Power to the People

[nashoi]

I agree with the idea in the OP of abolishing the ban and just enforcing existing laws on anti-social behaviour, but not with the idea of turning a blind eye. How long does it take for this form of discretion to become discrimination? Putting the power of judge and jury into the hands of someone whose main qualification is that they've been issued with a hi-vis jacket by the council seems quite risky. Also the main defence the council worker has when the inevitable argument starts is that they have no discretionary power, if you disagree with a parking ticket appeal to the coucil not the parking attendant. Lawyers can argue about what's reasonable and what isn't all day long in court without any harm done (except to the public purse), the same argument out on the street won't be quite so civilized. Yes to less law and no to more discretion.

[lenk]

I drink everywhere - in parks, on buses, on the street - I've never been told to stop by anyone. If it was a man in a fluo jacket I would probbly ignore him to be honest.

[PeckhamRose]

I'm all for a benevolent dictatorship.

As long as I am boss.

I also agree with P J O'Rourke who wrote along the lines of capitalism having benefited the most people most of the time.