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May 06, 2011
Obama Floats Draft Plan To Tax Cars By The Mile ~ How's That Hope and Change Working For YOU Obama Voters!
Obama floats draft plan to tax cars by the mile
The Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.
The plan is a part of the administration's "Transportation Opportunities Act," an undated draft of which was obtained this week by Transportation Weekly.
This follows a March Congressional Budget Office report that supported the idea of taxing drivers based on miles driven.
Among other things, CBO suggested that a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax could be tracked by installing electronic equipment on each car to determine how many miles were driven; payment could take place electronically at filling stations.
The CBO report was requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), who has proposed taxing cars by the mile as a way to increase federal highway revenues.
Obama's proposal seems to follow up on that idea in section 2218 of the draft bill. That section would create, within the Federal Highway Administration, a Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Office. It would be tasked with creating a "study framework that defines the functionality of a mileage-based user fee system and other systems."
The administration seems to be aware of the need to prepare the public for what would likely be a controversial change to the way highway funds are collected. For example, the office is called on to serve a public relations function, as the draft says it should "increase public awareness regarding the need for an alternative funding source for surface transportation programs and provide information on possible approaches."
The draft bill says the "study framework" for the project and a public awareness communications plan should be established within two years of creating the office, and that field tests should begin within four years.
The office would be required to consider four factors in field trials: the capability of states to enforce payment, the reliability of technology, administrative costs, and "user acceptance." The draft does not specify where field trials should begin.
The new office would be funded a total of $200 million through FY 2017 for the project.
Wild Thing's comment.......
We already do get taxed based on how many miles we drive — it’s called the per gallon gas tax — but obviously that’s just not enough.
Wow, another beautiful day in paradise. These freaks must lay awake nights dreaming up new and interesting ways to torment the portion of Americans who pay the damn bills.
Go for it Obama. I hope Obama makes this the centerpiece of his re-election campaign. That should seal his political coffin.
obama will have this country in total poverty before 2012.
a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.
In the real world I'd say this would NEVER happen, but this is the world of Obama and nothing surprises me anymore.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 6, 2011 03:55 AM
Comments
As far as I know, there is at least a buck gas tax is Federal, then the oil companies are taxed out the wazu, that is added in, taxes on where they are actually drilling, everything involved with the production of Gasoline is a tax. How much more tax can we afford. Before we wake up and realize our Freedoms have been shoved aside in favor big government.
To me freedom is the ability to go anywhere I want to when I want, this means going to work will cost the worker more just to earn a living, in fact, it will cost you more to go to work, meaning earning less for your time spent. Another freebie for the government, that we have to pay for. Means more money wasted on obama's failed "Energy Policy" which will destroy the country and has us headed in that direction ...NOW.
Posted by: Mark at May 6, 2011 07:22 AM
The truth, as always, lies in the details, which takes very little scratching:
Gasoline taxes (combined local, state and federal) at the pump average 50 cents per gallon, from a low of 26 cents per gallon in Alaska to a high of of 66 cents per gallon in California. Floridians pay 53 cents a gallon in taxes for every gallon of gasoline.
Exxon, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Marathon, all make less than a dime in profit for every gallon of gasoline sold at the pump retail.
This is the stark reality. Yet every quarter, “so many billions in profits” is only what's reported by the media as they and this current administration in Washington continue to demonize oil and gas providers, miners, their essential risk taking and investments, and the millions they employ. Their line is so old, so worn out.
A public sector that is philosophically opposed to and seeks to further limit the use of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal mining) is a greater supply/demand problem towards rising energy costs and what really fuels an expanding economy than the private sector that provides for everything.
There’s not much likelihood of this newly devised tax per mile being proposed in an election year.
It is however so clearly demonstrative of how this administration thinks, how it is made up of collectivist central planners so highly intrusive in our own individual lives seeking full dominion over us in their pursuit of a life by government ration for all Americans. The left cannot be allowed to govern because the left is incapable of governing. Their's is not a road to prosperity, peace and plenty, but a road to scarcity, depravity, misery, and ruin.
I came across this good read by David Limbaugh, “Obama's Scandalous War Against Domestic Oil”, on this very subject just today at The Patriot Post:
http://patriotpost.us/opinion/david-limbaugh/2011/05/06/obamas-scandalous-war-against-domestic-oil/
Posted by: Carlos at May 6, 2011 08:52 AM
All I can tell this rogue administration is that if you ever try putting any type of electronic tracking device on my car, you had better have made your final arrangements. And I didn't have an independent study group to come up with my decision either. Beware o'vomit, you're fucking with REAL Americans out here and not your commie muzlum pals.
Posted by: Eddie (Enemy of the State) at May 6, 2011 09:34 AM
The American taxpayer is the goose that lays golden eggs for the economy and makes that economy boom. The government takes x% of that economy's earnings via taxes. The more the govt. takes the less the boom. Presently only about half the population pay taxes. The tax paying half are the golden goose. obama and the Dems and Rinos are doing their best to mortally wound that golden egg laying goose.
The only good I see in this tax is that it is a consumption tax. Therefore the half of the population that pays no income tax will also have to pay this miles driven tax. I used to be a flat tax advocate, but because so many Americans pay no income tax I am trending toward a national consumption tax to replace the income tax.
Posted by: TomR, armed in Texas at May 6, 2011 09:43 AM
The invasion of privacy with this proposal is astronomical. They'll use satellite GPS tracking to determine how far your car is driven. The government will be able to monitor everyplace you drive to, how long it takes you to get there, and how long you're there. Once your vehicle moves, your government will be able to track your every move.
Posted by: BobF at May 6, 2011 10:06 AM
BobF they will determine WHERE the car is driven.
Mark the country is not turning flat. It has been turned down since they got rid of Gingrich in the last two years of the Clinton administration. Bush slowed it from a fall but could not take the time needed to repair the damage in the middle of the war and then Pelosi was elected. It has been down hill ever since. Everybody thoutht that the Democrats were doing this just to wreck the Bush administration and that they would stop after winning. They have not.
Posted by: Avitar at May 6, 2011 02:27 PM
You are all my heroes. Thank you for your input.
Carlos, thanks for the link.
Eddie count me in on that.
I cannot thank you all enough for all you do.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 6, 2011 11:26 PM
