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Thank you. It really makes it easier to do my job when I know somebody actually cares that I'm out patroling.

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Several things - I appreciate you realizing that this isn't a 'safe' job - for us or the criminals. Secondly - many PD's and Offices have policies that we have to chase - unless it poses too much of a threat to chase them - This means we will do whatever it takes to apprehend our suspect. Finally, it's okay - I just felt like I needed to get that off my chest - I deal with stuff every day, that quite honestly, is tough to deal with. Having to make decisions that will hurt people is a common occurance for us - whether it be taking steps which will involve the removal of children from there parents (Which sometimes is good, but usually, it hurts everyone involved) or dealing with the stress of of doing whats right in tough cases. Its not an easy job - also not for the faint of heart. Simple as that.

Wow. That was mature.   

We'd already established that, but thanks.

The sad part is is that so many friggin' laws have been passed by our nanny state politicians that they can ALWAYS get you for SOMETHING if they want to...and many DO want to...depending on what side of the bed they woke up on that day...

In the right context (like a comedy production) I think ANYTHING is funny. I love Reno 911; it brutally satirizes cop, perp, and honest citizen alike, not to mention the fascination with shows like COPS (hey, I watch it too:"c'mere, look at this crazy hillbilly!")
However, I think drunk drivers get off easy in most states in the US. It's a crime in the real sense, not just a violation of some "quality of life" statute, and laws and procedures to combat it shouldn't be just  an excuse to get revenue for the state thru fines and bail, with no real teeth.  America's highways are like a slaughterhouse, thanks to drunk drivers and others who are behind the wheel when they shouldn't be.  The excuse "I was drunk!" doesn't cut it when one's driving impaired... you know what you're doing when you grab the keys to go out drinking, and there's that point where you're on the edge, and decide to have just one more drink (while you're still sober enough to make a sound call). But really harsh measures, like permanently yanking one's license to drive anywhere in the U.S., FOREVER, or sentences equal to those for murder when lives are lost,  would never pass, because in addition to thinking driving is a God-given right (not a privilege), most of my countrymen seem to feel the same way about driving drunk (or high on anything, including presciption meds). They think that just because they can usually make it home OK with one eye shut, they're not at risk to themselves or others. Even some members of the law enforcement community (and other respected civil servants) are under this delusion, or so the accident record in my area would indicate.  None of these sociopaths thinks: "Yep, tonight I'm gonna go get plowed, then wipe out a whole family", they think: "It'll be OK, I've always made it home..."  And yet the carnage continues.  Be careful out there, people...

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Woah there sparky. These laws aren't for politicians - I happen to work for Uncle Sam and I can tell you right now - most of these laws COST politicians a whole lot. These laws are for YOUR protection. You may not understand these laws, but believe me - if they weren't there, you'd wish they were. Just believe me on this - laws are more important than most people think they are.

You are correct about certain laws, however, there are many that I would consider a hinderance to the free state and to society.

You may whole heartedly disagree with me on this, but this one has a profound impact.

*** Most states require a permit to carry a concealed firearm.

I will state that Alaska used to have this law, but it was removed because it was deemed unconstitutional to our State Constitution (and is, according to the words of the 2nd amenment, unconstitutional to the U.S. Constitution). There is more, however. In Alaska, if I had a permit to carry a concealed firearm, and I got pulled over, when the Officer gets information via the license plate, it will read "Known to be armed." Now, this may seem O.K. to most people, but now the Officer is going to be/do one or more of the following:

1. A little nervous.
I don't want to be around any Officer who has a firearm and is nervous, it makes me afraid to go for my license and registration. (Happened to me already, even though I had no permit, and I did not have a firearm with me) I know this is mostly poor training, but it is also the nature of the job I guess.

2. Ask for the firearm during conversations with the Officer.
If the Officer does not trust me with my firearm, I do not trust him. If he askes me to hand my firearm to him, I will ask for his. He does not have the privilage to take my firearm unless he has reasonable cause. I will not tell him I have it unless he askes me directly.

3. Call for backup.
Even though nothing more than a tail light out, or 7 mph over the speed limit happened here, the Officer has already made the decision that you are guilty for some crime other than the one he witnessed due to the "Known to be armed" phrase on the computer. This has happend to a friend I know because there was a robbery reported a few miles away within the last 5 minutes of the incident.

I'll stop here, I could go on for hours, but I want to sleep sometime tonight.

Deputy, please let me know your views on this subject, I'm curious to hear them from an Officer's point of view.