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Detroit, 1:46 AM
Thu Nov 26
22 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/12/09
This is open to far too many creeping abuses from a power hungry state.
Sadly, people will be taken in by that time-tested Big Brother formula of big, vague, promises coupled with a compliment making the intended target think they have nothing to worry about because they aren't part of the "bad group" the law marginalizes.
First, they track mileage. "Hey, we're saving you good, low-mileage, drivers money!"(...and you long distance commuters can eat it!)
Then, they track location. "Hey, at no extra cost, we're saving you innocent drivers from car thieves!"(...and people with no car insurance, or who are behind on their payments, or who owe the state money...)
Next, they track speed. "Hey, at no extra cost, we're saving you good, safe, from high speed accidents and the higher insurance claims they cause!"(...and you and everyone else WILL pay for going ten over the limit, regardless of your pathetic excuse. No one is above the law. Now pay up.)
After that, they add cameras to the system. "Hey, for a marginal taxpayer cost, we're adding video surveillance to keep you law abiding citizens safe from domestic violence, child abuse, carjacking and more happening in your vehicle!"(...and make sure you say no possibly "terrorist" comments, or take any questionable substances, or do anything else that is suspicious. Remember, we know where you are....)
Then, they will push for autonomous cars, linked to their control grid. "Hey, our GPS sensors have shown that human error is the cause of error in most crashes. Let's save you, our good, moral, law-abiding citizens the stress of commute by having our GPS-guided system do the driving for you. It will save lives, money, and cut down on congestion!"(...and it will allow us to control where you go, which is also conveniently wherever WE want you to go. Undesirables will be directed to the proper processing centers. Also, we will try to take the last remaining Luddite "drivers" and tax and regulate all but the most moneyed of them out of existence - for their "own good" of course. Remember, driving is a privilege - a recreational hobby, one that only the elite of society are entitled to.)
Finally, if they haven't already done so, they'll take all of this technology and apply it to the rest of your life. "Hey, since our tracking/surveillance technology works so well on your cars, we're now requiring you put a tracking chip in your arm, a camera in your home, complete access to your computer...just think of all the lives and money, you, the innocent taxpayer, who has nothing to hide, will save!"(...and kiss your freedom goodbye, sucker!)
Make no mistake, it CAN happen here.
Don't be fooled. #insurance
11/12/09
Sure what you said could happen but so could GM turning OnStar into a corporate conspiracy to strand ever car in America at once and hold them for ransom. I mean GM could do that since OnStar gives them the technology to stop cars that are stolen. What prevents them from taking the next step and just stranding everybody and causing mass havoc. Make NO mistake, it CAN hAppen HErE, don't BÉ ƒoolED!!¡1!! BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Scary Sound)
You see how that sounds.
Remember future+change doesn't necessarily equal doom(6)^Communism. Maybe doom(.1)^arrogance but that's about how far it goes.
In any case this will never happen because 2012 will kill all of us first. #insurance
11/13/09
11/13/09
However I was short with you and I should not have compared you to a Glenn Beck viewer. For that I am truly sorry. #insurance
11/13/09
11/11/09
Second, I simply don't like people knowing where I am. I keep the GPS off on my phone, etc.
Third, we do drive a lot. Our '03 Denali, bought new, has 203,000 miles. I'd say we put about 100,000 miles a year, combined, on cars. This could actually hurt.
On the other hand, it could potentially make insurance for an occasionally-driven car cheaper, because if you only have to pay for the 10 miles a week you drive it, it could be close to free. That being said, all of our old stuff is on Hagarty Classic, which is still pretty damn cheap. #insurance
11/11/09
I have a scooter that I drive all the time, so at this point it seems almost ridiculous to be paying $59 a month to have insurance on a car that I almost never drive.
I would LOVE it if this happened.
Why don't they just make it an option instead of making everyone do it?
Either pay the normal premiums or opt into the pay per mile scenario, seems like a great solution.
11/12/09
You seriously think they are just going to collect a couple dollars a month from you for that scooter?
What do you think insurance companies are. Non profit organizations?
You will end up paying just about the same. The less you drive that vehicle, the less familiar you are with it, and more you will get into an accident. #insurance
11/12/09
I have no problems paying a yearly premium for something I drive daily, the scooter. #insurance
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11/11/09
06/12/09
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06/12/09
If they were smart they wouldn't just torch the whole car, real thieves don't do that. They'd pull the interior and drivetrain, get a group together to fence the parts and then torch / roll the chassis off a cliff. Report it stolen, police find it gutted and dumped, looks like a pro job, they might have a flatbed (thus defeating the immobilizer)... certainly wasn't the owner. Meanwhile a whole bunch of friends are selling off one or two pieces each distributed across several cities / states.
@Tyson: That's bad.
06/12/09
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06/12/09
On that note, I am buying ingredients tomorrow to make my first batch of homebrew beer, because it costs half as much as store-bought.
06/12/09
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06/12/09
Just don't make any bathtub banana gin, especially not with opium.
06/12/09
06/08/09
06/08/09
Anyway, there are one... two cars on that list that I'd not mind owning. Sadly, one of them is a 27-year-old pickup truck, and another is a minivan (Mazda5).
Wouldn't turn down a Passat, either.
06/08/09
Don't you know wagons is where it is at?
06/08/09
I'd very much take a new Volvo/Merc/Subaru/damn-near-any wagon over one, but if I had to get a minivan, that would be it.
06/08/09
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06/08/09
So what are my choices here- a Kia or two, a gaggle of minivans- or a Lincoln Town Car?
06/08/09
06/08/09