Instead of fining panhandlers who are “too aggressive,” as recommended in a bill this week by state Rep. Mike McCready, R-Bloomfield Hills, most voters in this week’s Heller Poll said what our Legislature should do instead is create fines for lawmakers who waste everyone’s time with stupid ideas.
Fifty two percent, in fact, of the 220 people answering the poll favored that approach, while the rest were split between yes, no and banning everything that made anyone uncomfortable.
I heartily agree with the majority. The problem, though, is that given the torrent of bills, fines and bans the GOP Legislature has proposed or enacted in Michigan over the past few years, most of our lovely lawmakers would end up in the poor house. (Too bad public assistance is hard to get now, eh?)
My favorite comment on the matter came from reader Vera Hogan, who said: “If they’re begging or panhandling, where are they going to get $100 for a fine?”
Clearly, she has no future as a politician.
Image credit: Newtown grafitti
If we start fining lawmakers for stupid ideas (and stupid laws), they too will soon be panhandling. You’ll be able to tell a lawmaker from a legitimate panhandler when you roll up your window and they just keep talking.