I know we have more urgent issues than what I’m going to vent about, but I think it’s a part of why our country is in such dire straights these days. I speak of greed and selfishness. It trickles all the way down to the way we conduct ourselves in our automobiles.
Remember the Washington law that went into effect in July? The one that makes it illegal drive and text or talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device? And the $101 ticket, if you get caught doing something dumb while texting or talking?
I don’t have exact figures as to how many people have been busted by the authorities for swerving or not signaling or running into something or someone, but unfortunately it’s not many.
What I do know is for the most part, not a lot of you care about a law that punishes you not for actually disobeying it, but for getting caught disobeying it.
If you drink and drive, is it okay, as long as you don’t break any laws or kill someone? That’s where greed and selfishness come into play. I really doubt any clear-thinking citizen actually believes that you can safely text or make a cell phone call while barreling down the road at 60 miles per hour. Yet, if a cop isn’t around to catch you doing it, it’s fine. It’s like one of those “if a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one else to hear it” metaphors.
If our politicians don’t have the guts to go all the way and make it illegal to use a phone while driving, then why should anyone care? Go ahead! Rest that book on your steering wheel and read away! Apply your makeup or shave in rush hour traffic! Use those chopsticks to eat that yummy takeout Thai food!
People, it’s greedy and selfish to do something that may endanger you or the people around you. You know it. But you keep doing it because you also know that chances are, you aren’t going to get caught.
You need to text your friend right now. You have to pick up that call or else. It’s all about you. It’s all about instant gratification, despite the consequences. And on a larger scale, that exact attitude has our country in such a mess.
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