Gangster Government: Part 83

Now let’s look at what just happened there. The head of an agency that regulates the auto industry makes it clear that he could have, on a whim perhaps, made some “guidelines” obligatory. Then in the context of inferring his regulatory power, he states how he’d prefer that his regulatory subjects advertise their wares. Something that Michael Barone once said about “gangster government” resonates here. Nice little car company you have there. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to it would we? Oh, and be sure and tell your customers what a good job we’re doing keeping them safe.

While the “voluntary” guidelines issued this week are directed at manufacturers, it’s obvious that NHTSA/DOT has greater plans for their involvement in your driving. The current guidelines are only the first phase of the process.
And a suggestion:
A modern cop car is filled with all sorts of distracting electronic equipment including interactive computer screens. I’m fine with Ray LaHood disabling my nav system as long as he disables Johnny Law’s LEIN screen, at least when he’s behind the wheel. If it’s dangerous for regular folks to use cellphones, radios and computers behind the wheel, it’s just as dangerous for cops to do it.