Okay, so this thread is about near-future vehicles and the ability of what I call The Evil Eye In The Sky (FoMoCo, in this case) to shut you down, wherever you are. For whatever reason "they" deem prudent.
A natural extension of such over-reaching control of personal property leads minds to think of other things that TEEITS could control with the push of a button from far, far, away.
One possiblity: What happens when the federal gov't forces digital money on us, and eliminates/outlaws all other forms of fiat currency?
Capitalism and free enterprise are doomed.
Why?
TEEITS can/will turn off the digital spigot of funds anytime they want, for any made-up reason.
They can/will tax and devaluate your digi-currency, for any made-up reason.
They can/will freeze all of your digital assets at the push of a button, for any made-up reason.
Not to mention the very real possibility of your entire digital worth being hacked, stolen and/or obliterated.
The Barbarians are nearing the gate.
Some businesses right now are displaying signs reading "No Cash!"
I can't see how that is legal. (Richard...please explain.)
To refuse to abide by this sign-writing ridiculousness, all a customer has to do is to take any denomination bill out of their wallet and read one sentence out-loud to the person behind the counter: "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private."
I've read it out-loud so many times in the past two years that it's indelibly imprinted on my brain. I am always sure to speak slowly and emphasize "Legal Tender for ALL Debts."
When the snowflake employee inevitably shrugs and points to his/her hand-scrawled sign (usually in pretty crayon colors) I say: "What part of ALL DEBTS don't you understand? I then lay down the appropriate denomination of bill and stand there. If he/she won't take it, I leave the item I was going to purchase and walk out.
So, cash is already being refused And, unless you live completely off-the-grid and can survive that way, barter can only take you so far.
Tomorrow's world will be even worse. Glad I'm not any younger. At least I won't have to deal with it for long. I feel badly for our kids and grandkids.
Ford's press release that began this thread tries to put a happy spin on its over-reach. It'll probably snow some people. The flakes, for certain.
Me, I'm outta here...
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I'd smoke 'em even further, but I ran out of track.