Gasoline taxes

[Sludgy]

For those of us who think governments want us to drive fuel economy cars, consider what Oregon is doing to replace the lost fuel taxes caused by hybrids:

http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060325-031322-1742r

Govenrments have always LOVED to have us drive fuel pigs.

[SVOboy]

Aren't they just saying it's not effective to tax that way? It seems more appropriate and less like what you're saying with "encouraging" fuel consumption if they don't tax us by it.

Anyway, is it really fair for me to drive my ev 1000 miles a day and not pay for the roads I'm on?

[rh77]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Anyway, is it really fair for me to drive my ev 1000 miles a day and not pay for the roads I'm on?

Absoultely. We're taxed for stuff we don't personally use all the time: School Districts if you don't have kids, welfare for the underpriveledged, "Defense". Tax something else instead of the responsible user. That crock of a law would never be legal anyway -- it tracks your every move. Raise the taxes on gas if it's such a big deal, and make some sort of concession for commercial vehicles. Granted trucks tear up the roads more, but they're vital to the economy, and many are owner/operators, which fuel taxes hurt. It was probably introduced by some beurocrat who had dinner and a round of golf with Exxon/Mobil (on the house).

RH77

[SVOboy]

I don't understand your argument. So, we shouldn't help out others or just plain we shouldn't replace what we destroy?

[Matt Timion]

I say the solution is to privatize the freeways. The roads in California are horrible because the state government has mis-used the transportation budgets on other pet projects. The recently tried to raise taxes to pay for the roads, all because they couldn't use the money allocated for the roads. It's realy silly.

Make every road a toll road, or have a "fast past" type of system. If don't use the freeway/interstate, why should I pay for it? City roads should be paid for with city taxes, or property taxes.

[Sludgy]

If the government simply raises the gas tax in steps to finance highways, that would be the best way. Higher gas taxes would increase demand for fuel efficient cars, and governments would make the gas tax rates even higher in an upward spiral.

This spiral would be a good thing, ultimately getting us weaned off Arab oil.

[rh77]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I don't understand your argument. So, we shouldn't help out others or just plain we shouldn't replace what we destroy?

I apologize; my post was a bit convoluted. My point is that most taxes don't come from the source of use, like the examples that I mentioned. The glaring exception is the use of roads/bridges/highways, etc. The user is taxed at the pump, and in some cases, at the toll booth. I think Oregon can make up for it by taxing something else and increase the overall pot. Many states have "personal property taxes" based on the value of your vehicle. The philosophy: if you can afford a new Mercedes S55 AMG, you can pay extra to license it.

I don't think that the "average Joe" should shoulder the burden of taxes, which is getting into politics, and this may not be the best forum for that. Gas taxes and road tolls hit the poorest drivers the hardest, and the richest: just some extra time and darnit, they may have to break a "100". The truck driver (owner/operator) example may have been a stretch -- but with rising fuel costs that benefit our cause to increase gas mileage, it seriously cuts into the budget of those whose professions rely on fuel prices. Even Southwest Airlines is finally taking a hit because of the fuel prices (they hedged their losses by buying a bulk supply of future fuel 2 years ago - now the contract is up, and the renewed fuel price is considerably higher).

RH77
"Ding. You are now free to drive about the Country"

[SVOboy]

Mercedes S500 AMG

It would be an S55 AMG, just to be technical. Mehbe I'll whine about this post later, but I will not do it in this mood cuz I'm tempted to be mean for the sake of it.

[rh77]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

It would be an S55 AMG, just to be technical. Mehbe I'll whine about this post later, but I will not do it in this mood cuz I'm tempted to be mean for the sake of it.

Yeah, I started typing S500 (because I saw one today in the hospital parking lot) and I tacked on AMG as an afterthought -- yes it's an S55.

But anyways, when you're feeling better, feel free to let me have it :-)

RH77

I cheated and fixed the AMG thing. Thanks "Edit"! Bwahahah!

[SVOboy]

I know a guy with an s55. Too many s500s running around, not enough 55s, 600s, and 65s, if you ask me. I think they make an s65, no 100% though.