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 By Jack Lepiarz Apr. 15, 2007 On the first day of my winter break, back in December, I was pulled over by a police officer and received my first ticket ever. It wasn't terrible--I didn't get any points on my license and my insurance didn't go up, but I did have to pay 47 dollars because I wasn't wearing my seat belt. Last night, my governor, Jon Corzine was in accident and is now in critical condition--because he wasn't wearing his seat belt. This right here is a disgusting example of hypocrisy that, to be perfectly honest makes me much angrier than it ought. But at the same time, this man is responsible for the state laws of New Jersey--he is the executive branch--the one that's supposed to enforce the laws. So I say we should do something even more absurd than making someone pay money for choosing not to protect themselves (and only themselves). I want Governor Corzine to pay back every single citizen who has had to pay for a seat belt violation during his term. Now, I know what you're thinking--Jack, that's way too much money, he can't afford to pay back every single person in the entire state. I disagree. This is a man spent several million dollars on a Senate race in 2000, and even more money running one of the dirtiest gubernatorial campaigns in 2005. Obviously, the man has cash to spend. Of course, that's a bit excessive, so of course that's not going to happen. But in all honesty, I do think that he should pay the 47 dollar fine that everyone else has to pay when they break that law. Once he does that, I want to see a law repealing the state seat belt law. It's, quite plainly and simply, an infringement on my rights to the pursuit of happiness. I can understand laws that outlaw smoking in public places or speeding, since those actions can be harmful to other people, but not wearing a seatbelt? That only affects me. If I get in a car crash and I'm not wearing a seatbelt, it's not going to affect the other driver, it's not going to put his life at risk. The only person I'm endangering is myself, and I think that I ought to be able to choose to ignore the risk there. I mean, seriously, if I'm allowed to ignore the dangers of smoking, I should be able to ignore the risks of not wearing a seatbelt. 85,000 people die every year from car accidents. 400,000 people die from smoking. Why is there a law for seat belts and not for tobacco? I don't know. I really don't know. ------------ About the author: Jack Lepiarz is an 18-year-old college student at Emerson College in Boston. He also co-hosts the Katherine and Jack Show on UthTV.com and has been performing various circus talents for the past several years. Though often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open mind and treat others the way he would like to be treated. Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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