Safe Speed Forums

I know this will mean nothing to many but I think my personal story relates to what this country is doing to us all today in different guises, as law-abiding citizens, so I hope you will bare with me…

Back in the mid 1980's I suffered under the ill-fated CSA when it came into force.

I was actually all for it when I heard about it, just like the cameras. The CSA was meant to catch errant fathers, but it didn't! It was meant to be fair, but it wasn't!

I had always contributed towards my daughter's upbringing with regular payments directly to her mother and also bought many other things for her in addition before their intervention. At the time me and my ex had an amicable arrangement but, in what I can only call an act of malevolence, she decided to inform the CSA who then proceeded to hound me for thousands of pounds in a lump sum and ridiculous weekly payments.

They eventually served a 'deduction at earnings' order on me for an extortionate amount! So extortionate in fact that I had to ask my boss to get rid of me because it wasn't financially worth my while working anymore.

I had worked all my adult life but now I was effectively forced into unemployment! The amount my wife actually received in benefits was approximately a quarter of what the government was then taking off me, so where was the difference going? It was a tax, plain and simple! Yet another way of extorting money from a law-abiding industrious person just trying to make something of his life, pay his dues and help his family.

I couldn’t afford to keep my old car to pick my daughter up like I had always done and treat her to nice days out. I relied on good will from others to taxi me around, as and when they could. At other times I would have to cycle in all weathers to get to her. It was iniquitous and did irreparable damage to my relationship with my daughter which exists to this day. It turned me against England!

I wrote to my local councillor and MPs, all to no avail. As with anything, if it doesn't/didn't affect you or someone close to you, it's a big nothing or maybe even looks like a good thing. But for those who remember the CSA or for those who were personally affected it was devastating! There were fathers who went into depression and some who even committed suicide over this fiasco!

Trying to talk reason to the CSA was like trying to get blood from a stone. As often is the case, no-one is answerable or accountable for stupid legislation and I couldn't get help or justice. The family values the government was supposed to hold in such high regard was complete B*** S***!

I know many people did very well under the Conservative rule during those me-me-me years, but as far as I was concerned, my country was corrupt and it's doing exactly the same today with cameras. It's a tax on regular citizens who need a way of getting from A to B.

The cameras are meant to be for safety, but they are not. Most speeders are made to feel like criminals, but they are not.

History repeats itself. Different faces, different government, same addenda - to make money from us.

Forgive the rant but I hope you see where I'm coming from and I think it relates to Paul's battle with the government. I felt just the same back in the 80s and 90s.

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Well, we certainly have an unprecedented level of governmental interference in the lives of ordinary citizens than most of us can remember. But I do wonder what things would be like if society were simply left to take its own direction.
On the radio today we have reports that the police are monitoring a TV show with a view to stepping in, live on air if necessary, if they detect any bullying or racism. And on the same day one of the production team from the same company mounts a sincere defence of another show in which viewers decide who gets to be the recipient of a donor organ
Yes Tone, history does repeat itself but I wonder which history we will most regret repeating. I cannot help be feel we are in 'Last days of the Roman Empire' territory in the UK today.

Mmmmm yes

the politicians play their fiddles while the country burns

hmm, I've said for years we've come too far as a society and are overdue.

Every "great" society in history has self-destructed; Romans, Greeks, egyptions, aztecs, incas, others we do and don't know about, everyone. And as far as historical records can reveal, most fell to a large degree under the weight of their own corruption, greed and political infighting.

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Fear is a weapon of mass distraction

Thanks to you all for your time and understanding. Who knows where it will end.

Julius Brown? Nero Brunstrom?

The pathos of it all...

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

BBC News

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Useless laws weaken necessary laws.

Amazing how they can find staff to "monitor" a TV show but can't send anyone round if you detect a burglary or assault in progress.

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"Politicians are the same the world over... We build bridges where there aren't any rivers." - Nikita Kruschev

Simple. Just tell them you found a burgular in your house, but no rush to come round as you have just shot him. They will be there in about 2 minutes

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"Are you sh**ing me?"
"John Spartan, you are fined one credit for a violation of the verbal morality statute."

And when they arrive, be sure to be standing there, camera in hand!

'I shot him with this, officer!'

Tell them you came from a disadvantaged background, and they'll let you off the hook.

To arrest you unfortunately.

You must understand that bullying and racism are CRIMES - hideous, unforgivable crimes for which no punishment is too harsh - whereas assault and burglary merely inconvenience law-abiding people and therefore don't matter.

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Save a cow - eat a vegetarian

British Justice is becoming perverted in the extreme especially now the police have taken on new powers to deprive owners of their legal property by the issuing of ASBOs for misdemeanours.

It seems the law enforcement agencies in this country have become hell-bent in bringing about the wholesale breakdown of law and order by employing draconian tactics to penalise 'soft targets' for minor crimes - thereby bringing the law into such disrepute that it's no longer of any relevance to decent citizens.

Absolutely! Where have you been? Can I buy you an e-drink?

Cheers

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.