Published in two NC Papers(2/2012)

My progressive friends (if any) please forgive my twofaceness.

Perhaps it is true that application of the American founding documents should evolve. But why does every thing seem to change to the detriment of the individual? Is driving really a "privilege" ? Since the advent of the cash economy; and further since the advent of the suburbs, most of us born since WWII were born and raised miles away from a source of independent sustenance. And our best deal is likely tens of miles away. In addition,the home that we find ourselves in, regardless of radius, can be a most inhospitable place. So, while it may be a stretch to consider driving a right to life issue it is without a doubt a vital "pursuit of happiness" and "liberty" instrument in modern society. A motor vehicle is required.
Recall with me if you can the cars of the 70's and 80's. Your first car or college car had a lot of California inspired pollution control spaghetti that had a life expectancy that was somewhat less than that of the power train of the vehicle. Now, more recently, they have installed a number of in-line sensors on this mess and if any of the noodles OR any of the sensors becomes defective an alarm type indication illuminates on my dashboard. For several years the vehicle owner had the option of disregarding that light. Now North Carolina Law makes repairs mandatory for inspection purposes because a taddle-tale microprocessor talks to big brother effectively eliminating the decades old relationship status between motorist & shop of choice. I think there was an unwritten understanding that the the most important safety device on any vehicle was mounted between the steering wheel and the drivers seat headrest. An aspect of Americana I was fortunate to have experienced; now gone.
Further problematic is the fact that the inspection is a permissive for the vehicle registration. That plate sticker expiration date is evidently given priority over the 12 month inspection validation period effectively truncating the value that has been in effect for previous years.
My "Check Engine" Light is stuck on again & I find this distressing for several reasons. The vehicle has no power loss, & no noticeable emissions.  So a truck that runs fine is likely to be illegal in just a few short weeks because of this Kyoto regamaroo that some scientists and perhaps half of the American political establishment do not  even agree with. This has been  a warm winter....so far. But what about the last few winters? And even if Climate change is fact, are there not significant advantages to mankind such as less heating fuel needed, less road salt used, longer growing seasons, longer bikini seasons, more crops can grow closer to the polls & at higher altitudes & who knows what else? They are forcing sure problems on me now to remedy maybe problems in the future.
I am just not one for waiting around in a repair shop lobby & every time I leave the vehicle there I am told it shoud be ready at 1, but when I call at 3, they have not even put the car on the lift yet. Things like this cause me to do as much of my own work as I can. I prefer to schedule my own inconvenience. But people who have no electro-mechanical confidence are at the mercy of a shop over nothing significant much of the time.The lower middle class tend to keep a car as long as possible. A new car means not only payments but higher taxes & higher insurance. Article 3A can be a most regressive policy.
Clean air is a wonderful thing, but Nash County has < 200 people/sq.mi and is subject to a steady through breeze. States rights are a wonderful thing; in fact, I think I would rather feel violated by the Federal level than by the State. That would incur a more constitutional argument perhaps. For those who would say that the  OBD check comes from the EPA, now is the the time to inject that South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and likely many other states have not only no OBD check, but no inspection requirement- PERIOD.
I am a Tarheel by choice & not by birth. Much narrower is the fact that I came here from another rebel state. I am too economically grouted here now to leave & I don't want to leave. So------------CMON MAN!