Speech to the Meter-Maid by Sophie Scofield-Selby

Meter-maid, no one thinks more highly than I do of parking laws, as well as the areas they affect. But different situations will often cause one to look at such laws in a different light. The question before you is of awful moment to the ease of transportation in the downtown area. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of wealth or of brokenness. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of wastefulness and dishonesty towards all less affluent drivers.
Meter-maid, it is natural for a man to take the bus. It is an inexpensive and environmentally sound way of transporting oneself to and from our desired destinations. Are we inclined, therefore, to always take the bus, even when it means certain tardiness to already conceived plans? For my part, whatever anguish of gasoline it may cost, I am willing to occasionally drive to events that occur downtown.
I have but two headlights by which my tires are guided and those are the headlights of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past. And judging the past I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the city planners for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which drivers have been pleased to solace themselves? Is is that privately owned, terrifyingly expensive collection of parking lots that our complaints have been received? Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petitions comports with the no parking sign, and two-hour limit parking meters. Are theses restrictions necessary to a work of convenience and invitation? Let us not not deceive ourselves. These are the implements of inconvenience and general hostility.
I ask , what means these annoying rules, if it's purpose be not to force us to avoid downtown? Can drivers assign any other possible motives for it? They are meant to rid downtown of all cars, leaving only the poorly conceived metro system for movement. Shall we try compliance? We have been trying that for many a year, and the situation has only worsened. Let us not, I beseech you, deceive ourselves longer. We have grumbled and complained. Our grumbles have been ignored and our complaints slighted, and we have been shunned as environmentally unaware, and a hindrance to traffic. In vain, after these, we may indulge in the fond hope and more, cheaper parking. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to attain these privileges for which we have been so long refused, we must demand more, less expensive parking! I know not what course others may take: but as for me, give me reasonable parking or give me death!