Cell Phony The past three days, world markets have been whipsawed over concern that the credit crisis is going to lead to a recession in the US. Congress and the President in a rare moment of bi-partisanship are rushing a stimulus package to bring confidence back to the markets, even while it is acknowledged that whatever stimulus is agreed to won’t have an immediate effect.

In Maryland, it is time to throw out last fall’s revenue projections as the downturn in the real estate market will likely extend through 2008. The sales tax increase may only soften somewhat the decline in retail sales tax receipts as worried consumers extend their cautious buying well into the New Year.

Prices at the pump are pinching consumers’ pockets and declining home sales are going to similarly pinch the flow of revenues into the state’s bank account.

The state’s revenue picture will be much worse than projected last fall. The Governor has already played his hand on taxes in the special session last fall before the extent of the credit and housing crisis was known. Now he won’t have much room to maneuver and will have to look to spending cuts to balance the budget.

When the world is falling around your ears, it’s better to find other things to talk about. If you are a member of the Maryland General Assembly and are powerless to stop the credit crisis or the decline in the value of everyone’s home, and you want improve the common good, what do you do? How about introducing a bill to ban the use of hand held cell phones while driving?

Telling people they can’t use hand held phones in their cars is like telling teenagers to just say no to sex. It sounds nice but it isn’t reality. Cell phones have become one of life’s necessities, like cars and computers. We all drive and talk on our phones even though we know it is distracting and potentially dangerous. You don’t need to look at statistics to know that. I use a hands free and I still find that distracting, but no more distracting than kids fighting in the back seat or having an argument with your girlfriend (mine once got pulled over for going 85 in a 60 mile hour zone while yelling at me about something that I am sure justified the $150 fine she had to pay).

Even if a law is passed, this one is guaranteed to be broken by everyone. Enforcement will necessarily be selective. Like speeding, everyone will do it and take the chance of being caught.

Legislators are always looking for ways to do something to justify their pay and existence. It is an understandable human trait. In this case, instead of doing something, we should be satisfied to pay them just to stand there.

Labels: cell phones, legislature, Maryland

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