A Real Conversation About Licensing

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I'd rather spend my money on making it better for my snakes. The amounts that you are all willing to give away for a piece of paper would go a long way in feeding your snakes, or perhaps improving their habitats. A mandated license would only pave the way for other complications, that would affect good owners as much as it would affect irresponsible owners. As I said before, everything comes at a price. Once a rule/requirement is implemented, there come the consequences, and in most cases they would be of financial nature (such as: why not make the license renewable, or why not impose an additional fee for each snake added to the collection?) I don't believe in accountability that is the result of forced measures or restrictions. I believe in sensible laws that should penalize irresponsible owners. Good people shouldn't have to pay for others' misdoings (in my view, this is what a license represents). And, Aaron, if licensing is not regulated by law, it is entirely ineffective, as there would be no legally available grounds to penalize someone for breaching rules. The implications of a license are very complex. Just like with any other regulatory measure, this issue would require time, effort and finances that no government is willing to afford, at least not without having a guaranteed financial benefit. So, I much prefer to enjoy my freedom, rather than having to pay an ever increasing price for a cause that has too many ethical ramifications to be translated into law.

I feed my snakes just fine as well as maintain their habitats. I would be willing to spend additional money on a license with no qualms.

This is a life long passion for me. Money is almost no object for my passion. Lori knows this and knows it would never be in question to apend money on a license if we needed to.

Too bad you don't really have freedom. Laws are here, more will come, this would bode well for fighting against them.

Are yoj suggesting if this came to be you'd shun the license and not be a contributing member of your hobby/community? Could USARK not somehow voice this and get xx amount of dollars allocated to defending against laws? Surely the government getting money LEGALLY (and votes) would help keep them from our walls.

Why not use the political game instead of fight it?

Also, I will say this here and now. Politics are not allowed on the forum so keep this GENERAL and not about parties or who is on what side to keep from being banned. I will not be gentle in this manner and Jason can ban me if I step over this line too.