…to collect more revenue for the city.

Apparently, outrage over this shocking news that the city will soon start monitoring traffic lights to catch people running red lights was so minimal that I only just heard about it.

After several years of lobbying by the city, Buffalo is getting permission from the state to install cameras at dangerous intersections as a way to reduce accidents — and raise revenues.

Blocked the past few years by an influential Assembly Democrat from Rochester, bills rapidly moved through the Legislature to permit the devices in Buffalo and several other cities and counties statewide.

The compromise, however, allows the city to install 50 cameras at any one time — half what the Brown administration had wanted — and to impose a maximum fine of $50—also half what Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown had sought.

The red-light camera bills were approved Monday in the Assembly and today the Senate approved them in a 55-7 vote.

“The city has been lobbying to get the cameras for three years now, and we believe they will make traffic intersections in the City of Buffalo safer, and [revenue from] fines generated will go into public safety measures to continue to make our city safer,” Brown said.

Let’s not kid ourselves… this is all about the revenue, not about public safety. What makes this so interesting to me is the lack of outrage from those who were more than willing to publicly express outrage over the NSA terrorist surveillance program. Why is it okay to monitor citizens in order to collect more revenue but it’s not okay to monitor terrorists planning to attack this country?

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A new poll from Rasmussen says that most Americans ”think it’s all right for Big Brother to crack down on smokers, but he better keep his hands off their cell phones and their sodas.” According to the poll 70% oppose tax increases on soda… like the tax proposed by Governor Patterson.

Seventy percent (70%) of Americans also oppose a national tax on all non-diet soft drinks. Eighteen percent (18%) like the idea of a so-called “obesity tax” like the one proposed by New York Governor David Paterson. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided.

Opposition to Paterson’s so-called obesity taxes has generated some interesting backlash… Earlier this week ”protesters dumped sugary soda into the Susquehanna River” in Binghamton in protest of Paterson’s proposal.

“We’re past our line-in-the-sand. We cannot handle any more taxes,” said Judy Monroe, of Windsor, as she toted an “anti-obesity tax” sign along the sidewalk at the Washington Street pedestrian bridge. “It’s to give people an awareness of additional taxes.”

After making their point for no new taxes, 18 protesters leaned over the cold metal railing at the bridge to dump non-diet soda and water from plastic soda bottles into the icy river.

The self-described “Binghamton Tea Party” was aimed at the additional 18 percent tax on non-diet soda, sweetened iced teas and other beverages proposed in Paterson’s fiscal year 2009-10 budget.

The governor said the tax is aimed at fighting obesity; others call it a money grab from middle-class families.

“New York has been a tax-and-spend state for 40 years,” said Trevor Leach, an organizer from the Binghamton Campaign for Liberty. “This got us into trouble. We must return to the principles of our founding fathers.”

Here is some video of the “Binghamton Tea Party.”

Governor Paterson, are you listening?

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I thought the worst was behind me when I left Massachusetts… but apparently New York is just as bad, if not worse, than the Bay State when it comes finding new ways to rob taxpayer. As I reported earlier, Governor Paterson wants to start collecting taxes on tobacco products sold on Indian reservations… well he also other ideas to close the budget gap… including new taxes on clothing, gasoline. and a so-called “obesity” tax on non-diet soda.

Adding insult to injury, Paterson is increasing welfare grants and making it easier for people to get on welfare.

While taxpayers will struggle with a bigger tax burden, people on welfare will get more money they didn’t earn.

And then there’s this bogus “obesity” tax on non-diet soda. I am sorry but why is the government trying tell us what we eat and drink? This is what Big Brother is all about.

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