Bobby Franklin: Let’s do away with driver’s licenses
The Lone Ranger rides again.
State Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, has discovered a way to end the fractious debate over whether illegal immigrants should be able to have driver’s licenses.
Or 12-year-olds, for that matter. Just do away with the troublesome documents.
State Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, in a 2008 photo mocking his colleagues’ observation that he’s often the “Lone Ranger” on issues championed by his bills. Elissa Eubanks, eeubanks@ajc.com
Sandra Parrish with AM750 and now 95.5FM News/Talk WSB talked to Franklin about his bill this morning. Listen to the conversation here.
Likewise, CBS Atlanta today gave some noon air time to the – let’s admit – unusual legislation. Video is now online, but here’s what’s posted about Franklin’s “Right to Travel Act:”
CBS Atlanta’s Rebekka Schramm asked Franklin, “How are we going to keep up with who’s who and who’s on the roads and who’s not supposed to be on the roads?”
“That’s a great question,” Franklin said. “And I would have to answer that with a question, ‘Why do you need to know who’s who?’”
“What about 12-14-year-olds who want to drive? What would stop them?” Schramm asked.
“Well, what’s stopping them now anyway?” Franklin answered.
Let us answer Franklin’s question right away: Millions of parents are stopping them, in the name of a law that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. Another roadblock: The constant fatalities, including this morning’s death of a “HERO” unit operator, that remind us that driving is serious business.
So it’s likely that we’ll continue to be burdened with driver’s licenses, despite the lawmaker’s contention that the right to burn unleaded dates back to King John. From Franklin’s HB 7:
In England in 1215, the right to travel was enshrined in Article 42 of Magna Carta: It shall be lawful to any person, for the future, to go out of our kingdom, and to return, safely and securely, by land or by water, saving his allegiance to us, unless it be in time of war, for some short space, for the common good of the kingdom: excepting prisoners and outlaws, according to the laws of the land, and of the people of the nation at war against us, and Merchants who shall be treated as it is said above.
Franklin has a concept of limited government that may sound strange to some. He has already introduced legislation demanding that state transactions be conducted in gold or silver. Franklin regularly attempts to define abortion as murder through legislation filed each year.
His answer to the debate over gay marriage? What business does the government have saying who should wed who? But that hasn’t made it into a bill. Not yet.
Addendum: Before the House adjourned today, the chamber took up the matter of the Senate’s override of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s veto of last year’s zero-based budgeting bill. House Speaker David Ralston sent the Senate’s veto message to a committee, where it will most certainly perish.
But state Rep. Bobby Franklin challenged the speaker’s ruling. The state constitution required that the House tackle the question of the veto immediately – on the floor. The vote upholding the speaker’s ruling was 164 to 1.
The Lone Ranger had struck yet again.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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251 comments Add your comment
cs
January 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
the right to burn unleaded dates back to King John
Das funny right there I dont care who you are.
Tweets that mention Bobby Franklin: Let's do away with driver's licenses | Political Insider -- Topsy.com
January 31st, 2011
2:40 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim Galloway, William Borrelli. William Borrelli said: RT @politicalinsidr: Bobby Franklin: Let’s do away with driver’s licenses http://bit.ly/gMz86V [...]
d
January 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
@ To be fair…..hmm..the guy was being a smart a$$… on the publics dime and time?…in a time a time as critical as this? If hes color blind maybe he should drive..he cant distinguish the signs that way?
DannyX
January 31st, 2011
2:42 pm
This is all the fault of the gays. We told you this would happen.
We were very much against gays getting drivers licenses. We told you, and told you, giving gays the right to drive would one day lead to animals driving cars.
This bill opens the door for that. What is going to stop your dog from stealing the keys and taking a spin? NOTHING.
We told you so.
jeas3
January 31st, 2011
2:43 pm
@Truth – I think that what you meant to say was that English one of the languages that is spoken in America. America, as you will recall, is usually used to refer to either the landmasses of North and South America OR to the United States of America (our country). Assuming that you meant the USA, you would do well to remember that English is only one of many languages spoken here, the same as in many other countries throughout the world. One of the nice things about living here in the USA is of course our First Amendment guarantee to freedom of speech in all its forms – English and otherwise. Unlike other countries where I could be imprisoned for unpopular speech, here in the USA (the greatest country on Earth), I can call you an idiot without fearing reprisal (other than an uneducated, bigoted reprisal post of course). You’re an idiot. Have a nice day!
GApeach
January 31st, 2011
2:43 pm
I don’t understand why they are wasting there time one this “do away with licenses” bullsh*t. They should be discussing how to get our unemployment rate down to a normal percentage. How about stop talking about things that aren’t going to happy and get the Georgia people back to work!
Ken
January 31st, 2011
2:44 pm
Why aren’t you posting my comments?
Grant Park Diva
January 31st, 2011
2:45 pm
Wait, let me get this straight…
Dear Mr. Representative Franklin does not think it’s the government’s business to define marriage, but does think it’s the government’s business to define abortion?
This is the type of mentality that drove me out of Marietta- with a valid license, of course.
GApeach
January 31st, 2011
2:46 pm
I don’t understand why they are wasting there time one this “do away with licenses” bullsh*t. They should be discussing how to get our unemployment rate down to a normal percentage. How about stop talking about things that aren’t going to happen and get the Georgia people back to work!
matt
January 31st, 2011
2:46 pm
I like this guy. We need more libertarian minded politicials who don’t wake up in the morning with the goal of telling people what to do.
Ken
January 31st, 2011
2:49 pm
Was the driver of the truck towing a landscape trailer that hit and killed the HERO driver a licensed driver?
Ken
January 31st, 2011
2:49 pm
So you don’t allow “ILLEGAL”?
GApeach
January 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
@Ken more than likely it was an illegal immigrant. We have TOO many of those roaming around GA.
TrickleDownStupid
January 31st, 2011
2:51 pm
Bobby Franklin actaully has a lot in common with the people who elected him. They are the same people who voted for our current governor.
JRS
January 31st, 2011
2:51 pm
Who ELECTED this BOZO anyway?!
Hondo
January 31st, 2011
2:53 pm
He’s right. The government shouldn’t tell us who can or cannot drive. They do however have the right to tell us we cannot drive on a government funded and maintained road without a permit to do so. So let the 12 year olds & illegals drive all they want on their own front yards.
P.S: Is this guy related to Cynthia?
GApeach
January 31st, 2011
2:54 pm
@Hondo they do NOT have the right to tell us we can’t drive on the “government funded” roads! we paid for the roads!!
Just an Idiot
January 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
I’m a Republitarian but this is just plain stupid. Only thing that’s stupider is a Democrat.
A H Goldstein
January 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
This Character prooves one quack is as quacky as an other, both parties exhibit NUTS!
Bubba
January 31st, 2011
2:59 pm
Since we no longer have Lester Maddox or Roscoe Dean, Rep. Franklin provides our comic relief. On the other hand, he is a nut case and totally useless.
JDW
January 31st, 2011
2:59 pm
Should we really waste ink, virtual or not, by printing the ramblings of lunatics?
Will
January 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
HAHA, what a joke. Government officials never seize to amaze me. Hey buddy lets just get rid of social security cards as well. Nothing matters anymore, we have idiots that WE elect in to office.
A H Goldstein
January 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
Trickle down stupid! does this identify that you are a socialist democrat?
DannyX
January 31st, 2011
3:01 pm
Our state will tip over from the weight of all those extra cars on our roads driven by all the excited 12 year olds that will leave their state for the opportunity to get stuck in Atlanta traffic.
Will
January 31st, 2011
3:02 pm
Oh by the way , A H Goldstein I absolutely agree with your comment. Ha Great!
JT
January 31st, 2011
3:02 pm
This is a serious reason for voters to consider exactly WHO they are electing to office……amazing….
smokemonsterbrother
January 31st, 2011
3:02 pm
stupid idea by a stupid man
DannyX
January 31st, 2011
3:02 pm
This is what Roy Barnes was warning everyone about.
jdl2
January 31st, 2011
3:05 pm
So we’re firing teachers and stripping money from education, this is what happens. If he really cares so little about our money to put this sort of stupidity forward, he should be recalled. I’ll sign the petition if anybody has one started already.
luangtom
January 31st, 2011
3:06 pm
Interesting….I do agree that the way some Atlanta-area drivers perform makes it seem like they got their licenses from a box of CrackerJack. Little, if anything, taught in driver-training seems to be followed and practiced. Oh, wait, I forgot, lotsa drivers never took driver-training behind the wheel.
Rob
January 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
When will people be smart enough to kick these idiots out of office
Heavens to Murgatroid
January 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
There ARE some drunkards and drug users who stay off the roads because of the potential of winding up in jail. Licenses I presume are one way of keeping track of drivers.
Someone in another post compared this crackpottery to cynthia mckinney, good comparison.
What we don’t need now is a lack of (law and) order.
Because people choose NOT to obey laws is not a good reason not to have them.
Govt ID? I think as it is, it is ok, because I have to answer to the govt for a number of things, I think the govt IS responsible for enforcing some things they do not do.
I wish it were safe to give power back to the police to enforce, but then they often wind up abusing it.
Driving is dmn serious business. I can attest to having over ten years of my life ruined because of a cell phone busy driver. (constant pain, loss of work and all that entails)
Where do we dig up these people with crackpot ideas?
People rob banks and convenience stores, shall we do away with laws that forbid them to do that?
Freedom lover
January 31st, 2011
3:10 pm
Wow, a GA legislator with a clue. Who would have thought. The problem of course originates with the government monopoly on road construction and ownership. There is certainly no reason for the current way in which roads are handled except the need for power and control and a general disrepect for private property rights. Were roads owned and managed by private entities the state wouldn’t be able to just go where they want, when they want, ticket whomever they want for whatever trumped up reason they want, etc. For an outstanding evaluation of the alternatives to the current failed government model, check out “Privatization of Roads and Highways” by Walter Block. It will really give you something to think about.
But even with the current government monopoly, the government has absolutely NO incentive to care about who drives except as it serves them politically – can you say teen drivers? To them, every driver is just another source of revenue. They certainly don’t care about how unsafe the roads are, or the hazardous intersections that blanket this city, why would they REALLY care about safety. The INSURANCE companies on the other hand certainly do have a vested financial stake in safe driving. They are typically the ones most impacted by collisions. Were they to regulate who operated a vehicle, I can certainly say that the quality of driver’s ed would improve, the innovations in techology for keeping dangerous folks off the roads would improve, and overall there would finally be a true focus on safe operation of vehicles without the overburdening political motivations for control and revenue that currently direct government policy.
But Mr. Franklin should really take a look at Mr. Block’s book and make the bigger proposal to end government ownership and maintenance of the highways. We would all be better off and safer with such a move.
Practice what you preach
January 31st, 2011
3:11 pm
There should be limits on government.
Franklin can show that he truly believes that by resigning immediately and returning his paycheck to the State of Georgia.
Georgia state legislators make $17,342 per year plus a per diem of $173 per day.
bart
January 31st, 2011
3:12 pm
How does this clown get elected year after year? He is a joke and completely irrelelvant, so his constituents essentially have no representation. But…I guess they don’t care.
Down by the Tracks
January 31st, 2011
3:13 pm
We keep electing clowns like this, sending them to Atlanta and then wonder why all we ever have is a Circus!!!!!!!!
PTC DAWG
January 31st, 2011
3:13 pm
The government doesn’t control who drives…on private property. This guy is nuts for thinking we don’t need to regulate drivers in some way on public roads.
Michael
January 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
Actually the law does regulate driving on private property. Go ahead, get drunk and then go driving in your tractor or four-wheeler. My DUI retainers start at $3,000.
SolowShine
January 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
He’s not that much of an idiot…….he’s in office. He makes a good point too. There are people who are 50 years old who have had multiple DUI’s, accidents and every other infraction in the book while there are responsible 16 year olds who have NEVER had an issue on the road. Driver’s licenses are nothing more than another way for the government to keep tabs on you and generate revenue. I also feel that there should be a ONE time fee for a license instead of having to pay every few years. Some of you feel that it’s a privilege because that’s what your were conditioned by the issuing government to believe. The key word here is: OBEY. Think about it.
barneyb
January 31st, 2011
3:20 pm
Bobby Franklin is an idiot! Something involving public safety doesn’t require a license?
jr1
January 31st, 2011
3:20 pm
Thats why you idiots in GA are the stupidest morons on the face of the earth. The federal gov’t should nuke this crappy state with all you dumba**es in it.
Michael
January 31st, 2011
3:22 pm
As for needing a license to fly a plane — I believe the FAA doesn’t regulate anything that flies below 200 feet –> Ultralights.
I wonder if the founders needed a license to drive a horse, or a horse and wagon, and if there were licensing fees for the horse, and some for the carriage. Using Scalia’s logic, the founders didn’t say anything about regulating roads and airspace so of course anything regarding it is unconstitutional.
phil c
January 31st, 2011
3:22 pm
What else would you expect in a state where most of the population thinks that “The Flintstones” is a documentary.
Lojbud
January 31st, 2011
3:24 pm
It’s hard to imagine that the people of Marietta are stupid enough to vote for a guy that is as goofy as this into office. Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin, Rand Paul, Paul Broun, Bobby Franklin…it’s time to reopen all of the state institutions for the mentally deranged again…
Sandra
January 31st, 2011
3:25 pm
This man is a kook! He wouldn’t survive in Egypt! Send him there for a few days.
It is more like the president of US sppointed him to this position. They both have
stupid opinions. They act unwisely.
to Freedom Lover
January 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
One considerable flaw in the argument to allow insurance companies to regulate driving: enforcement.
It’s one thing to have a private company do the admin work, the customer service work, and even the risk analysis and risk reduction. Today, for example, call the dog-catcher in Fulton County….it’s a private service.
But things start to unravel when you need to enforce traffic laws. In order to do that, you need well trained and armed officers, who are accountable to the public.
Note a certain company called ‘Blackwater’ who are the same thing, private employees of a corporation given the task of law enforcement. While there are some benefits to having mercenaries of this type, the issues of accountability are insurmountable.
uhoh
January 31st, 2011
3:28 pm
In the words of the immortal John Belushi in Animal House, “this calls for a really stupid and futile gesture.”
Indeed it is sometimes best to illustrate the absurd by being absurd. Thanks for the laugh, certainly some truth in the sentiment.
Cobb Dawg
January 31st, 2011
3:29 pm
Interesting guy! Can’t go with him on the DL thing but I agree with him about gay marriage.
Billy Bob
January 31st, 2011
3:29 pm
Thank you Rep. Franklin for proving we have elected another complete moron to represent us! Cobb County has already had more than our share of complete dimwits with Newt, Bob Barr and the criminal Tom Price. You have no real answers for any of the problems facing the state or our country, you and your brain dead admirers only know you’re against everything!
Tosh.No
January 31st, 2011
3:33 pm
I think he is kind of right. Illegal immigrants don’t get liscenses anyway, so why make the rest of us. Then we can all get into accidents and give the name of some guy down the street, and not end up paying for anything! Already happens everyday here in GA, except that those of us with legal drivers liscenses have to deal with the consequences.