What I Want to Change, But Wouldn't Even If I Could, Except for Some

I always default to a position of individual freedom as long as that freedom doesn't infringe on my freedom. Even if I were king of the world, no law would be made abridging these freedoms, but from a personal standpoint, here are some things I wish just, well...I just wished they weren't. Call me old and traditional if you must.

• Young people, and some not so young walking around with pants that are far too big for their bodies and their underwear hanging out. Not sure what message they are trying to send, but I don't get it.

• Folks walking around looking like their faces have fallen into a tackle box.  These piercings had to have hurt when done and now, they hurt me when I look at them. And they wonder why a prospective employer may look elsewhere. I know, I know. It's what's in a person's heart and in their drive, not the way they choose to look. 

• Tattooing that covers all the exposed skin on a person's body. Tattooing is a brand of sorts that makes a statement. What kind of statement? I don't know.

• Those  who eat their meals at a dining table while wearing baseball caps or other non-essential headgear. Where did simple table manners go?

• Bad tippers. If you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip. Servers typically work for $2.13 an hour. I recently watched a couple at the Red Lobster eat and drink a bunch. Bill was right at $70.00. I knew this because he complained out loud when he got it. I saw him leave $2.00 when he got his change from a hundred. Next time guy, take your girlfriend to Burger King or Mickey D's. Tipping there is not even expected.

Let me emphasize that I would not do anything to change a person's right to do the above, and would oppose anybody who would try to make that behavior legally prohibited.

Now, a couple of things I would like to see changed and would support enforcement of the law(s) necessary to change them.

• Drivers, particularly on U.S. 41 North at the 411 on ramp driving in the right lane when traffic at the on ramp is backed up. You are impeding the flow of traffic when you could, most of the time, simply merge into the right lane and let that on ramp traffic into the 41 N. lane.

• Loud mufflers. Whether it's the buzz pipes on these little Honda's running around or the Harley hogs. They hurt my ears and cause noise pollution. I remember having glass pack mufflers when I was much younger. I also remember being ticketed for making them sound off. I wish that were still the case. I never could justify ticketing a car or truck with loud mufflers when the Harley hogs were louder than they were. It has to be a power thing but it sure is annoying. A friend of mine who rides a very loud Harley got miffed recently when a very loud stereo in a car came by where we were sitting at a traffic light. He said basically, "There oughta be law." I laughed. He then tried to convince me it was somehow different. He failed.

That's all the complaints I can think of right now. Have a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving, and I will be thankful that we still live in a country where my ramblings are tolerated.