"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
...

"mr.b" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 09 Mar 2007 07:44:09 -0500, Roger Long wrote:

Here is the beginning of the end of boating as we know it in the US
of
A.

http://www.marinelink.com/Story/Coas...it-206253.html

A large part of the problem rests with a populace that is cultured to
avoid thinking at all times. Why think when you've got cheap beer,
NASCAR
and "Fox News"? (sic). It's easier to manipulate the prejudices,
biases
and fears of stupid people. It's easy to get them to believe whatever
horse**** the fuhrer wants to substitute for the truth. A scary part
for
non-Americans is the degree to which even seemingly smart people in
the US
completely swallow, then regurgitate the pap that passes for "truth"
in
the former "land of the free". The real question is whether there
are
enough "smart" Americans to stop what from the outside looks like a
dangerous slide into facism.

Hey, I've got it! Let's require every boat, regardless of size, to
file a float plan with the Coast Guard, which will issue a "Voyage
Permit" for each trip. Doesn't matter if you're going out to fish for
a couple of hours, daysailing, or cruising for a few days, weeks, or
months. Get caught without your "Papers," and your boat is confiscated
and you spend some time in the pokey, getting pokied.

"Land of the Free" my hind leg. This suggestion may seem far-fetched
now, but I'd about guarantee that something along these lines will be
proposed, and possibly adopted.


Already there is a law on the books that recreational boaters who leave
the good ole USA and come back in must have passports. If you fail to
clear customs and immigration your boat can be impounded and you
imprisoned and fined. I think it goes into effect this year sometime in
the fall. Imagine that. A US citizen must have federally issued "papers"
that prove he's a citizen before he can return to his own country. In
the meanwhile, illegals flood across the borders and are given handouts
and free medical care and schooling for their ******* children.

Your float plan idea is not far-fetched at all. Already it is in the
"recommended for all vessel voyages" stage by the Coast Guard. It's only
a matter of time before it's mandatory. In Key West the Federal Govt.
issued permits for a handful of sailboats to race to Havana and back.
When the boats returned to Key West they were summarily boarded and
searched. People were arrested for spending money in Cuba if they had
any Cuban goods on board. One boat was impounded for a while. A few
people are still being prosecuted. It all amounts to an abuse of federal
govt. powers. It's going to get worse. It never gets better.

That's why thinking people need a capable voyaging sailboat. The time is
nigh to start looking for a new country. Personally I like the Bahamas.
Almost a third-world country. Parliamentary govt. Small bureaucracy.
They just don't have the money or personnel to harass boaters. No sales
tax. Prices are a little high but I'd rather pay higher prices to the
businessman and no taxes to the govt. than lower prices to the
businessman and high taxes to a govt. that uses tax revenues to slowly
take away your freedom. The Democrats said it's time for a change. Now
that they are in power I'm beginning to agree with them. It's time for a
change in countries.

Wilbur Hubbard