Tax Idea Far From A ‘Green’ Policy
By the News-RegisterPresident Barack Obama's administration is all about "green" initiatives, right? Wrong, as U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made clear last week.
Obama and his aides have said repeatedly that a critical change Americans need to make is to begin driving more fuel-efficient vehicles. One might think that the government's policy would be to do what it can to encourage such behavior.
But LaHood said last week that he wants to consider a change in federal taxes on vehicle fuel. Instead of charging taxes based on the number of gallons of fuel used, LaHood thinks it might be a good idea to tax Americans based on the number of miles they drive.
Several states are considering the same thing. Their officials, like LaHood, have noted that Americans are driving less, and using less fuel. In addition, some are buying more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. They use less fuel - and that means less revenue for states and the federal government from a per-gallon tax.
A miles-traveled tax would bring in more money, proponents say.
But it would act as a disincentive for drivers to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. Certainly, they would save some money on fuel - but not on taxes. In fact, under a miles-traveled tax, they could pay more than they do now.
There are other criticisms of a miles-traveled tax, some involving privacy rights. How would government monitor miles traveled? With GPS devices telling someone in Washington precisely where we go in our cars and trucks?
LaHood's comment is just another example of the hypocrisy that often seems to rule in Washington. Americans have a right to wonder just how "green" the Obama administration is.
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WVEXPAT
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02-24-09 4:57 PM
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RockE, Your word smithing continues to impress! "Reubenesque neocon females in large behemoth-like vehicles with trunkloads of jewels." Well done!
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wonderwhy
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02-24-09 3:39 PM
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rockE, don't leave out the sunglasses:)!
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Thoughtful
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02-23-09 11:57 PM
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This is a great plan for those in the Ohio Valley that must drive many miles to find employment.. Where does Wilson and Space stand on this issue????? Are they clones of Pelosi and Reid???????????? Let's hold them accountable?????????
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RockEReputation
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02-23-09 7:13 PM
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Aside from the fact that Obama denounced the idea of mileage tax shortly after Lahood mentioned it, a mileage tax making user-friendly allowances for lighter weight vehicles and costly additional charges for heavy trucks (and Reubenesque neocon females in large behemoth-like vehicles with trunkloads of jewels and gold dubllons) might win some smidgen of favor for Obama with malevolent editors.
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WVEXPAT
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02-23-09 6:42 PM
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Roads are currently built using gasoline taxes. As cars use less and less gasoline, roads will still have to be built and maintained. Good point Truth! But I'm sure we will be screwed w/ higher taxes either way. And while it's true semi's do the greatest amount of road damage an increase in their taxes will increase the price of almost every item we consume.
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Graysongs
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02-23-09 4:11 PM
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Government gets to set everything up on a Heads I win/Tails you lose basis. If you drive more, you pay more, but if you drive less, you pay more. You pays your money and you takes your chances. In this case, though, it's just you pays your money. Now be quiet.
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wonderwhy
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02-23-09 2:52 PM
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Big Brother Obama?????? hahahahha
illegal wiretapping from the bush administration? or look up cinergy, a co supported by the bush admin. give me a break
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wonderwhy
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02-23-09 2:51 PM
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conserv katy- did you know the aclu supplied joe the plumber with legal advice?
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TruthSeeker
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02-23-09 2:15 PM
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Katy, you watch too much tv. The trackers currently being used in testing cannot track you to an exact position according to the testors. If they can, I'm sure we'll hear about it. BTW - Did you know your cell has GPS or do you still use a tin can and a string?
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ConservativeKaty
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02-23-09 1:47 PM
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Surprises me to no end how liberals automatically bash an editorial they would agree with if they studied it. Take the phrase, "With GPS devices telling someone in Washington precisely where we go in our cars and trucks." Liberals love the ACLU, and believe you me the ACLU will have a field day with Obama's idea to trace our travels with GPS. Time to put the red light on Big Brother Obama -- no green flag for him, just the black flag that puts you out of the race for being dangerous.
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TruthSeeker
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02-23-09 11:26 AM
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BTW - You haven't the slightest idea what the definition of "green" is do you? Just sayin'...
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TruthSeeker
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02-23-09 11:24 AM
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What?! Is this the first time you've heard of this idea? Strangely, it's not the first time you've written about it BUT as usual you missed the****ned point of the issue. Even with "greener" vehicles, there will still need to be roads. Roads are currently built using gasoline taxes. As cars use less and less gasoline, roads will still have to be built and maintained. Where did you think the money was going to come from? You were for this idea not so long ago, Mikey. Surely you see how necessary getting tax dollars are for roads. Am I for the idea? H e l l NO! I don't like taxes either but how else will roads get built and maintained? The Road Fairy?
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