Hey folks,
You REALLY can't make this up. Sounds like a 1984 type Movie. Sounds like some type of Government controlled Society, where they know where you are at all times, and what you are doing. Only problem is, this time, it's REALITY. In Oregon at least. Get this.The Bismarck Tribune- Oregon looks at taxing mileage instead of gasoline By RYAN KOST Associated Press Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon is among a growing number of states exploring ways to tax drivers based on the number of miles they drive instead of how much gas they use, even going so far as to install GPS monitoring devices in 300 vehicles. The idea first emerged nearly 10 years ago as Oregon lawmakers worried that fuel-efficient cars such as gas-electric hybrids could pose a threat to road upkeep, which is paid for largely with gasoline taxes.
They will get their money one way or another. The sad thing is that some will go right along with it because it is "for their own good."
"I'm glad we're taking a look at it before the potholes get so big that we can't even get out of them," said Leroy Younglove, a Portland driver who participated in a recent pilot program.
The proposal is not without critics, including drivers who are concerned about privacy and others who fear the tax could eliminate the financial incentive for buying efficient vehicles.
So reasonable people and the Kooks both have a problem with it. EVERYONE should have a problem with it. Not just those with the ability to think for themselves and actually apply reason and Logic, and those that are in the same camp as those that WANT $4.00 a gallon. But EVERYONE.
But Oregon is ahead of the nation in exploring the concept, even though it will probably be years before any mileage tax is adopted.
Don't count on that.
Congress is talking about it, too. A congressional commission has envisioned a system similar to the prototype Oregon tested in 2006-2007.
The National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing is considering calling for higher gas taxes to keep highways, bridges and transit programs in good shape.
Bunk.
But over the long term, commission members say, the nation should consider taxing mileage rather than gasoline as drivers use more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.
As cars burn less fuel, "the gas tax isn't going to fill the bill," said Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
IDIOT. Translation, "WE WILL GET YOUR MONEY NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO."
The next Congress "could begin to set the stage, perhaps looking at some much more robust pilot programs, to begin the research, to work with manufacturers."
Gov. Ted Kulongoski has included development money for the tax in his budget proposal, and interest is growing in a number of other states.
Governors in Idaho and Rhode Island have considered systems that would require drivers to report their mileage when they register vehicles.
In North Carolina last month, a panel suggested charging motorists a quarter-cent for every mile as a substitute for the gas tax.
James Whitty, the Oregon Department of Transportation employee in charge of the state's effort, said he's also heard talk of mileage tax proposals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado and Minnesota.
"There is kind of a coalition that's naturally forming around this," he said.
Yup. It's called Big Brother.
Also fueling the search for alternatives is the political difficulty of raising gasoline taxes.
The federal gas tax has not been raised since 1993, and nearly two dozen states have not changed their taxes since 1997, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
In Oregon's pilot program, officials equipped 300 vehicles with GPS transponders that worked wirelessly with service station pumps, allowing drivers to pay their mileage tax just as they do their gas tax.
Whitty said the test, which involved two gas stations in the Portland area, proved the idea could work.
Though the GPS devices did not track the cars' locations in great detail, they could determine when a driver had left certain zones, such as the state of Oregon. They also kept track of the time the driving was done, so a premium could be charged for rush-hour mileage.
More Bunk. GPS can and WILL tell the Government EXACTLY where you are. Hell, we have satellites that can zoom in and read your license plates. See what you are doing in your back yards. You do not think that GPS TRACKING systems will tell them where you are and what you are doing?
The proposal envisions a gradual change, with manufacturers installing the technology in new vehicles because retrofitting old cars would be too expensive. Owners of older vehicles would continue to pay gasoline taxes.
The difference in tax based on mileage or on gasoline would be small - "pennies per transaction at the pump," Whitty said.
But the mileage tax still faces several major obstacles.
For one, Oregon accounts for only a small part of auto sales, so the state can't go it alone. A multistate or national system would be needed.
It will be National. It will also be a way to add one MORE tax to those that drive TOO MUCH, in the name of saving the Planet. Fighting Global Warming. Uh, I mean "Climate change." {Sigh}
Another concern is that such devices could threaten privacy. Whitty said he and his task force have assured people that the program does not track detailed movement and that driving history is not stored and cannot be accessed by law enforcement agencies.
"I think most people will come to realize there is really no tracking issue and will continue to buy new cars," Whitty said, noting that many cell phones now come equipped with GPS, which has not deterred customers.
The Customers have to turn them on. You Idiot. The Government is not telling them that they are being tracked at all times. As for your little assurance that this will not Track people and that it will not store history and cannot be accessed by law enforcement agencies? Well, I guess we can all be more comfortable about it then. I mean, you promised right? The Government would NEVER lie to the people. You guys are much smarter than us, so we will trust you and just go with it.
Enter the Kooks
Others are worried that a mileage tax would undermine years of incentives to switch toward more fuel-efficient vehicles.
"It doesn't seem fair," said Paul Niedergang of Portland, that a hybrid would be taxed as much as his Dodge pickup. "I just think the gas tax needs to be updated."
Lynda Williams, also of Portland, was not immediately sold on the idea but said it was worth consideration.
"We all have to be open-minded," she said. "Our current system just isn't working."
{Sigh} Power companies in California coming into your house to control your Thermostat, controlled by Government. Now Government coming into your cars to see how much you drive? What is next? Once we lay down and allow them to start, they will continue until they control EVERY aspect of our lives. As long as you are good little citizens and just go along with it, do what you are told, all will be fine.
Trust them. It's for the collective good. For YOUR own good.
Peter
Sources:
The Bismarck Tribune- Oregon looks at taxing mileage instead of gasoline
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