The mystery of India’s deadly exam scam

Post by eitally » Fri, Dec 18, 2015, 4:05 PM UTC

Shivetya wrote: post #120

alistairSH wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you in the US? Even at the federal levels, politicians' salaries aren't particularly high, relative to what those same people could earn in the private sector. Congressmen earn $174,000. That's not a huge amount for a group that largely consists of successful lawyers, with a smattering of doctors and other businessmen. Many of them are millionaires before they take office. The governor of my state (Virginia) is p…

Sorry, the idea of comparing their salaries to what they could supposedly earn outside of government is just wrong. First not all of may have had substantial jobs or education prior to running for office. Lastly, most of them become quite well off after leaving office from speaking fees if not retirement. They are excessively paid relative to the average American and their salaries should be curtailed to that of aver…

Post by pc86 » Fri, Dec 18, 2015, 4:10 PM UTC

vinceguidry wrote: post #117

aianus wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Canada everybody speeds all the time. In fact, it would be unsafe not to speed on the 401 as you'd be driving considerably slower than everyone else. So the enforcement randomness is the same, it's just the penalties are stiffer and longer-lasting.

I don't understand why you're getting downvoted. Speeding is endemic in the US as well, and the penalties are onerous for pretty much everyone but the well-off. Speed limits should be raised to fit the speed everyone actually drives at, obviously it's not that unsafe, but no area has done that. I think you bring up good points about the relative scariness of Western selective enforcement as compared to developing wor…

  Fine (25-55mph/40-90km/hr zone): $45-95
  Fine (65 mph/105km/hr zone):     $44.50-102.50

  EMS Surcharge: $10
  JCP Surcharge: $10
  Court costs:   Varies, last ticket I got was in 2010 and I think it was $7.50
  MCARE:         $50 for speeding, additional surcharges for additional offenses (e.g. passing a stopped school bus)

Post by ptaipale » Fri, Dec 18, 2015, 4:14 PM UTC

tedks wrote: post #52

praxulus wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People don't get speeding tickets for going with the flow of traffic. And no, it really isn't unsafe to go at the speed limit. Driving at 20mph on a highway can cause problems, but going 10-15mph slower than traffic in the rightmost lane is not going to cause any accidents.

Unless you're black, or maybe also a muslim, or a sikh wearing a turban, or a native american. Unless the cop on that stretch has a quota to fill. Unless you're unlucky. Power is just as capricious, wherever you are in the world. People that select to be in positions of power are rarely the kind of people who can be trusted to always execute that power honestly. I see where the comment parent is coming from.

Post by aianus » Fri, Dec 18, 2015, 4:17 PM UTC

roddux wrote: post #74

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was going to say that too, but in corrupt countries, you'll get fined for speeding whether you were speeding or not - and expected to bribe the 'officer' regardless. It's not paying a policeman something then and there that's the problem - for you it'd become the fine for speeding - but it's having to pay without having done anything wrong. It's the power abuse associated with it that's wrong.

This happened to me in Vietnam. A police officer pulled over me and a friend as we rode past, then came up with a story about us having 'incorrect papers'. Later found out from the owner of the hostel that the same thing had happened to most of his guests for the entire season!

Post by aianus » Fri, Dec 18, 2015, 4:36 PM UTC

pc86 wrote: post #133

vinceguidry wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand why you're getting downvoted. Speeding is endemic in the US as well, and the penalties are onerous for pretty much everyone but the well-off. Speed limits should be raised to fit the speed everyone actually drives at, obviously it's not that unsafe, but no area has done that. I think you bring up good points about the relative scariness of Western selective enforcement as compared to developing wor…

> Speeding is endemic in the US as well, and the penalties are onerous for pretty much everyone but the well-off. No, they're not. Perhaps in some states but not on average. I'm in Pennsylvania so can only use those numbers.[0] There is the base fine (which can be doubled if you're in a work zone or an area with posted signs to that effect) and surcharges. Fine (25-55mph/40-90km/hr zone): $45-95 Fine (65 mph/105km/hr…