Hoverman,
Oh dear - you were serious, eh? Well, may I offer the following:
If you are going to take issue with comments made earlier, make sure you don't add elements which never existed in the first place.
- At no stage did I ever say, as attributed in your first riposte, that I "..think the police should enforce all laws with equal vigour?". For the record, I don't.
- No amount of context-changing or assumption of ambivalence could lead a reader to understand that I believe "..that the same amount of police manpower/public money should be spent on enforcing all laws?". Again, I don't and have never said otherwise.
These comments are yours alone, and the way by which you came to them is unclear to me. I'll assume your comments re parking meters were humourously intended.
To reply to the questions in the second post:
"Do you think it is an acceptable use of public money to use a helicopter to catch motorists committing traffic offences?"
- Yes, if the public authority in the area concerned (democratically elected, etc) considers it a worthwhile means of improving road safety.
"Why do you say it's 'selfish' to express a view that some offences are so serious that the expense is justified, and some are not?"
- I ascribed the feelings of selfishness to myself - "not just the ones that I personally and selfishly think they should pursue". I did not at any time discuss the parameters for deciding whether or not expense is justified. I am happy to accept the view of those elected by the majority, and if I become unhappy I will use the democratic process to try and put my views across. By all means express your views in open forum, ideally to the lawmakers if you wish to see a change in procedure. Back in the UK you have the ideal opportunity next month.
I'm no angel by the way; last week I received a document from the equivalent of the local constabulary certifying that my tiny J10 is capable of 90 kph. I was obliged to pay 50 Brunei dollars for the privilege, as I happened to be in an area where the limit is 80 kph. That's the law, I broke it, I paid the penalty. The only way I'll change the law in THIS country is by personal appeal to one man - which system do you prefer to live under?