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Exactly how hard is it not to get a parking ticket?
In some places, signs are not placed in such a way that everyone will notice. And sometimes parking is so restricted that your only options are to simply go back home or "take the risk". Have you never had this happen? What would you do if you were going to an important meeting or event and there was only "2-hour parking" for a 3 hour event? Risk the ticket, or give up and go home?
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Originally Posted by boxus
To keep registration up to date? I would think a poor person would be even more on top of it given they would not want to owe the money.
Sometimes the registration fee itself can be quite high. Worse yet, in states with ad valorem taxes, the state demands an annual payment that can be hundreds of dollars even for a relatively modest vehicle. Poor people often have choices to make like whether to pay the rent or the personal property tax bill. For someone near the federal poverty level, a $300 tax/registration bill can make the difference between complying with the law and "living on borrowed time".
The two times I've been unfortunate enough to be in a tow yard, they also had very burly menacing looking people in the reclaim office, and signs saying you better behave in here. Because all day long, they're dealing with people who are outraged and indignant. Not a job I'd want, although it is lucrative.
In some places, signs are not placed in such a way that everyone will notice. And sometimes parking is so restricted that your only options are to simply go back home or "take the risk". Have you never had this happen? What would you do if you were going to an important meeting or event and there was only "2-hour parking" for a 3 hour event? Risk the ticket, or give up and go home?
No, I have never had a parking ticket. If you know it is two hour parking but still go over that amount, sorry, live with the consequences. If you want to take the risk, fine, but live with the consequences.
Again, despite all my driving not only in the US, but all over the world, I have never had a parking ticket, and that includes my numerous trip driving around San Francisco.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ncole1
Sometimes the registration fee itself can be quite high. Worse yet, in states with ad valorem taxes, the state demands an annual payment that can be hundreds of dollars even for a relatively modest vehicle. Poor people often have choices to make like whether to pay the rent or the personal property tax bill. For someone near the federal poverty level, a $300 tax/registration bill can make the difference between complying with the law and "living on borrowed time".
Well, if you cannot afford your car, you should not have one. San Francisco has an excellent public trans system, so it is not like a car is needed to get around there. If California's registration fees are so high, perhaps they should lower them? Perhaps people should vote in representatives that will lower them? But seems to me they are satisfied with such fees. Elections have consequences, lol.
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"I don't understand. But I don't care, so it works out."
(set 7 days ago)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StcLurker
Good for him, I honestly mean that. However, the majority of towing companies don't have that kind of money. Most are small businesses with a handful of trucks and employees, the cost of towing in cars that don't get picked up can add up quickly.
I think that's because the majority of tow operations are the kind that people welcome.
You call them if your car is stuck, or won't start, or is wrecked, and they come at your request for not much money and move your car. They may not have the ability to store ANY cars, at all.
It's the other kind, who are on contract to come tow at the request of someone other than the owner, and they own an enormous lot on the outskirts of town, and make their money basically out of ransom, not for their needed towing service.
Of course everyone realizes that. But there is also the problem of the Government seizing property in order to pay overdue vehicle registration or parking tickets. I'm surprised at all the free market ideologues and libertarians who don't see how wrong that is.
I thought it was incredibly profound. And true. And written by a wealthy successful woman who tried to make it on the salary of a full time walmart employee. And couldn't.
It's neither profound, nor true.
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You have to realize, that people who work full time at walmart (or in a housekeeping service, or at a diner) are subsidizing your cheap luxuries.
Wrong again. A Wal-Mart worker exchanging their labor for a market determined wage isn't subsidizing me, nor anyone else.
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And it is uncomfortable to look that in the face. That the "working poor" we give very grudging respect to are supporting your wealthy lifestyle. It is because of them, that your life is so much easier and convenient.
No working poor support my lifestyle.
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But I guess perspective is everything, and you somehow know better than she.
The issue isn't perspective, but rather, reality. What you are trying to portray here is most certainly not reality.
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"I don't understand. But I don't care, so it works out."
(set 7 days ago)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TaxPhd
It's neither profound, nor true.
Wrong again. A Wal-Mart worker exchanging their labor for a market determined wage isn't subsidizing me, nor anyone else.
No working poor support my lifestyle.
The issue isn't perspective, but rather, reality. What you are trying to portray here is most certainly not reality.
If you shop at walmart, eat fast food, use a house cleaning service, or a landscaping service, then yes, paying the providers of those services below a living wage is subsidizing your lifestyle on the backs of others.
Maybe you don't use any of those services. The prices of those goods and services are artificially low, brought to you by people who work full time but are in poverty.
Maybe you check our and sack your own groceries, too.
I'm not trying to "portray" anything, but rather, quoting directly from a book written by a woman who has walked the walk, and in fact, at the start, thought very differently about the working poor than she did at the end of the experience.
I have a friend who works hard, makes about $14 an hour and much of that goes to paying for his 1 kids child support. He has no family and lives in his car. Rents a cheap hotel room every other weekend to have his son.
His car is his home, no license, no Insurance. I've seen it towed and it costs him a small fortune to get it back.
In the meantime he's stranded, basically homeless. Can't go see his son, can't really get to work.
Once a person get's in a hole, it's hell getting out. Paying big fines, towing and court costs just digs that broke person a deeper hole.
So what do you do?
Get the hell out of California.
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