Kremmen wrote:
Regardless of the theme of the video, dropping a fag end on the street is inexcusable, it's still littering.
For me there are a number of issues here, but I'll only deal with three.
Issue 1: Private corporations being given the power to issue 'fines' removes all democratic accountability from the corporation issuing the 'fine'. There is no way that SERCO, G4S, BG, or any other corporation can be voted out of office. They are bound by 'contract' to the local authority, even though the local authoity may have a change political control. The duration of the contract usually defines how long any particular corporation can forcibly extract money under menaces from passers by; the local electorate has absolutely no say in the matter.
Issue 2: Local authority wast collection 'officers' generally leave a lot of waste in the street from emptying the bins, especially the recycling bins, where paper can and does get blown around after having been dropped by the waste collection 'officers'. The same applies to plastic bottles and packaging. But no 'fines' are issued against these corporate agents for the local authority. It is another example of hypocrisy in high places. Once again, money only goe in one direction with corporations - into their own pockets.
Issue 3: Only COURTS have the right to issue a fine after a fair trial, and where the defendant has been found guilty. We now have a situation where any nominated corporate body has the power to levy charges without any reference to a court or legal process, and where there is no requirement for indisputable evidence to be placed before a jury of our peers. This isn't justice, it is corporate theft.