Police vs. the Citizens, An Extreme Example?
Is it something from a television drama? A hard-boiled detective novel? No, it happened in
Jericho, Arkansas.
JERICHO, Ark. (AP) - It was just too much, having to return to court twice on the same day to contest yet another traffic ticket, and Fire Chief Don Payne didn't hesitate to tell the judge what he thought of the police and their speed traps.
The response from cops? They shot him. Right there in court.
Follow the link to read the rest of the story.
Now, maybe it is just me, but it seems that there is more of this "us vs. them" dynamic in government/citizen relations. While this may be an extreme example, we see this sort of abuse of the citizen by government at all levels. Even right here in Augusta County we've seen 1000s turn out and over 10,000 sign a petition (out of a population of approximately 71,500) opposing increases in property taxes be ignored and ridiculed by the members of the Board of Supervisors. The city of New London, Connecticut began a modern movement of condemnation of private property to be turned over to other private interests in order to increase the tax base and it was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. We have a congressional Representative (Slaughter of NY) who feels it is beneath her "dignity" to meet in a town hall with her constituents (ostensibly the folks who elect her). Representative Charlie Rangel writes tax law but can't pay his taxes, can't even report his assets, as required by law. The Secretary of the Treasury couldn't pay his taxes. These are just a few examples of the arrogant attitude of our "representatives" in government at all levels. Why? Because we re-elect them. Because we don't force their prosecution. Because we don't speak up.
Labels: Criminals in Power
