In Tennessee, the state has begun working with TSA to harass truck drivers at weigh stations (like the various state agencies that performed this function were not adequate) and people at bus stations (like the poor waiting for transportation really need an extra moment of legalized harassment).
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15725035/officials-claim-tennessee-becomes-first-state-to-deploy-vipr-statewide
And, if Tennessee's new harass the American People efforts aren't enough for you to think about joining Occupy Wall Street, then, perhaps Louisiana's recent move to illegalize currency (cold hard cash) will piss you all the way off. If this isn't a sign of government and banks trying to screw small business and non-bank users (i.e., the poor who often aren't eligible to have bank accounts) I really don't know what is:
http://www.klfy.com/story/15717759/second-hand-dealer-law
Don't take the news for it (bottom of page 28 and top of page 29):
http://house.louisiana.gov/Agendas_2011/Highlights_2011_Sessions.pdf
Or, if you prefer:
http://la.opengovernment.org/system/bill_documents/001/222/442/original/streamdocument.asp?1310499239
So, because I was horrified that the state that I live and do business in has now directly threatened one of the ways that I do business (flea markets)...I thought I'd do a little research on federal currency laws to see what the Federal law says...
Treasury Dept. says business owners can determine their own cash, debit, credit, check, money order acceptance policies, UNLESS there is a state law that prevents a business from setting their own policy. Basically, the Fed says that Louisiana lawmakers can do what they want, including strong-arming small business owners (who accept cash for second-hand goods) into using bank services they cannot afford. This screws the poor people who shop at second-hand stores and it screws small business owners...nonprofits (Goodwill) and government contractors (Construction - building material resale) are exempt from this state government maneuver meant to further criminalize poverty:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Currency/Pages/legal-tender.aspx
Two words for you Louisiana: CASH ONLY!
And, in South Carolina legislation has been introduced to switch back to gold and silver currency (this guy doesn't want to use the dollar any more:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-6217403-503544.html
If you prefer Mike Pitts bill (H 4128):
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/4128.htm
Interestingly, there is a similar bill in South Carolina's State Senate (S 862):
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/862.htm
It appears that Rep. Mike Pitts is a real gem, he would also like to kick the U.S. Dept. of Education out of South Carolina:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/3272.htm
