I have learned recently that Venice, Italy, is charging 5 euros to gain entry to the city. The city has experienced a high volume of profit. There are peak times that they charge; there are 29 dates from April to mid-July, mostly holidays and weekends, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m..

Realizing that nothing in Venice costs under 5 euros, including coffee, it’s not too expensive in the big picture. The profit so far is 2.43 million euros, or about 2.75 million US dollars. That’s a lot of espressos.

Some people asked, “Why should I pay an entrance fee to a city?” It wouldn’t fly in New York City; imagine putting a turnstile at all the various ways to enter the city. They actually do have tolls, which is sort of the same thing. The E-Z pass for bridges and tunnels entering the city is $11.00-$14.00, depending on peak hours. Chicago and San Francisco all have these tolls; travel is a curse. They charge to enter Disneyland and Epcot. The only advantage is that in Disneyland and Venice, you don’t drive. Trams in Disneyland, gondolas, and water taxis in Venice.

There is always a side hustle to these fees, and there is no way to escape them. If you drive or walk, you are charged. Parking at sporting events is so expensive that gas is taxed and relaxed.

Wouldn’t it be Utopia if there was a society that existed with no cars, no gas, no taxes, and no entrance fees?

Can anyone make a suggestion? Maybe artistic intelligence can answer this riddle.