Here in Phoenix, the governor, Janet Napolitano, is currently attempting to put in dozens of speed cameras, specifically for revenue. They don’t even hide it anymore. It’s never been about safety, so now they just out and say it: “We’re doing this for money.” Disturbing and scary stuff.

But it’s hard to know what to do to fight back. How do I respond to that?

90% accuracy could mean only that 90% of solo drivers get caught. This doesn’t necessarily mean that 10% of carpoolers will be incorrectly flagged. A test for 2 people in the vehicle that has a bunch of false positives by no false negatives could work just fine.

I’m sure the government would fix that type of failure rate, I’m not so sure they would have a problem with false negatives (a person in the car who doesn’t get counted). How would you even be able to fight this type of ticket. It would be darn hard to prove that you actually did have someone in the car with you (that friend you brought along to testify is probably just lieing to help you).

I explained that it is in our nature. We are “Citizens”. They are “Subjects”. I made it a point to emphasize that I was not being insulting, but that it shows a fundamental difference in how government is related to.

The Aussies do a lot of scameras, but they too are or were Subjects of the British Empire. We just have a gut reaction to this sort of govt. intrusion. On the other hand, England has surveillance cameras everywhere and ASBOs. (antisocial behavior orders).

I don’t want to be england. We don’t have the same background or attitude, due to some unpleasantness in the late 1700’s.

I cannot tolerate all the American politicos who get on the soapbox and tout the latest scamera, “Just like in Europe”.