Snow duty
I live in the UK. Climate wise, it’s OK, we get to grow most crops and the winters are not too severe and the summers are not at all monotonous!
Snow storms do bring this country to its knees though. Major routes are focused on as they are a lot easier to manage but that leaves many streets where people live unnavigable. But that makes sense in terms of logistics – focus on the many and let individuals fend for themselves.
Why don’t we have Snow Duty? Every 4 years, one in every four house in a street has Snow Duty meaning they have snow and shovels and they are responsible for keeping their street clear. Part of the package is a reduction in your council tax – so you get paid for your labour and the inconvience, even if you don’t actually have snow that year – the 25% of the population is enough to ensure that injury and illness and plain being away mean the street is covered. Where people don’t pull their weight their neighbours can complain a system can exist for recouping the money.
This would still leave some minor roads unmanaged but it could really help London and the denser villages in the country.
Posted: February 3rd, 2009 under 42.