Government excess not just about feds

The Daily Herald opinion piece, "Fines must be linked to public safety," hit the nail on the head. What the Daily Herald has exposed is a growing trend in local governments at all levels using fines as income generators for their ravenous budget shortfalls.

The Daily Herald's excellent series on red light cameras clearly established the fact that counties and villages are using them as a way to have a toll booth on every corner. The Illinois Toll Highway Authority demonstrated just how profitable toll collection can be, and, by golly, local governments found a way to not be left out in the cold. Ca-ching.

Now, as reported by the Daily Herald, the state is raising the price tag on traffic tickets, Ca-ching, again. State and local governments might want to pay attention to the tea party movement. At first blush, local government might think, "It's just about federal government overspending." Personally, I don't think it's limited to just the feds, I think tea party goers are fed up with ravenous government, period.

The government is to serve the people; it was never intended to be a business, although it seems to have become a racket. As the Daily Herald put it, "That is a dangerous road to drive down." Perhaps, local governments should start putting on the brakes before the will of the people does it for them?

Brian Van Dine

Carol Stream