Applied Anarchy - Parking Meters
Posted on September 17, 2007
Part of the Applied Anarchy Series - Previous in series Next in series
I’ve stumbled into a moral dilemma of sorts. One of my clients has mobility issues (trouble walking) so qualifies for a disabled parking placard (he doesn’t drive, so instead of plates the placard can go car to car with him). We received his placard today. This will be of great benefit to him when we go to major stores, so he doesn’t have to walk a hundred yards or more to get to the shop.
I’m 100% behind the idea of handicapped parking spots, though they should be provided willingly by merchants, not required (or enforced) by government. I agree that it’s a great idea for a business to provide close parking spots for people with mobility issues. Many businesses do so now for pregnant women. In line with this belief I refuse to use the handicapped placard when my client is not with me, or when there’s a non-designated spot within a reasonable distance.
Then we come to California Vehicle Code 22511.5 (a)
- Any disabled person displaying special identification license plates or a distinguishing placard shall be allowed to park for unlimited periods in any of the following zones:
(A) in disabled spaces or on streets with residential and merchant zones
(B) in time zones- in any metered parking space without being required to pay any parking meter fees.
Parking meters are a function of government. They’re used not only as a revenue generator (more so off tickets for failure to comply then the meter fees), but as a means to limit our freedom of travel. Hence, the dilemma-
Should I take advantage of the placard (even when my client’s not with me) to avoid yet the government dipping into my pocket when they aren’t even pretending to provide a service? I believe it’s different then parking in a handicapped spot as those are specifically reserved. If I don’t park at a meter, the next “common shlub” is going to park there, and odds are against them being disabled. For the record, I have no problem “stealing” the government revenue - I don’t believe it’s possible to steal from the government by refusing to pay them for nothing.
Thoughts and opinions via comments or email would be much appreciated!
Part of the Applied Anarchy Series - Previous in series Next in series
The Complete Applied Anarchy Series-
- What Is Applied Anarchy?
- Applied Anarchy - One Way I Legally Avoid Taxes
- Applied Anarchy: Financial Security Without Fiat Currency
- Practicing What We Preach
- Applied Anarchy: Why Anarchists Should Vote For Ron Paul
- Applied Anarchy - Parking Meters
- Applied Anarchy - Minimizing Your Income Tax Burden
- Sales Tax and Couponing For Cash
- Applied Anarchy - 12 Steps To Recovery
- Money Makes The World Go Round
- Doing Away With Fiat Currency
- Applied Anarchy - Free Market Health Care
- Applied Anarchy - How Would It Work?
- Applied Anarchy - Listen To Your Kids
- Happy Birthday Comrade Kropotkin!
Related Posts: » Filed Under: Applied Anarchy, Living Free
We all need to use the tools given to us…within reason of course - the only reasons that I would not use it if you’d be using the last handicapped stall or were going to be parking for more than 30 minutes due to potentially disrupting the stall’s use for a person who is actually handicapped.
Thanx for the feedback Taarax!
I would never use an actual handicapped spot (without a client in the car), but I’m definitely liking using the placard to avoid these ridiculous fees while I’m out and about alone