Posted On: March 21, 2005, 2:55 pm CST

Posted By: Rod Guilmette

To Joe
This is a rebuttal to my piece?

First, I qualified my comments by saying that not all scofflaws are poor (losers).

Second, I have over thirty years as a P&C personal lines agent, so I, too, am very experienced with customers ranging from poor to very rich. Perhaps your book of business does not include people of very modest means (losers).

Now, to the meat:

I agree that owning a car is not a right, but in most cases it is a necessity. I know people who have had to use public transportion to go to and from work, do the shopping, keep appointments, etc.

I really don't think most people have any idea of the of the time and difficulty involved. They only think of "I'll drive my car to the station and hop on the commuter train to work." Of course, when they get back, they get in their car and stop at the supermarket to pick up food and other things. They also don't use public transport to go to appointments or pick up the kids.

Nope - can't buy that argument. And by the way, food, water and heating is not a right, either. Nor is medical care.

I don't know any poor people (losers you call them) who can afford a $40,000 SUV. First, they can't pay in cash. Second, they can't afford the down payment, assuming they qualify for financing. Third, if they did finance this here SUV, they'd be required to carry at least VSI Collision & Comp - which is usually more expensive than getting a regular auto policy with Liability and Coll & Comp included.

Now, if you are talking strictly about those who have the money and still don't buy liability insurance, we are in agreement - they are scofflaws.