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Posted on 01/13/2012 6:44:01 AM PST by Sensei Ern
(For the short version, skip to the "Body of Comment" section.)
This is a personal rant, and is why I will leave Maryland as soon as I can afford to. Please indulge.
Thank you.
The state of Maryland kicks a man while he is down.
April 2010, I lost my job as a computer programmer. Though I interview at least twice a week, jobs are competitive and very hard to get.
Perhaps my biggest pet peeve is the trend for employers to tell me, "You're hired. You will start as soon as we get the budget for the project approved." And, the budget is NEVER approved because every company is tightening budgets and not approving anything new.
For the past two years, I have been making about $350 per week by working for small businesses, doing their IT work since they are too small to have a full-time on-staff guy. My next job comes from word-of-mouth from my previous clients. But, it is on average 10 hours per week.
Anyway, my chosen mode of transportation is by motorcycle. It's far cheaper in every way...gas, license, parking, commute time, and for most repairs, I can do it myself in a few hours.
Except, I blew up the altenator by crossing cables while jump starting it on a cold night. It was dark. My bad.
So, anyway. On my bike, to get to the altenator, you need to pull the engine. This is something I cannot do. The shop estimate is $1500.
$1500 is something else I cannot do, right now. I didn't sweat it. I think to myself..."OK, I'll let it sit in my driveway until I can afford it. I should get a new job any time now."
This was last winter.
In October, my insurance needed to be renewed. I think, "Self. You aren't riding it right now. Why pay for insurance when you can't even get it fixed? Drop the insurance. Save the cash and get the thing repaired when you can, and get new insurance then." (I wasn't worried about it being stolen...long story and not part of the story here.)
For Christmas, my brother in San Diego paid for my flight to stay with him for two weeks. During that two weeks of 70F days and 60F nights, I spent more than half my time interviewing for jobs out there. (Haven't heard back from any, yet.)
I get back and stacked in my mail is a notice from the state of Maryland. It says that because I have a licensed vehicle that is not insured, they are charging me $7 per day until I get it insured again, and that it will need to be re-inspected. The max fine would be $2500!
A 1993 Kaxaski Vulcan that has sat for a year...yeah, that will pass real easy.
$600+! And to think I could have saved $400 by keeping the insurance, which I can't afford right now.
I understand that the state wants to encourage vehicles on the road to be insured. But, mine wasn't ON THE (insert explicative) ROAD!
I can't afford the fine. It's like the state of Maryland will fine a person for being poor!
This is why I am leaving the state for freer ground.
I am convinced that totalitarianism is what breed libertarianism.
“Fatti Maschii Parole Femine” Should Be, “Fatti Totalitaria Parole Liberale”
Were there any....you know, WORDS in that?
Here’s hoping your luck will turn.....and turn soon!
“It says that because I have a licensed vehicle that is not insured, they are charging me $7 per day until I get it insured again, and that it will need to be re-inspected. The max fine would be $2500!
...leaving the state for freer ground”
Seems like just about anywhere would be more free. That suck for ya man. Sorry to hear about the troubles but happy that you are headed for freedom.
I’d suggest a very strongly conservative state.
Cali seemed far more free. I am sure they tax income to death, but I was amazed that when I went to Subway and got a $2 sub, I wasn’t charged a sales tax, nor a “bag fee” nor any other add-on that Taxyland has found to eek another dollar from its citizens.
I would really like Florida or Texas, if I find a job there.
Cali seemed far more free. I am sure they tax income to death, but I was amazed that when I went to Subway and got a $2 sub, I wasn’t charged a sales tax, nor a “bag fee” nor any other add-on that Taxyland has found to eek another dollar from its citizens.
I would really like Florida or Texas, if I find a job there.
If I had to move, I’d pick Idaho. Very conservative and it’s right next door.
Learn something every day. Who knew the state motto is in Italian?
Can you un-register the bike?
It’s Latin.
The Maryland state motto“Fatti Maschii Parole Femine” means, “Manly Deeds, Womanly Words”
“Fatti Totalitaria Parole Liberale” means Totalitarian Deeds, Liberal Words”.
That is, the only way liberalism can be enforced is by totalitarian actions.
However, CA charges you for NOT operating your vehicle. At one time, up until a few years ago, If you chose not to operate your vehicle at the time of re-registration every year, it was simply a matter of filing out a non-op form and that was that. Now if you file one it cost you money not to operate your vehicle. Either way you pay the state, drive it or not, you must pay for the privilege of simply owning it.
Turned my plates in Monday. They applied the funds from the unused part of my registration fee to the fine.
Then Cali will be marked off the list. I’ll work there, and vacation there, but I will be a citizen of Texas.
Smart move. If I had the money I would move either to Texas or Arizona.
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