John Oliver really knows how to pick his discussion topics for Last Week Tonight. After generating righteous indignation over ostensibly dull issues like net neutrality and infrastructure maintenance, he’s moved on to municipal violations.
Municipal violations are misdemeanors like loitering, public urination, and speeding. The usual punishment is a fine, but for many people, even a meager fine is impossible to pay off given their circumstances. And if you can’t afford the fine, then you definitely won’t be able to pay all the additional charges that local governments often attach to the original payment.
The end result is something Oliver describes as a “hamster wheel of Hell,” as people struggle to repay endless surcharges or face arrest. In some cases, it can ruin lives.
The segment ends with one of Last Week Tonight‘s signature parody PSAs, demanding that local governments “shut down the f**barrel” of unfair municipal fines.
After all, everyone makes mistakes, and no one deserves to lose their entire livelihood over something as petty as a speeding ticket.
Screengrab via Last Week Tonight/YouTube