Posted on 10/20/2011 2:52:25 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Cold hard cash. It's good everywhere you go, right? You can use it to pay for anything.
But that's not the case here in Louisiana now. It's a law that was passed during this year's busy legislative session.
House bill 195 basically says those who buy and sell second hand goods cannot use cash to make those transactions, and it flew so far under the radar most businesses don't even know about it.
"We're gonna lose a lot of business," says Danny Guidry, who owns the Pioneer Trading Post in Lafayette. He deals in buying and selling unique second hand items.
"We don't want this cash transaction to be taken away from us. It's an everyday transaction," Guidry explains.
Guidry says, "I think everyone in this business once they find out about it. They're will definitely be a lot of uproar."
The law states those who buy or sell second hand goods are prohibited from using cash. State representative Rickey Hardy co-authored the bill.
Hardy says, "they give a check or a cashiers money order, or electronic one of those three mechanisms is used."
Hardy says the bill is targeted at criminals who steal anything from copper to televisions, and sell them for a quick buck. Having a paper trail will make it easier for law enforcement.
"It's a mechanism to be used so the police department has something to go on and have a lead," explains Hardy.
Guidry feels his store shouldn't have to change it's ways of doing business, because he may possibly buy or sell stolen goods. Something he says has happened once in his eight years.
"We are being targeted for something we shouldn't be."
Besides non-profit resellers like Goodwill, and garage sales, the language of the bill encompasses stores like the Pioneer Trading Post and flea markets.
Lawyer Thad Ackel Jr. feels the passage of this bill begins a slippery slope for economic freedom in the state.
"The government is placing a significant restriction on individuals transacting in their own private property," says Ackel.
Pawn shops have been forced to keep records of their clients for years. However under this bill they are still allowed to deal in cash.
OK, I’ll try this just once - I have little faith you will get it though.
The government ALREADY knows exactly what you make (already lost freedom) and charges you tax on that amount. Under your utopia of justice, they will now know where every penny of your income was spent and will judge if that was a wise or justifiable use of your income - if you spend foolishly (don’t worry, they will decide what is and isn’t foolish) perhaps you should pay more in taxes. To use your example - if I make 40k and spend 40k on water, why should I be scrutinized - why is it anyone’s damn business what I spent MY money on? Is water an illegal substance in your crime free world?
This is just one simple illustration of countless ways your world is not free in any way.
You said a previous poster made you cry. I truly weep to know Americans - especially a freeper - are willing to give up the freedoms I served over 20 years to protect and preserve for a false sense of justice.
For the last time - unbelievable...
I truly thank you for your 20 years served - a job well done.
I also appreciate your response. (But you just
agreed with me that they already know what I make, and
bank records show what I spend so the system we have
now of “paper money,coinage” is no different it’s just a transaction taking place within your credit union, and
I would transact using my photo id card - no freedom lost).
If criminals can’t use cash any more their account
with credit union would be what ?millions yeah right what
business W2 are they going to claim they work for.
It is the criminals who have had all the freedom they can
dream of. I think it is about time to take away their
freedom of curruption.
Please try to think a little deeper.
The criminals will find a way around your freedom stealing laws and control, leaving law abiding citizens the victims of your “justice”. You don’t think so? Ask the unarmed and defenseless law abiding citizens in places like Chicago as they duck bullets from supposedly outlawed handguns wielded by criminals - the very same criminals the gun control laws are supposed to prevent from getting guns.
Please try to think a little deeper.
The criminals will find a way around your freedom stealing laws and control, leaving law abiding citizens the victims of your “justice”. You don’t think so?
Okay I will try to think a little deeper. I have separated
your comments on guns, because that is not what we were
discussing, so I don’t see the point in bring them into
this. How would a criminal be able to purchase anything
if he is not with a credit union and have his photo-id?
It’s your turn to tell me how he would go about doing
his shady dealings in a world where there is no cash.
Thank you in advance.
Ask the unarmed and defenseless law abiding citizens in places like Chicago as they duck bullets from supposedly outlawed handguns wielded by criminals - the very same criminals the gun control laws are supposed to prevent from getting guns.
Okay now I’ll comment on your gun issue - they are
two different issues after all. Yes it’s awful and foolish
and that needs to be changed back so that citizens can
protect themselves.
I was only using the gun issue as one of many possible examples of government control imposed to solve an “injustice” or crime problem (or economic problem, or education problem, or...name the issue or problem).
The average law abiding citizen accepts the infringement on freedom on the promise that it will make the problem go away, but in almost every instance of government meddling the law abiding citizen suffers a loss of freedom and rights and the criminal is undeterred - and many times unintentionally aided - in their criminal pursuits. Criminal human nature will always find a way around barriers to their chosen path, while law abiders will suffer under a loss of rights until it is unbearable to endure it any longer (see Declaration Of Independence).
How will they get around the challenges your system sets in their way? I do not know nor am I willing to ponders on the ways to do it - I do not have a criminal mind and I don't want to give those that do any help or ideas (not to mention I pray your idea is never implemented in the first place). But I am certain that they will figure it out in due time, they ALWAYS do. Meanwhile us law abiding citizens will be subjected to the controls and restrictions originally meant for criminals, but applied to us because the government has decided buying $40k of water in one year is now illegal.
Simply put, your utopia of justice will not be the utopia you envision, nor will there be the slightest shred of justice. A large chunk of freedom lost is all you advocate
bump
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