California is a Scary Place

Let it be known that I anticipate from the following a karmic backlash in the form of multiple citations and moving violations, but I feel strongly that I have an argument to present that validates such retribution.

What with the budget shortfall and looming bankruptcy, California State employees have regular unpaid days off because the state just can't keep everything up and running, even if it's a school or library or desperately overwhelmed DMV office.
At the same time, I've seen at least one county sheriff and one highway patrol on each leg of my commute, every day I've gone to work. Busy days, I'll see five of each.
I understand that these safety officers are out there to enforce laws, and that laws were designed to protect us. And such a police presence has made for the unprecedented experience of someone being stupid in my presence--i.e. passing on a corner during a blizzard--getting nailed in the act. But I also recognize that these public servants write tickets for people driving 40, 50, or 55. Yes, there are times it is not safe to drive 50 past crossroads. But there are also times 35 is too slow on a dry, wide, empty highway.
In light of the budget cuts, I can only surmise that these men and women more than pay for themselves with citations written. And it bugs the hell out of me.
When did traffic violations cross from punitive measures to maintain safety into state bankroll?
If maintaining safety has diverted into a quest for ducats, what message are we to draw from our leaders? What are we to teach our children--safety is good provided there's ot a more profitable pursuit?

To drive around here is to negotiate a squadron of safety officers itching to write citations for driving 6 over the speed limit. Nearby, an armada of automated cameras blankets intersections with traffic signals.
During a severe budget crunch, safety gets subsumed in the pursuit of profitability.
My real question is at what point the fear of punishment for unknowingly or unwittingly transgressing traffic code becomes a form of state sponsored terror?