This is just a foot in the door. First they charge the out-of-towners (folks who can’t vote them out of office), then they shift to charging everyone.

Taxes, the argument will go, provide a public safety (police or fire or paramedic) presence. If you use those services (or cause them to be used), that’s extra.

The same model is used by utility companies today. How much of your electric bill pays for electricity and how much for infrastructure and overhead? Same idea.

This will result, in effect, in public safety for the rich, and the threat of an additional bill for all others. Those who cant afford it won’t call, even when they clearly are the victim. What do they gain if the system sees it otherwise and their call changes nothing but results in a bill?

This lowers public service a form of animal husbandry.

Section 1.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

***

From the article

Agents for Kentucky Farm Bureau, the largest property and casualty insurer in the state, usually refuse to pay the charges.

“Insurance policies will cover you when you’re liable or negligent. But in this situation, unless there’s some sort of hazardous spill or something, there’s no liability,” spokesman Greg Kosse said.

So, I’m wondering how they can collect this “debt”

I wonder how much the city will pay out in lawsuit settlements.

This story is about the ultra-right wing Cincinnati, Ohio. Not the liberal (and beautiful) San Francisco. It’s a typical conservative idea.

And, the notion that suburbs are safer is a myth.

Take a look at how San Francisco tried to prevent the Blue Angels during Fleet Week which is a huge financial windfall for the city.

Remember their refusal to provide a homeport for the retired battleship Iowa, which would be turned into a tourist attracting museum.

If the plan to fine non-city dwellers takes off, it will be just one more reason for sane people to avoid major down-town cities, like San Francisco, and conduct their business in safer suburban areas.

the problem is that some people actually believe that government can be cheap, but that is because they are stupid

consider: do you have any idea how much it cost just to salt the roads in winter? plow them? how about just paying someone to sweep them once in a while? keep schools open? clear the roads after an accident or storm? have firehouses? put police on the street? house criminals in jails? send out building inspectors? hold elections? run courts? pay off extortion money to the NFL/MLB/NBA/ETC. and build them lavish new stadiums and watch them leave town anyway? pay off extortion money to lure and keep companies who promise jobs then leave anyway? implement policies enacted, but not funded by politicians in washington who are looking for headlines? good grief man! imagine the bill just to gas up cars for the average city police department!

our cities are getting screwed from every angle — it’s no wonder that anyone who can afford the suburbs run there.

Just because you don’t live in a city doesn’t mean your taxes aren’t helping fund them. The federal gov gives money to local police forces to fund their operations.

The gov can’t figure out how to keep funding itself the traditional way so it just starts billing people. A tax is a tax is a tax.

I wonder if you could request a cop from your hometown to come and handle the accident? If I am going to pay someone, I would prefer it be my local community.