The Older Man

Walking up to the grocery store, I watched a red sports car pull into handicapped parking, the driver jumped out, and headed for the ATM.

A blue car approached the handicap spaces, saw none was available,and chose another parking spot. The driver parked to close to the car next to him, could not open his back door, and a lady passing by assisted him with his wheelchair, pushing him into the store.

I slowed my pace, ducked my head down, and looked for a handicap placate on the rearview mirror of the red sports car. It was foolish for me to think he had one the way he dashed to the ATM. He was unsuccessful, and stomped into the store.

He was complaining to the manager about the ATM as they came outside. I stood and listened as he continued his tirade, and when finished, the manager asked him if he had a handicap placate.  He said I stop here all the time and it only takes a minute. The manager told him to move his car, and the next time he saw him parked there was going to call the police. He jumped into his car and sped out of the lot.

My wife is handicapped and I am sick of hearing I will be just a minute.

These inconsiderate idiots are capable of walking, but are too lazy to walk fifty yards or less. Our society is the me generation, and people never consider how their actions affect other people, especially those needing handicap parking.

Parking in these spots without a placard brings a $250 fine. When healthy people get these tickets, it brings outrage or ignorance. They feel the fine is too excessive, or they did not see the sign. People bitch about the $250, lets increase it to $500, and they will complain it is unfair.

I say let us really piss them off. Money does not punish them enough, but placing the Denver boot on all four wheels for three days will. If, that fails confine them to a wheel chair for one week. This, I am sure will bring out protesters in front of government offices complaining about the harshness of the law.

Until we demand more enforcement and less rhetoric, nothing will change. It is up to individuals to watch out for their handicapped neighbors, and realize they need the spot, as it only takes a minute.