David Marcucci's Doorstep

I just learned of a new “policy” put in place at the Massachusetts’ RMV branches, a $5 fee just for going there.  That’s right, want to go the RMV and do business? Well it’s going to cost you $5 dollars more.  Beginning March 1st, 2010 there will be a “$5 branch counter fee on licensing and registration transactions” according to the official web site.  They call it an “incentive”  for people to go online rather then drive to a branch to complete these transactions. I call it bulls**t.

First off, how about a $5 discount for using the online service?  That’s call an “incentive”. Penalizing people for going to a branch is called a “deterrent”.  We all know that the greedy, grubby hands down at the RMV, DOT, and governor’s office wouldn’t think of offering to charge less for something. That’s just silly.  Secondly, you should be giving the poor people who have to go down to a RMV branch $5 just for having to deal with some of the state’s worst employees. Most of the people I have dealt with down there are nasty and rude, not to mention they seem put out when you ask them to do their job. There have been some exceptions, but they are by far the exception.

This has to stop. The state just keeps asking for more and more and continues to give less and less. We need to start holding our elected officials accountable for this nonsense. Unfortunately I believe we need to remove them from office.  The fact is the elected officials today have a mindset that they can do anything they want and the people of this state will just take it. We need to start sending messages to beacon hill, continue your nonsense and you’ll be out of a job.

Next time you vote I hope you remember all the fees and taxes the state charges you and the very little you get in return.  I know I will.

Ref: Effective March 1, Online, Mail & Automated Services Will Cost Less than Branch Services

I thought MA was bad…check out this beauty of a law in OK. So I have a couple questions. Does a locked door count? How about a closed door? This text is pretty vague. What if you intent is to “fortify” against criminals but not law enforcement? Does the state have to prove intent? I’m all for law abiding, I just want the laws to be reasonable and clear.

Oklahoma has a new law that makes it a crime to “fortify” a citizen’s home against possible entry by law enforcement.

State Rep. Sue Tibbs was one of the sponsors of a bill that makes it unlawful for “any person to willfully fortify an access point into any dwelling, structure, building or other place where a felony offense prohibited by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act is being committed, or attempted, and the fortification is for the purpose of preventing or delaying entry or access by a law enforcement officer, or to harm or injure a law enforcement officer in the performance of official duties.”

The law took effect Nov. 1.

The law states that to “fortify an access point” means to willfully construct, install, position, use or hold any material or device designed to injure a person upon entry or to strengthen, defend, restrict or obstruct any door, window or other opening into a dwelling, structure, building or other place to any extent beyond the security provided by a commercial alarm system, lock or deadbolt, or a combination of alarm, lock or deadbolt.

The law carries punishment of imprisonment of not more than five years or by a fine up to $10,000 or by both.

Source: Tibbs’ law makes it illegal to ‘fortify’ a private home | Tulsa Beacon.