[There are] several responses to the DOJ's attack on Ferguson's enforcement of its ordinances pertaining to matters such as parking. First, it is none of the federal government's business. The price of a parking ticket and the penalties for not paying them on time are issues of purely local concern.
Second, there is no basis for inferring racism from Ferguson's parking enforcement practices. Cities and municipalities throughout the nation generate revenue from the policing of parking violations and the like.
For example, Washington, DC, whose government is run by African-American officials, raises a significant amount of revenue by ticketing parking violators, including a large number of white suburbanites who park in the District (me, for example). This isn't racism or even anti-suburban bias. It's not personal; it's just business.
Third, there's an easy way to thwart "revenue generation through policing." Obey the parking rules and other municipal ordinances, and don't exceed the speed limit. In the event of a violation, pay your fine on time and don't blow off any court appearances. Is this too much to ask?
If Senators Rand Paul and Corey Booker have had anything to say about the Big Government absurdity of federal clucking about parking tickets, I haven't seen it. Federalism, it seems, is a sometime thing.
I agree 100% with the overall premise.
However, I would like to do away with "revenue generation through policing." It is often just a hidden tax and I want all my taxes out in the open. (There should not even be taxes removed from our paychecks. We should have to write a check every month.) Furthermore, it encourages police to act outside the public interest. Sometimes, a warning to the housewife who is obviously having a terrible day getting the kids up, fed, and across town is the better option than generating $150 for the city. I just do not see cops give breaks anymore and it is mainly due to this system.
Instead, allow offenders pay their fines to the charity of their choice, limited only by government approval in order to determine the charity is authentic.
I agree so long as the designated charity is, "The Part-Time Law Professors Fund to Help with Getting Through the Winter in Hawaii."
Hey, look, some people need a hand up.