I think all of the cynics on here (including me) should pause for a moment and reflect on what is happening in this case: the government is going to do something that will cost it revenue, just because its the right thing to do and the people wanted it.
If you want to be cynical, here is a good reason. Maybe they are revoking cops "privateer" license for now in order to have a carrot to negotiate with later. Say, in a year the justice dept needs police to "opt in" to some new initiative. They can simply dangle seizures in front of them to get compliance.
Also, the policy allows exceptions. So they could do it on a "case by case" basis, with individual departments and so on. And, if they did change the policy outright, well it hardly requires a press release.
I'm tentatively excited. But I cannot see anything in it for anyone with power. So I just don't see how this would become law.
They're shutting down a program that let them steal $3 billion without due process. Hey that's great and all but I don't classify it as cynical to wonder why it ever started in the first place.
I think it started out with good intentions, but like so many
great ideas it was abused. I am very leary of any new law
because they take years to get off the books, and many innocent people are punished. Three strikes--great, until
guys are put away for stealing a candy bar. Seat belt laws--great, until cops actively looked for any violations, and the
fees went up. Drunk driving crackdown--fine until cops started pulling over everyone(profiling) who is out past 10 p.m. on a friday--looking for that rare person over .10%. Even
building code statues should be throughly reviewed before making them standard practice.(The average person has no idea
just how any codes are involved in building a structure.) Yes, there was a time I could get in my car and not worry about getting pulled over, or having to go over a check list(
insurance, lights working, licence plate light working, right
time of night, checking Trapster before a long trip, right people(yes-it's what you think) in my car; and it was beautiful!
If anything that makes me a bit better. Somehow a $3B industry has been stalled somewhat by The Process. I mean, that is a hekuva lot of money to pull the brakes on.
