Mr. Man-ners (38): Big Brother and Surveillance Cameras, Going Crazy and Tree-Huggers

Dear Mr. Man-ners:
Big brother is watching! I hear that Arizona added cameras on the freeways to catch speeders. And I hear they’re adding them on Fullerton Avenue in Chicago. Supposedly Chicago made 90 million (that’s what I heard, can’t be sure if it’s right) on their red-light cams. Plus in Chicago they just raised taxes over a dollar a pack on cigarettes (supposedly to discourage smokers). What is it with the government? How come they want to have so much say in our comings and goings (and smoking)?
A Concerned Citizen

Dear A Concerned Citizen:
I doubt it’s all about our comings and goings! It’s more likely all about our money. KaChing! KaChing! I agree it’s not right to put all these surveillance cameras into place (where will we ever feel private and alone again?). But it makes them boat loads of money. So does the cigarette tax. And how else will these politicians be able to pay their self-imposed pay raises? It happened with the debit cards. Remember, they said they would save banks money (less tellers) then when everyone was hooked (LIKE cigarettes!) they said “Oh we have to charge to recoup the cost” (Haven’t they recouped the R&D costs yet?). Now it can cost upwards of $5 or $6 just to get at your own money! It happened with the toll way in Chicago (remember that toll roads were supposed to only be there for a LIMITED time and then end—JUST like income taxes!). Now they’ve found a way to charge twice as much if you don’t use one of their “Responders”. How fair is that to out of state people? Plus, NOW they can ticket you for speeding or NOT paying with the responder if you should ACCIDENTLY get in that lane. NONE of this is to HELP/PROTECT/LEVEL THE COST. It’s all about MAKING LOTS OF MONEY! What I TRULY want to know is with ALL these new cameras going into place all over the country (MY SUGGESTION IS TO BUY THESE STOCKS NOW!)….will they actually give us the statistics about how many people get injured/killed because people are slowing down/slamming on breaks so they don’t get a ticket? I doubt it. But I’m just waiting the day when someone sues the municipalities because of a wrongful death suit! Then let’s see how much money they have to pay out of these boatloads of money!
Mr. Man-ners

Dear Mr. Man-ners:
I’m so scared. My mother freaked out when I was a kid. Now, she didn’t know I knew it. But I saw her go running outside and hug a tree! My father had to go out and coax her back inside. I was surprised to find her home when I awoke. I was certain the men in white suits came during the night and took her away. As an adult, I’m so scared this will happen to me. Any advice?
Scared Little Boy

Dear Scared Little Boy:
More like Scarred Little Boy! Sounds like your mother had some problems. Sorry about that. But get a clue, that doesn’t mean you’ll turn out the same. Do you want my advice? My real advice? If it hasn’t happened yet, it probably won’t! But to be safe, I would NEVER buy a house with a tree. On the other hand, perhaps your mother was just a tree-hugger!
Mr. Man-ners