GAK, the steady deterioration of the relationship between cops and the rest of us is sad to see. While they have a job I do not envy, it's one they themselves chose to pursue and it seems far too many choose for the wrong reasons.

Not gonna blanketly say all cops are bad or on a power trip, but enough of them are, which makes it ever more difficult for the good ones and all of us they are sworn to "protect and serve". Kinda like Blah mentioned I do my best to stay off the radar in hopes I don't find myself havin to deal with 'em any more than necessary.

With the financial crush cities, counties and states have been increasingly under as tax revenues have declined through high unemployment, falling property values, increasing fuel and operational costs and overall slashing of their budgets in trying to prevent tax increases hoards of new laws have been put on the books in what seems like purely revenue generation schemes as opposed to reasonable governance.

Though we've discussed the seat belt law and its intent/validity here, this law is a perfect example of an extension of the nanny state mentality coupled with the byproduct of major revenue generation as a windfall to its enforcement. In Texas the penalty for this offense is $250 and can have as much as another $100 tacked on in court costs and fees.

Secondly, where in many cases speeding violations used to be considered only when people were doin at least 10mph over the posted limits, many places have now adopted 0 tolerance policies instead, upped their per-mile-fee-over-the-limit, raised the court costs fees, implemented new fees associated with violations, etc., all of which is aimed squarely at revenue generation.

Thirdly many types of offenses have now come to also have mandatory court ordered counseling, education/instructional training or hours of community service work assigned if convicted and these result in the convicted paying hundreds of dollars more while also in many cases additionally decreasing their income by requiring them to miss work to take care of these "side benefits" regarding their offenses.

All the above only serves to widen the chasm between those who enforce the laws and the rest of us.

I really got a chuckle outta your mention of a judge requiring violators of the law having to ironically feed the homeless. That would be a hoot to see happen