What is becoming of this country? Our freedoms are under assault, and no one seems to give a damn.
So, last night: I was minding my own business driving home when this cop pulls me over and ends up arresting me.
“Officer,” I explained, “this is the United States of America. And in this country, we believe in freedom!”
“But sir,” the patrolman calmly explained, “You were driving down the left side of the road.”
“Well, I didn’t hit anyone,” I asserted loudly.
“Luckily!” he said. “They all swerved out of your way. You could have caused a very serious accident and even killed someone, or possibly yourself.”
“Well, sir, I agree that it is their right to swerve out of my way. But are you saying that the mandated usage of safety belts would not have protected us had such an accident occurred?”
The patrolman lifted his head exasperated but responded, “Well, if everyone was wearing safety belts the chances of survival would have been better. But there is no guarantee that seatbelts will protect you or anyone in the event of a head-on collision.”
“Gee,” I said somewhat perplexed. “I wonder why they force us to wear them.”
“Look,” the officer began, “We have laws that require you to drive on the right, to prevent you from harming others, We have seatbelt laws to protect you as much as possible in the event something goes wrong,” the officer explained.
“You are infringing on my rights. In England, they drive on the left all the time. I should be able to drive on the left any time I want.”
“This isn’t England!” he said angrily. “The standard here is that we drive on the right side. Everyone is subject to the laws of this country when they are in this country.”
“I didn’t see any sign telling me I couldn't drive on the left side,” I asserted.
“It’s the law and it is assumed you know that because you have a driver’s license. By the way, would you please show me your license?”
“I don’t have one,” I said with scorn dripping from my voice. “I refused to get one. They are unproven.”
“Have you been drinking, sir?” he asked suspiciously.
“That is none of your damn business, officer. If I choose to drink before driving that is my concern only. It’s a free...”
He cut me off, “Yeah, a free country, I know. But you don’t feel any obligation to the safety of others that would cause you to not drink before driving, and to stay on the right side of the road?”
“The safety of others is not my problem. They are free to be concerned with their safety if they so choose. This is a free country after all. If they are that worried about their safety, perhaps they should just stay home.”
“But what about your own safety?” he asked derisively.
“I am free to be concerned with my safety if I choose to be concerned about it. It is, after all, my life that is on the line.”
“Well, sir, I’m going to have to require you to take a breathalyzer test. I suspect you may be under the influence of excessive alcohol consumption.”
“You’re requiring me to take a test? That’s oppression, officer. I thought this was a free country. This is Communism and Nazi-ism, combined. I will not take that test!”
And that is when he arrested me. This country is going down fast, and no one is doing anything about it.
![The W.A. Parish Generating Station is a 3.65-gigawatt (3,653 MW), dual-fired power plant located in unincorporated Thompsons, Texas, the station occupies a 4,664-acre site near Smithers Lake southwest of Houston in Fort Bend County and consists of two four-unit plants; one natural gas and the other coal (2,697 MW).[1] With a total installed capacity of 3,653 MW, it is the second largest conventional power station in the US.](https://images.dailykos.com/images/808019/large/1024px-W.A._Parish_Generating_Plant_Aerial.jpg?1590144056 "The W.A. Parish Generating Station is a 3.65-gigawatt (3,653 MW), dual-fired power plant located in unincorporated Thompsons, Texas, the station occupies a 4,664-acre site near Smithers Lake southwest of Houston in Fort Bend County and consists of two four-unit plants; one natural gas and the other coal (2,697 MW).[1] With a total installed capacity of 3,653 MW, it is the second largest conventional power station in the US.")
