From the Telegraph yesterday:
“Gov. Maggie Hassan is now the only one potentially standing in the way of the first increase in state speed limits since the 1970s.
After little debate, the state Senate approved on a voice vote raising the speed limit to 70 miles per hour for about an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 93 north of Canterbury until the border with Vermont. Currently motorists can drive up to 65 mph on this stretch of road.
…The state Department of Safety opposed the bill and critics maintain it sends the wrong message when the goal should be to increase fuel mileage and reduce unnecessary travel.
“To be encouraged to drive faster is to encourage me to burn more gas resulting in higher gas costs and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said Rep. Kenneth Grossman, D-Barrington, during debate on the measure.”
I don’t have a problem at all with upping the speed limit – but I DO have a problem with Enviro-BusyBodies arbitrarily telling ME what is necessary and what is UNnecessary for my needs – based on what THEY think is proper.
They also have this silly idea that only one thing is of importance – fuel mileage. And right now, to get more fuel mileage, you have to go small, until you see what they are really trying to force us all into (IF they would “allow” us to have cars at all? Have a family? Too bad. Have more than one bag of groceries? Use your lap, too. Or any other utilitarian purpose that I would need (“you want a gun rack? It’s too big!”)
And Grossman’s argument doesn’t make sense – of COURSE, as an adult, I know that if I drive further, it will cost me more to fill up the tank again. Er, that’s part of the tradeoff I’m willing to take – the price of my labor (i.e., the $$ in my pocket) to be able to travel freely where I want to go. Again – MY decision should not be his to make.
And as far as sacrificing my freedom to travel on his altar to GAIA? Screw that.
I still wish I had my red ’68 short-block 327 Camaro so as to better enjoy the wind in my hair….and can we get politicians of all stripes to stop trying to do Social Engineering on us all?
