Taxing Drivers by the Mile?
By Christopher Lavoie, Hawaii Independent
Sometimes the lack of brain power found in Congressional types, federal OR state, just boggles the mind. I had heard about this "tax per mile" before, but thought it would quickly dissipate. Wishful thinking on my part.
Instead they plug forward. The Oregon State legislature had voted to waste precious funds for a feasibility study back in 2001, and even as of today can't seem to see the flaws in the package. California is also continuing to entertain such extreme measures. As for the rest of you, in case you're thinking how lucky you are to be elsewhere... beware! Coming soon, to a state near you...
For an older, more indepth view of the Oregon "task force" appointed for the study, see the archived Newsmax story from January 2003.
Not sure what I'm talking about? Let me 'splain... Both western, eco-dominated states have continually shoved a cost efficient, anti-combustion engine transport down their denizens' throats. Evidence of their inept foresight abilities was the fact it took them so long to equate less gas purchase = less gasolene tax at their disposal for spending.
Congressional panic to such a loss of revenue ensued, then turned desperate. Taxing vehicles per mile driven was their best bet. It not only added to their road budgets, but simultaneously punished American's driving SUVs. How perfect for them. They forgot all about rural America and commuters.
And how did they plan to accomplish this? GPS's in every car, and readers at gas stations that calculates miles added since your last fill up. The taxes are paid right then and there at the gas pump. There was even talk of higher rates during rush hours.
In addition to mandating a nanny-esque order, forcing everyone to install GPS tracking devices in cars - truly a nightmare for privacy advocates - they are also forcing small gas station business owners to shoulder the additional costs of the communication equipment necessary to tap into a car's odometer. Note: most gas stations are franchises, thus small business owners, privately owned and operated.
What is it with the Dems and their desires to drive businesses bankrupt while screaming "outsourcing" at the top of their lungs??
Most insidious is how these single celled, amoebic types being paid with my tax dollars can miss the most obvious. This will be the death of rural America.
I live in rural Oregon. Most rural residents commute to the state's few city centers, and work for nominal wages. In this county alone, putting 100 miles daily on a vehicle for an $11 per hr job isn't unusual.
Imagine the fiscal ramifications. Current homeowners will quickly figure out they can't afford to stay in the country, and will be forced to sell and move to the urban centers. But who will want to buy their homes and tax burdens? Certainly not someone in the same financial boat.
It certainly is logical to assume that only the wealthy or upper middle class will be able to afford a rural American status under such a tax structure.
In one way, it's a Dem's dream. Trapping all those who could most benefit from their desired welfare/socialist system in one urban center. Combine that with all out efforts to demolish the electoral college, and sweeping wins in the future could be in the cards for the "blues". Talk about redistricting. This breaks all the records for the largest stealth attempt to "redistrict" for electoral power by sheer numbers.
Yet perhaps the rich don't want to do that commute. That opens the other possibility - that rural areas become abandoned completely by all commuters. This means those who have local businesses have to depend upon each other solely for sales and revenue. It goes without saying that such an imbred financial structure holds little promise for success. Foreclosures will happen enmasse, and eventually all the population will be forced to migrate back to the city's hub.
With staggering new numbers, battling for urban housing close to their jobs, just imagine the potential for new heights of urban violence. Consider also that property values close to large employers will soar, and the lower scale employees will have to settle for housing further away, and bear the brunt of the higher taxes. Surely I can not be the only one who thinks of such things.
But this idea doesn't have to be implemented to have an effect on rural America. Even now the rural areas are starting to experience problems just from the mere suggestion of this lunacy. Those hoping to purchase in rural communities are now thinking twice with this possibility looming. Growth will stagnant, just because of the mere threat of a tax per mile structure.
The scenerios are endless. But I sure can't think of one GOOD reason to explore the tax per mile possibility. But I can think of a million good reasons for them to publicly announce how ridiculous the notion is, and abandon it so current and prospective rural Americans can breathe easier. And that is about as likely as expecting a NY Times retraction appearing on page one.
I'm doing more than holding my breath for this one. Already I'm climbing down the back of my county commissioner. This proposal crosses the red-blue boundaries, and pits urban against rural elected leadership. Here's hoping they are up to the task.
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