Government Lifers

[native]

Does Michelle Obama need a $10,000 fine for being ignorant of the law?

FIRST LADY CAMPAIGNS INSIDE POLLING PLACE
Thu Oct 14 2010 16:19:25 ET

First lady Michelle Obama appears to have violated Illinois law -- when she engaged in political discussion at a polling place!

A top Ilinois State Board of Elections official tells the DRUDGE REPORT how Mrs. Obama may have simply been ignorant of the law and thus violated it unintentionally.

http://drudgereport.com/flash2.htm

She should have known THAT one, but maybe she's used to it because it's the Chicago Way.

In any case, she's got handlers all around, so how the he11 did they miss it? I knew the President's staff was incompetent, but the First Lady's as well?!?!??? ...on something so simple and obvious?!?!???

[CID1990]

Its his responsibility to know the rules and laws. If I got pulled over and blew a .08 I cant say oh I didnt know that was the limit in this state and expect to get let off... There are laws and rules and they need to be enforced. Now I do think its stupid to fine someone on a first offense like that, but if the policy has always been to fine on the first offense for breaking that particular ordinance than he cant expect special treatment just because he is helping the local economy.

If he was sucking some guy's cork in that Cadillac in front of the business and got a tikky you would be up in arms. You and Jon would be falling all over each other to post it first.

[AZGrizFan]

You're digging yourself quite the hole here OB.

Nanny State
Do-gooders
Over regulation

There are too many laws. The market should dictate whether or not he should be allowed to keep his car there. If it turns people off they will frequent restaurants without the cadillac out front.

OSBF is right. Conservatives own that statement.

I realize you make these wild statements purely for effect, but Jesus H. CHRIST that's funny. Wildly untrue, but funny.

You may want to rethink aligning yourself witih OBSF. Just a word of advice.

[kalm]

Nanny State
Do-gooders
Over regulation

There are too many laws. The market should dictate whether or not he should be allowed to keep his car there. If it turns people off they will frequent restaurants without the cadillac out front.

OSBF is right. Conservatives own that statement.

I realize you make these wild statements purely for effect, but Jesus H. CHRIST that's funny. Wildly untrue, but funny.

You may want to rethink aligning yourself witih OBSF. Just a word of advice.

I may not be a conk, but when it comes to my business, I'm a law breaking, regulation defying, anti-government mother fucker.

[ATrain]

As a government employee, I think it is not just the responsibility of the individual to know the law, but also the responsibility of the government to make sure the individual knows the law. When a person files for disability, we have to make sure they understand their responsibilities. If we find an additional source in the medical records, technically it is the claimant's responsibility to tell us ALL sources but we have to call and make sure they didn't forget to mention one. The government employee in this case should've informed the owner of what was going on and given him a chance to fix it.

[kalm]

As a government employee, I think it is not just the responsibility of the individual to know the law, but also the responsibility of the government to make sure the individual knows the law. When a person files for disability, we have to make sure they understand their responsibilities. If we find an additional source in the medical records, technically it is the claimant's responsibility to tell us ALL sources but we have to call and make sure they didn't forget to mention one. The government employee in this case should've informed the owner of what was going on and given him a chance to fix it.

Agreed.

Many of the government enforcement officials don't know all of the laws themselves.

I was fly fishing a stream that runs out of a winter time only lake one spring after the lake had closed. A BLM officer approached me and stated I was fishing out of season. I had to pull out my copy of the state regs from the truck and show him where, while the lake was closed, the stream was open to all game fish year round. And this was the property he was personally responsible for policing.

I'm sorry, but with thousands of municpal, county, and state codes there is absolutely no way you can expect a small business owner to know them all. Those of you blaming the owner in this instance are flat out wrong.

The penalty is the problem.

[clenz]

As a government employee, I think it is not just the responsibility of the individual to know the law, but also the responsibility of the government to make sure the individual knows the law. When a person files for disability, we have to make sure they understand their responsibilities. If we find an additional source in the medical records, technically it is the claimant's responsibility to tell us ALL sources but we have to call and make sure they didn't forget to mention one. The government employee in this case should've informed the owner of what was going on and given him a chance to fix it.

Agreed.

Many of the government enforcement officials don't know all of the laws themselves.

I was fly fishing a stream that runs out of a winter time only lake one spring after the lake had closed. A BLM officer approached me and stated I was fishing out of season. I had to pull out my copy of the state regs from the truck and show him where, while the lake was closed, the stream was open to all game fish year round. And this was the property he was personally responsible for policing.

I'm sorry, but with thousands of municpal, county, and state codes there is absolutely no way you can expect a small business owner to know them all. Those of you blaming the owner in this instance are flat out wrong.

The penalty is the problem.

The penalty is the problem.

Doesn't mean ignorance is an excuse.


BTW I hope you reported that officer for his mishap.

[Cap'n Cat]

Politicians all the time sing the praises of small businesses but they really don't have any idea how many burdens they create for small business persons. I wish there was a "Take Your Congressman To Work" day so they could see how much time otherwise productive people spend on complying with burdens established by government. But I digress.

A high school buddy of mine recently opened up a Mexican bar and restaurant in Union, NJ. It is called "The Red Cadillac." My buddy is a very successful restaurateur. Among his accomplishments is that he was an owner, operated and managed the Cadillac Bar in New York City. For those of you in the New York area, yes, THAT Cadillac Bar.

He decided not long ago to start a new venture in his hometown. He bought and then spent tens of thousands of dollars, and months, renovating an old restuarant building that had become a local eyesore. He has hired dozens of local workers. He has opened a new restaurant and bar to rave reviews in the media.

One of his cooler toouches was that he bought one of those classic 1960s red Cadillac convertibles, restored it, and parked it in front of the building -- on his property. But within weeks, he received a visit from a local zoning official who informed him that parking the car in front of his building violated a local ordinance. So he explained he wasn't aware of the ordinance but would promptly move the car.

The zoning official issued a citation anyway. So he went to municipal court today and was fined $10,000 for this trifling and unknowing violation of the local ordinance. So this is how Union, NJ treats a small business guy who stuck his neck out to help the local economy and hire local workers druring these miserable economic times.

Screw that, government lifers grow into people without conscience or judgment.

Wild, irrresponsible generalization, Jose', based on one incident. Very Conk-like behavior.

[kalm]

Agreed.

Many of the government enforcement officials don't know all of the laws themselves.

I was fly fishing a stream that runs out of a winter time only lake one spring after the lake had closed. A BLM officer approached me and stated I was fishing out of season. I had to pull out my copy of the state regs from the truck and show him where, while the lake was closed, the stream was open to all game fish year round. And this was the property he was personally responsible for policing.

I'm sorry, but with thousands of municpal, county, and state codes there is absolutely no way you can expect a small business owner to know them all. Those of you blaming the owner in this instance are flat out wrong.

The penalty is the problem.

The penalty is the problem.

Doesn't mean ignorance is an excuse.


BTW I hope you reported that officer for his mishap.

Ignorance is perfect excuse, but it doesn't neccessarily gain you mercy.

I didn't report the officer. Everyone makes mistakes and I'm sure he learned from the encounter.

[andy7171]

Wait JoltinJoe is a Conk? He voted for Obama. I think you are confusing Conk and Catholic. It must be tough keeping everything straight with all the wild and fanciful threads you throw out there for amusment.

[Cap'n Cat]

Wait JoltinJoe is a Conk? He voted for Obama. I think you are confusing Conk and Catholic. It must be tough keeping everything straight with all the wild and fanciful threads you throw out there for amusment.

Reread, Andrew. I said "Conk-like". I don't care how he votes.

[JoltinJoe]

Wait JoltinJoe is a Conk? He voted for Obama. I think you are confusing Conk and Catholic. It must be tough keeping everything straight with all the wild and fanciful threads you throw out there for amusment.

Reread, Andrew. I said "Conk-like". I don't care how he votes.

I am "conk-like" because although I've been a "donk" all my life, (i) I believe in God and (ii) I will criticize Democrats when appropriate, for example, for believing that all governmental social/assistance programs MUST be run out of Washington or that our federal government can and should continue to spend money our children haven't even earned yet.

[Cap'n Cat]

Reread, Andrew. I said "Conk-like". I don't care how he votes.

I am "conk-like" because although I've been a "donk" all my life, (i) I believe in God and (ii) I will criticize Democrats when appropriate, for example, for believing that all governmental social/assistance programs MUST be run out of Washington or that our federal government can and should continue to spend money our children haven't even earned yet.

Generalization followed by more generalizations. Joe, throw away the shovel. You're Limbaughing yourself.

[andy7171]

Wait JoltinJoe is a Conk? He voted for Obama. I think you are confusing Conk and Catholic. It must be tough keeping everything straight with all the wild and fanciful threads you throw out there for amusment.

Reread, Andrew. I said "Conk-like". I don't care how he votes.

Spin fail!

[Cap'n Cat]

Reread, Andrew. I said "Conk-like". I don't care how he votes.

Spin fail!

You're not dumb. You'll do better next time.

[JoltinJoe]

You're Limbaughing yourself.

How donk-like of you.

[andy7171]

Spin fail!

You're not dumb. You'll do better next time.

apology accepted

[Cap'n Cat]

You're Limbaughing yourself.

How donk-like of you.

You hostile Conk witness!

[JoltinJoe]

He received a written exemption today allowing him to park the car in front of the restaurant and all fines have been substantially reduced.

[ATrain]

He received a written exemption today allowing him to park the car in front of the restaurant and all fines have been substantially reduced.

Beuaracracy at its finest

[Appaholic]

Agree. I was speaking more towards some people stating earlier the business owner shouldn't have to worry about knowing the local ordinances which is false....that's a part of being a business (& property) owner.

I agree in general, but (and maybe I'm nitpicking) I don't think anyone really has to worry themselves about an ordinance like that. Again, it's not a safety issue, a health issue, a permitting issue or even a common sense issue. I'd be willing to bet you that most business and property owners don't know all of the ordinances in their jurisdiction. Some of them are pretty peculiar. That's why people get warnings all the time.

Agree....& this is why Joe's friend should have gotten a warning...