Whereby REPUBLICAN J. Belanger's (Hills-27) HB103 adopts the Democrat Nanny State agenda - take away your cell phone COMPLETELY in a car - Granite Grok

Whereby REPUBLICAN J. Belanger’s (Hills-27) HB103 adopts the Democrat Nanny State agenda – take away your cell phone COMPLETELY in a car

An alternative title: REPUBLICAN Belanger adopts the Progressive view of that everyone must be punished for the sin of one (or a few).  It IS the Progressive modus operandi- we must INSTRUCT the people to behave correctly to achieve our Progressive “Heaven on Earth” (which is, pretty much, the Socialist one). After all, it wasn’t enough to have passed a law last session that requires hands free operation, forcing people to either buy a Bluetooth headset – or a new car with hands free capability.

And now having bought such with your hard earned money, NH State Rep. Belanger is going to waste your money by not allowing you to use those shiny new things.  His bill, HB103 is:

HOUSE BILL 103

AN ACT limiting the capabilities of wireless communication devices in motor vehicles.

SPONSORS: Rep. J. Belanger, Hills 27

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the email and texting capabilities of a wireless communication device to be disabled if the device is moving more than 5 miles per hour. The restriction shall not take effect unless 2 New England states adopt similar legislation

For the almost non-existent driving sin of texting / emailing while driving, everyone else in the car must be punished as well (yeah, there is no “not driver” exception in this).  Let’s  tell REPUBLICAN Belanger that he should suffer for not BOTHERING to do his homework!  BOTH Steve and I have posted before on the real world statistics applicable to NH – this so called “crisis” cannor be substantiated on the numbers. Go ahead, look at the stats – and please show them because as we found out, a few years the stats started to get blurred and we think it was on purpose.  Go ahead, substantiate the text / email sins out of the overall stat of “distracted drivers”.  Last time we saw that changing the radio, shaving, makeup, eating, dealing with kids ALL were larger than cell phones.   There is no epidemic of deaths here in NH that should cause you to effectively make you incommunicado.  It’s like what the gun grabbers keep saying – we MUST reduce “gun violence” even as NH stats say that we are the among the safest states in the country in that regard.  But that is the Progressive way, the Hegelian theory of work to hype a crisis and then swoop in with a “solution” for that “CRISIS!” and in each and EVERY solution offered, individual Liberty and Freedom dies a bit for the sake of being seen “to be doing something”.  Even if “do something” is in fixing a “not something”.

For the sin of some irresponsible texting while driving, everyone else in the car must be punished as well.  EVERYONE.  Even if there WAS an epidemic of every driver always texting and emailing every mile (yes, I can use hyperbole as well like the best of the “Freedom grabbers”), all passengers must be punished for the “sin in the future” of the driver.  That is equitable?  That is a punishment equally meted out?  This, ahem, makes sense?

No, this is sheer stupidity.  Or, is this some new Republican Principle that I am not aware of?  Or is that phrase I oft use is in play once again: Jr. Lackeys of the Democrat Party?  I keep hearing Republicans say “We are the Party for Freedom” – so how does this fit that?  You’re right – it doesn’t.  Fits the Democrat narrative, though.  Keep that in mind.

It also punishes people who have the capability with new technology to READ YOUR EMAILS AND TEXTS TO YOU! Gee, computer generated speech – ever hear of Siri, Rep. Belanger?   Gosh, wonders of wonders, what those nerds can’t come up with next, eh?  And guess WHAT?  If you talk to your smartphone or your smart car, it can TRANSLATE YOUR VOICE INTO TEXTs or EMAILs – hands free even! But that’s not good enough for NH Rep Belanger, is it.  He just wants to take it all away – he doesn’t Trust any one to responsibly use such new fangled  tech so that your eyes never have to leave the road.  In fact, it’s a wonder that he doesn’t encase the driver in a sound proof cabin so their passengers can’t talk to them either (yeah, more hyperbole, but it fits)

And isn’t that the intent of the Law – eyes straight?  Yet, we see the hoary hand of Nanny State once again – showing that it makes no distinction between Parties – Progressivism knows no aisle.  Progressivism’s main tenet is that the ordinary people cannot be trusted – ever – to make their own decisions.  Thanks to Rep. Belanger, you may soon have one less decision that you can make.  But WAIT, there’s MORE!

And oh, isn’t that just so nice – he also gives up the sovereignty of New Hampshire (just like with the regional Cap N Trade stupidity, RGGI) in that he will allow the final decision to implement this up to TWO OTHER NE STATES (“unless 2 New England states adopt similar legislation“).  Such a weasel way to not be found responsible – an abdication from actually DOING YOUR JOB.  Make the Decision or Resign – WHY would you put OUR future into the hands of ANOTHER SET OF LEGISLATORS?

Coward?  Or just measly looking for cover?  Yes, intentionally chosen words for if you don’t have the stones to make a bold statement, shut up and limp home.  Really, so wishy washy that you want others to make a decision of New Hampshireites?  Wuss.  Stand tall or slink home, please.

And, please, don’t tell us that some constituent requested this and you are only doing a favor – part of your JOB that you voluntarily ran for is to be able to tell your constituents, when necessary, what the Proper Role of Government.  This is not it.  Unless “the common good” now outweighs “…they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men”.

Or do you disagree, sir?

The actual text can be found here and the docket.

HB 103 – AS INTRODUCED

2015 SESSION

15-0032

05/10

HOUSE BILL 103

AN ACT limiting the capabilities of wireless communication devices in motor vehicles.

SPONSORS: Rep. J. Belanger, Hills 27

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the email and texting capabilities of a wireless communication device to be disabled if the device is moving more than 5 miles per hour. The restriction shall not take effect unless 2 New England states adopt similar legislation.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15-0032

05/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

AN ACT limiting the capabilities of wireless communication devices in motor vehicles.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Chapter; Wireless Communication Devices in Motor Vehicles. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 357-G the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 357-H

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN MOTOR VEHICLES

357-H:1 Capabilities of Wireless Communication Devices in Motor Vehicles.

I. Any wireless communication device equipped with GPS capabilities that is sold or supplied for use in New Hampshire shall have the email and texting features of the device disabled if the device is moving more than 5 miles per hour.

II. Any business that sells or supplies a device in violation of paragraph I shall be subject to a fine of $100 for each device sold or supplied in New Hampshire.

2 Contingency. If any 2 New England states adopt similar legislation restricting the capabilities of wireless communication devices in motor vehicles, section 1 of this act shall take effect upon certification of the attorney general to the secretary of state and the office of legislative services that such states have enacted the legislation.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect as provided in section 2 of this act.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

 

 

 

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