Would you want to have UK-style licensing laws?

[Kal]

I'm such a selfish bastrd.

I've skimmed over this whole topic and noticed some heated arguement going on. Did I read it? Did I pay attention? Did I bother to follow the details of the discussion?

No.

I just looked for someone to quote me and thought, "Man, no one quoted me and said anything about my initial response. Bummer."

There you go, I quoted you. Does that feel better now?

95% participation due to fines if you do not vote. Simple, it works. Voting is a right, not voting is a right too. Oh, and I love how personal you get about this

Voting is a responsibility not a right, you're the same kind of person that thinks having kids is a right not a responsibility.

Can we have an ignore button on the forum? I'm feeling the need to fly over to this guys home and pi55 in his boots.

[storysunfolding]

Didn't someone invent an ignore function for firefox back in the days of verm?

[Brackstone]

I understand you're reasoning here but I just don't believe if there were less injuries that required hospitalization that our state would tax us less. But then again I guess I'm a "Government is out to rip us off" kind of guy.

They wouldn't be taxing us less....but the premiums we pay for health care will go up.


So your saying that by forcing people to start out on a 250cc bike you'll discourage all the people that would normally only buy a 1000cc cause it would be un-cool to have anything else. And also assuming that these people are better off not riding at all since they'd probably just do something stupid?
In a manner of speaking, yes. I don't know what the demographics are like where you live, but around here, big powerful sport bikes are very popular. The majority of the riders of those bikes are young men new to riding. In the last few years, there have been quite a few of those very riders who within days of getting their learner's permit and purchasing their new bike have been killed. They did not have the skills or the experience to handle a powerful sport bike. This is why a graduated system would be good. In that way...if the kids who only get a bike because they think it is cool might think twice if they have to start out on a small bike. If they truly have a desire to learn to ride, then they should have lessons and gain a decent skill set before moving up.
There is enough carnage on the roads without those yahoos adding to it.


Again I just don't agree that there we would be spending less money if xyz would happen. See above

It's like the Garden State Parkway here in Jersey. They put tolls up to pay for the road so we could have it. They said as soon as the road was done and pay for the tolls would go down. The tolls are still there and the roads been paid off for years now.
The road may have been paid off but the revenue from the tolls help to pay for maintenance. Similar to our Coquihalla Hwy. The tolls pay for the snow plows and road repair.

When you find a stream of revenue you don't let go and that's what taxes are.
As much as we don't like paying taxes, they are necessary. Do you think we get clean water to drink, street lighting, fire departments, police departments, hospitals, prisons for the criminals, parks, etc., for free? We all need to pay a share for them.
What we don't want to do is pay for a share of the upkeep for someone who negligently caused his own head injury. (NOTE....negligently)

ps.....would you expect any less from someone who is a driver trainer and professional driver? (Me)

Blue,

I respect your opinion on all of this. If there was a notable decrease in me paying for something anywhere in my life I'd sign my name to it. I just don't think that would happen is all.

Like gas prices keep going up and up but Exxon just broke all the records for most US profit anywhere. Where is the corporate responsibility to take care of the consumer?

I know oil market this, global economy that, but obviously if Exxon is raking in this much money why can't they take a hit on the gas?

That's just how I feel in this area.

[Kal]

Where is the corporate responsibility to take care of the consumer?

There is none.

A corporation's responsibilities start and end with a responsibility to make a profit for it's shareholders.

[Brackstone]

Where is the corporate responsibility to take care of the consumer?

There is none.

A corporation's responsibilities start and end with a responsibility to make a profit for it's shareholders.

That's exactly my point.

That's why I'm saying helmet laws would not bring down health insurance premiums, or lower taxes, or save baby elephants. It wouldn't do anything except maybe save some lives which in it of itself is not reason enough for me.

[Kal]

Mmm not seeing your point.

The more a persons treatment costs the more tax money is required to fund it, the more the tax payer is taxed.

There isn't a magic bucket that the health services are funded out of.

[Fast Eddy B]

Mmm not seeing your point.

The more a persons treatment costs the more tax money is required to fund it, the more the tax payer is taxed.

There isn't a magic bucket that the health services are funded out of.

I don't think people here realise the differences between the two counties health systems. They are vastly different. In the UK even as a foreigner on a visa I paid only £6.75 for a prescription. Any prescription. And that's because I made too much money to qualify for free prescriptions as the elderly, students and unemployed do.

So it makes sense for the Britons and the Canadians to be saying what they are saying, and for the American to keep believeing the hype of his home country.

We're not talking about helmet laws, and training systems any more. This is about political world view, not changed on a motorcycle message forum.

But why are we all so interested? The Troll is Dead, Long Live the Troll!

[totalmotorcycle]

Please remember to keep it clean and respect ALL opinions, not just those you agree with.

Let's keep it useful, helpful and friendly.

Mike

[Kal]

Ooooooooooooooooh Mike...

[storysunfolding]

Ooooooooooooooooh Mike...

Where would we be without him?