated a corporation’s right to do what they want with their property, the property that they bought and paid taxes on. I believe the latter is correct. And as such, I believe compensation is due to the “victim”(in this case, the bank). I could go into a personal, emotional reason as to why I parked there(the weather/temperature, endangerment of my health) however, I will not, because I did violate the banks property. I didn’t see “No parking unless wind chill makes the temperature -30” on the sign, I saw, “Parking for bank customers only”. And in accordance with respect to their wishes, I am paying this $5.00 fine to them.
It appears that the government is a bloated democracy, and that an incredible amount of money is needed to keep it afloat. The officer which gave me my ticket was doing his job, and as such, he deserves to get paid. This is the reason I am paying the 20% tax of mine. This dollar is to go directly to officer Ott’s pocket to pay for part of his wage that hour he gave me my fine.
It is my wish that perhaps someday America will understand the principles of property rights it was founded upon, lest it degrade further down the path of Fascism. By fascism, I am referring to the economic policies of a fascist government. One that claims to believe in private property, but in which the government declares what one must do with his/her own property(which is happening in America this day). For references, I suggest John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine. If this government does not wish to respect private property rights, and keep the $5.00 I demand that the bank is notified of my offer, and that they understand that they have been violated of just compensation, and also that my $1.00 is returned. Should the bank receive the money in compensation, they should understand the purpose of the compensation. Thus, I request a copy of this letter is made for the bank, and is promptly handed to them, whether they receive the money or not. It is my hope that this simple letter can open the eyes of my fellow Americans to the concept of the rights of private property... Should the bank not receive the money that is due them, I shall lose respect for my government in a way this I have never lost before. Furthermore, should the government not choose to compensate the bank, and I receive not my $1.00, I will demand my dollar be given back, or sue for theft.
Now, my question is... Why? Why the hell can the government collect money for a fine, when it's the banks property I violated. I went to pick up the dollar 2 days ago, and the chief was in a meeting. So, I didn't get to talk to him. All I'm going to do is simply ask... "What is the legal justification? That's all I want to know. We don't have to have a debate. As a member of our community, I have a right to know the laws, and the reasons for them. If you don't know, point me to someone who will be able to answer my question.(in this case, I'm assuming he's going to tell me to see some judge around here.)" you know, the sad thing is... I bet he doesn't even know why he is legally able to do that. I bet he has no clue whatsoever... Nothing like having enforcers of the law that don't even know what the law is, or the reason for it.
If you see my point, or have any answers on the question, please e-mail me and let me know. If you have had a similar experience, or have some questions, I'd be glad to discuss...
btw, i accidentally said "bloated democracy in one paragraph, and I meant bloated bureaucracy(I know, I said that twice in the letter, but oh well...)
I just though of something now. How could the chief say "I am not going to waste time sending you a refund" yet, he can type up a letter, and send it out. Would it have taken that much longer to write a freakin' check and send it to me? I guess, perhaps, because of all the paper work involved, you know... Take the money out, write a check, all that hard bureaucratic work... Hmm, maybe he's not really concerned about wasting tax-payer money, or saving time, but just wants to see if I'm serious about getting the dollar back. I don't know...
Peace,
-dave