Little-Acorn
Well-Known Member
Yes folks, the idea that we don't pay enough taxes is alive and well in Washington. In fact, it is undergoing a resurgence.
Isn't it cute the way this guy says he wants to charge this tax "rather than" the current Federal per-gallon gasoline tax? Yep, I'm convinced he will repeal the per-gallon tax, so we won't wind up with both. Yup, uh-huh.
And the idea of the government putting a GPS chip in my car so it can watch how far I'm driving, is similarly delightful. Of course, such info can be directly translated into how fast I drove, where I went, etc. And it's simple for govt computers to keep that info in a log, for later review as government sees fit.
But I'm similarly convinced, that I can trust the government not to abuse that info, to wipe it as soon as it's collected, and to never use it for purposes that weren't originally intended. Just as they promised to do for my Social Security number, my cell phone records, my concealed-carry permit.....
I'm SO glad we voted Barack Obama into office, so he could appoint people like this to his cabinet, who REALLY know what government is for.
After all, how can government take care of us, unless they watch and keep track of us?
----------------------------------
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-lahood-vehicle-mileage-tax,0,6754105,print.story
Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax
By JOAN LOWY, Associated Press Writer
7:17 AM EST, February 20, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he wants to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn — an idea that has angered drivers in some states where it has been proposed.
Gasoline taxes that for nearly half a century have paid for the federal share of highway and bridge construction can no longer be counted on to raise enough money to keep the nation's transportation system moving, LaHood said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"We should look at the vehicular miles program where people are actually clocked on the number of miles that they traveled," the former Illinois Republican lawmaker said.
Most transportation experts see a vehicle miles traveled tax as a long-term solution, but Congress is being urged to move in that direction now by funding pilot projects.
Isn't it cute the way this guy says he wants to charge this tax "rather than" the current Federal per-gallon gasoline tax? Yep, I'm convinced he will repeal the per-gallon tax, so we won't wind up with both. Yup, uh-huh.
And the idea of the government putting a GPS chip in my car so it can watch how far I'm driving, is similarly delightful. Of course, such info can be directly translated into how fast I drove, where I went, etc. And it's simple for govt computers to keep that info in a log, for later review as government sees fit.
But I'm similarly convinced, that I can trust the government not to abuse that info, to wipe it as soon as it's collected, and to never use it for purposes that weren't originally intended. Just as they promised to do for my Social Security number, my cell phone records, my concealed-carry permit.....
I'm SO glad we voted Barack Obama into office, so he could appoint people like this to his cabinet, who REALLY know what government is for.
After all, how can government take care of us, unless they watch and keep track of us?
----------------------------------
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-lahood-vehicle-mileage-tax,0,6754105,print.story
Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax
By JOAN LOWY, Associated Press Writer
7:17 AM EST, February 20, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he wants to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn — an idea that has angered drivers in some states where it has been proposed.
Gasoline taxes that for nearly half a century have paid for the federal share of highway and bridge construction can no longer be counted on to raise enough money to keep the nation's transportation system moving, LaHood said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"We should look at the vehicular miles program where people are actually clocked on the number of miles that they traveled," the former Illinois Republican lawmaker said.
Most transportation experts see a vehicle miles traveled tax as a long-term solution, but Congress is being urged to move in that direction now by funding pilot projects.
