More about private property…

I found someone who supports my idea of private property.

I happen to be a supporter of the notion that MY property, the same that I PAY taxes on, is mine.  That means, when municipal or state authorities want to take a piece of someone’s property to enlarge a road or to put in a jug-handle, then they are infringing upon that person’s right to private property… unless they PAY you for it.  Then, at times, people are screwed by government when it takes without asking.

Why would we be so surprised?  The American government did the same… exact… thing to the Native Americans.  It took the land away from them through bribery (with alcohol), wordy treaties that weren’t adhered to, and false promises.  In a way, government does that to the people every… single… day.  Right?  In other words… as our government grows more independent of the “People,” then it becomes a hinderance to OUR Constitutional rights…

I won’t even get started on voting laws and grandfather clauses… or should I?  What about the earnestness in action that it took to prevent certain “groups” from obtaining voting rights… women, blacks, other minorities, and even Indians.  What jams a rock in my keister is when our government acts so mightily righteous in persuading OTHER countries on a course of action… you know, to perpetuate democracy… when in our OWN country there are poor people stuffed under carpets, illegal immigrants crossing borders, criminals being set free because of lack of “room” in prisons and jails, as well as inconsistencies in the enactment of law. 

Recently, while perusing my town forum, someone started barking about police officers using hand-held phones are exonerated from punishment because they are using the phone “in the course of their duty.”

How many times have you seen police officers, while ON duty, breaking the law?  Do you actually believe that ALL police officers (from municipal to county to state and federal) uphold the law?  Or, do you accept that they are above the law?

I have a gigantic beef with government today.  In a black-and-white world, everyone would be held accountable to the law.  However, we live in a world where there are different shades of gray.  No where will there be an exact enforcement of law that is equitable… meaning, the law applied to EVERY citizen EQUALLY and without EMOTION.  Because, let’s face it… if the police officer is in a BAD mood, he/she will most likely give you a ticket for the most benign thing as opposed to letting you off with a warning.  The same is applied if you give the officer an attitude.  However, how many times have police let one of their own off… covering the offense with an excuse or this stupid “blue wall of silence?” 

Let us not forget the inequal justice the accused face in the courts.  Some will get the book thrown at them while others, such as Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie, who are arrested for DUI or some other motor vehicle offense and are given 15 minutes jail time while others are put in jail for 18 months or more… inclusive of fines and other fees, not to mention a gigantic rise in their auto insurance.  And, rightly so.  However, the law is the law and therefore when one person is targeted for an offense, others who are committing the SAME or worse, should receive similar (or more harsh, depending on the severity) punishments.

Our judicial system is swayed too easily by power and money.  Celebrities such as OJ Simpson and Robert Blake can get away with murder…literally.  And, each and every time one of these individuals runs into a parked car, shoots bullets into a neighbor’s yard, or kills their spouse, I get sick to my stomach because *I* know full well that whatever the punishment is, it will not fit the crime.

…yet, the ordinary, common folk are held to a judicial bar that will not consistently show leniency.  Why is that?  Aren’t we all citizens of the same country?

So, back to my original point from earlier today.  MY property, is mine.  I pay taxes on it.  I keep it groomed and appealing.  All of my vehicles are registered AND insured and are not sitting on blocks or serve as planters.  My INDOOR furniture remains INDOORS… while my OUTDOOR furniture doesn’t collect old batteries, broken coolers, or whatever ungodly shit I see my neighbors collecting in THEIR yards.  My grass is regularly cut.  My leaves are raked and disposed of properly.  My house meets all codes and then some.  I pay my mortgage and taxes regularly (though, occasionally a few days late).  I do not commit crimes.  I am not a child molester, drug dealer, prostitute or child abuser.  My children go to school regularly.  I work, when I’m able to FIND work.  I do not obstruct the utility companies from viewing my meter.  What I’m saying is that I’m really tired of my town picking on us… even if it isn’t regularly, because there are OTHER people in OTHER houses that should be bugged… from the two family duplexes with sectional sofas on their porches and a truckload of broken toys in the yard… to the one neighbor with four vehicles on their grass (of which, maybe only 1 works)… to the OTHER neighbor with the race car in their yard that they LOVE to start and rev-up at 7am on a Sunday.  I can also mention the neighbor with his/her entire house interior on their porch and in their driveway…

Sure, I’m angry.  I’m righteously angry.  I’m so furious that I can feel something welling up from within… and I think this scares my husband.  I think he’s afraid that I’m going to open my mouth… and as a result, we’re going to get hammered with fines.

Bring it, I say.  I’m sick and tired of this freaking town taking advantage of the decent-taxpayers by harassing them while ignoring the frequent law-breakers that mar the reputation of my town.  If that means I get on my soapbox publicly while holding a sign that says, “the world is ending,” then so be it.

Though… in MY town, I’d get a ticket for having a sign that isn’t “to code.”

So, again… where is the law that is supposed to protect ME?