Red light cameras coming to my town...

[Altitude]

Simple solution, obey the traffic laws and you'll have nothing to worry about. You should probably also check with your local laws as there are lots of places where it is illegal to move into the intersection while waiting to make a turn, you're supposed to wait behind the white line before proceeding when it's safe to do so.

As for voting to pay taxes, there are places where this is being done and my town (Colorado Springs) is one of them. We operate under a law known as TABOR (Tax Payers Bill Of Rights) where the city isn't allowed to institute new taxes without voter approval. One of the problems with this (and there are many) is that the people around here hate taxes and government and rarely vote for tax increases. Consequently the town is falling apart due to budget constraints. Our police and fire departments have been cut, we've sold our police helicopters, trashcans have been removed from the public spaces, the city won't be maintaining our abundant parks this summer, a large number of streetlights have been turned off, our streets are not getting repaired, major businesses have left over the years, on and on. Why? Because with the city facing budget shortfalls they asked for a property tax increase and the people voted it down.

It's a beautiful city to live in with the mountains and Pikes Peak as a backdrop but the infrastructure is crumbling. As a result I've actually decided I will be moving elsewhere in the state as soon as it is feasible. Be careful what you wish for.

[eht13]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

Yes. As long as it's made clear to the person being asked, all of the services they would NOT get if there were no taxes at all.

I am happy to pay taxes. I just want more for my money and different priorities in how they are spent.

Very well said.

Originally Posted by Altitude

As for voting to pay taxes, there are places where this is being done and my town (Colorado Springs) is one of them. We operate under a law known as TABOR (Tax Payers Bill Of Rights) where the city isn't allowed to institute new taxes without voter approval. One of the problems with this (and there are many) is that the people around here hate taxes and government and rarely vote for tax increases. Consequently the town is falling apart due to budget constraints. Our police and fire departments have been cut, we've sold our police helicopters, trashcans have been removed from the public spaces, the city won't be maintaining our abundant parks this summer, a large number of streetlights have been turned off, our streets are not getting repaired, major businesses have left over the years, on and on. Why? Because with the city facing budget shortfalls they asked for a property tax increase and the people voted it down.

Good point. And I bet a lot of those people who voted against taxes are also complaining about the state of things now.