Quote:
Originally Posted by WTF
Well that is a bit naïve. So we should just do away with the gas tax and raise taxes in general. Good luck with getting elected with that idea.
The tax should be increased for a number of reason one of which is to raise more revenue for repair and the other is to discourage wasteful gas consumption.
Do you object because it is a regressive tax? Do you want it to be more progressive?
I like the fact that it is regressive, poor people should be more selective in their travel choices, IMHO.
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No, I'm not talking about the existing gas tax. We already have that and it can't be used to track you.
And I am happy that is both reduced pollution and reduced gas consumption. I even favor raising those. I like some regressive taxes, too.
But I'm talking specifically about the new proposals for generating revenue because gas taxes aren't enough. The new taxes won't do much to reduce gas consumption because we are getting closer to the practical limits of high gas mileage unless we are willing to drive light weight plastic death traps that get 60 miles to the gallon.
And we won't get ANY mileage improvements at all from gas taxes if and when we move over to all electric cars that you charge in your home.
No, once we reach that point, the governments - state and federal - will just jack up the car taxes relentlessly and put the money into the general fund.
And it will be one of those easy sells whereby government convinces folks who don't drive a lot that they should support the tax becuase it won't erally effent them. kind of liek the way local governments try to fund football stadiums by telling locals that it will be paid for by hotel taxes and car rental taxes that only tourists will pay.
Only it never quite works out that way.
They will put in place some "progressive" system where you pay only a small tax on the first 500 miles of driving each month, and then a higher tax for the nest 500 miles, and them a big tax for anything over that. This will get the support of lots of people in urban areas because they think it won't cost them much.
But then, like a warped income tax scheme, the brackets will start to creep down (450 miles, then 400 miles, etc. ) or the tax rate in each bracket will start to creep up, or both.
I say don't let them get their foot in the door.
If and when the day comes that we have good, reliable all electric cars that run on rechargeable batteries, then the gas tax will produce negligible revenue. At that point, roads should be built and maintained out of general revenue.
They should not be funded from replacement schemes that have nothing to do with controlling pollution and everything to do with controlling our lives.
Look at the abuse that is occurring RIGHT NOW with the government snooping on our private information (taxes, medical records). Do you really trust them not to abuse your location information?
More Big Brother horseshit designed to raise taxes
