The Need For Speed Vs The Need For $$

Our state officially turned off the freeway photo radar speed cameras last night at 11:59 pm.  The cameras were installed two years ago, with the promise of reducing accidents and bringing in much needed cash.  They have done both.

But a consistent, loud minority got their way.  The need-for-speed group had two main objections: one, that the cameras were only there to make $$ for the state and the second that the cameras were an invasion of privacy.  First, the cameras did make $$, just not as much as was projected ($39m per year vs $90m that was estimated).  But what they tried to ignore was the fact that the freeways with cameras became safer. Fewer accidents, injuries and loss of life.  Second, what expectation of privacy can you have while driving on a public street surrounded by other driver's prying eyes?

So why turn the cameras off?  The interim governor is running for election for a full term and needs her base to like her best.  And the head of the department of public safety (who she appointed) was concerned about the public image of his department.  Really?  He wanted to put more officers on the roads to enforce the laws.  What he didn't explain is where he would get them.  His department is understaffed with vacant positions because of a hiring freeze.  Public image vs safety?  We'll see.

And about the loss of $39m a year in the face of a budget crisis?  The governor's spokesman replied with a smile: "The governor has taken that into account in her budget".  Translation:  we just threw away $39m to appease those with a need for speed.

Chill Baby Chill

Every day that I read the opinion page in the local newspaper and especially letters to the editor I'm troubled to see the anger and partisanship.  I wonder how some of the writers arrived at their opinions and conclusions.  Yes, everybody is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.  Either they don't know the facts or they do and don't want to accept them.

It's time to chill out.  Stop the angry screeching.  There are some in politics, both federal and state, who are feeding the partisan frenzy for their own political ends and not our greater good.  But that's been going on since 1776 and won't stop today.  The danger is that more people are buying into the rants and accepting them as facts rather than the partisan gamesmanship they are.  Stirring the pot too hard can have unpleasant consequences.

One popular theme is to blame"Washington" for things we don't like, whatever "Washington" means.  For example, our governor rails against the failure of Washington to secure our border on the one hand and then accuses Washington of interfering with the State's affairs on the other.  She is joined by most members of her party, including our two U.S. Senators who have served for decades in "Washington".  Apparently they had nothing to do with our current problems and have been given a pass by her.  Curious who is responsible if they aren't.

I Don't Get It.

I've been wondering lately why people believe the things they do.  Why can they be so stubborn?  For example, our governor, a U.S. senator and others keep telling us how bad crime is in our state, how most of the illegal immigrants are working for the Mexican drug cartels and that they commit most of the crime in our county. And that our border is dangerous and out of control.  But the Border Patrol, The FBI and other law enforcement officials say the facts don't support those statements.  And they say it's not even close.

The people making those claims are smart people.  They have access to the same facts as we do.  So why do they keep it up?  There are several possible explanations.  One, it is an election year and making voters afraid can get votes.  But when someone keeps repeating things that have been shown to be false, don't we call that lying?  And what does it say about the integrity of the person running for office or who support someone who is?

A second reason why people refuse to change their beliefs is simply human nature.  We tend to do things (and think things) because we have always done them that way.  We all have our comfort zones both physically and mentally.  Beliefs are not always rational but are emotional and come from the gut.  And changing beliefs is slow.  But there is a difference between those who recognize the facts and choose not to change and those whose beliefs trump all else regardless of the facts. For example, look back on our civil rights movements, the fight for Womens Rights, including their right just to vote!  Add apartheid and the middle east and you see how powerful beliefs and mental comfort zones are.

Thirdly, we haven't done a very good job of educating our society.  Public education has been in its comfort zone for a long time.  We test on facts but not thinking.  We make students recite the Pledge Of Allegiance daily but don't explain the words or why they have to do it.  We teach arithmetic and counting but not how to spend wisely.  They do learn how to be consumers and expect immediate gratification though.

And don't blame our kids--we're guilty too.  We know we should get our information from more than one source and not believe everything we see and hear on TV and the internet.  We know we should set an example and act responsibly  but we don't always (and in some cases rarely).  We know we should vote in every election not just every four years.

I hate to admit the possibility that there may well be people in positions of political and economic power who like us just the way we are:  "Take our word for it", don't pay attention to the facts, be fearful about the future and your safety and just keep spending.  I hope I'm wrong.