Fine Fine

Recently, in my local council, elections were held to choose the new mayor.  This is part of the democratic process in this country.  The people choose who should represent them.  From the people, for the people.  We have a choice.  But, I ignored this choice and forgot to vote.  Now, this was unintentional; I just forgot.  Now, I could blame the Global Financial Crisis or climate change; but I clean forgot.  Well, I could walk away from this mistake and learn for next time.  But, instead, the Victoria Government has decided to fine me for failing to Vote.  I mean, can u believe it!!  A fine!!

Well, I have had enough.  Fine.  So, the fine has been paid.

But, this is not the first time.

1. Speeding fines - How can they fine me for speeding over a speed limit which they determine.  It is not my fault the speed limit was too low.
2. Parking fines - I grew up in a third world country where parking was based on whoever drove the bigger vehicle.  This could be a new policy for the Victorian government.
3. Fines for crossing a light that is not the color green.  What right does the government have to determine red as a colour for stop.  In some cultures, the colour for stop is the faded grey of a gun or a tank.  (Don't mention the war.)
4. Centrelink, a welfare organisation, fined me for receiving payments from them that i was apparently not entitled to receive.  
5. Video shop fine - It is not my fault that the movie was so good I had to watch it again.
6. Library fine - Today, I received a ten dollar fine for having a book that was three weeks overdue.  Now, it is not my fault that it was such a good book.  Highly recommended (Christopher Priest for those who are interested)

After being battered by fines by every government department or retail establishment, which in turn pays money to the government, I have had enough.  

Most probably, I will be fined for writing this blog.  Last weekend I was hiking in a cave near the Twelve apostles, the wall of the cave smashed into my head causing lots of blood to flow.  Will I be fined by the Victorian State Government for leaving blood in a national park?  Or should the cave be fined for causing damage to my head?  

You are most probably thinking : If I had followed the rules, then there would have been no fines.  But, I draw a line in the sand.  There should be a system where for every good deed acted on, you receive a credit point.  This credit point can then be used when an infringement is committed as a form of payment.  For example, when I give way at an intersection to allow an elderly lady to cross the road, then I receive an immediate credit point.  When I drive my car in the left lane, using bio-fuel and driving twenty kilometres below the speed limit, then an immediate 5 credit points is allocated to me.  So, there is always balance.

P.S.  If anyone would like to contribute to the Payment of Fines for Andrew Grace Fund (PoFAGF) please leave a comment in this entry.