The Mileage Tax?

Boca Raton,

Mar 18, 2009 @ 00:21:49

Has anyone given any serious thought to the mileage tax proposal?
Would it truly generate extra dollars for the Fed and or local and state governments? I think not and here's why:
1. It would present a cost obstacle for people currently, and in the future, traveling about in search of employment.
2. It would present the same impediment to those individuals who might not have otherwise thought twice about visiting a distant or even local shopping mall, movie theater, county fair, business park, etc.
3. It would penalize individuals who reside in rural areas that mandate long trips for work and or shopping.
4. It represents a disincentive for the automotive industry as it pertains to the development of more fuel efficient vehicles. (why rush if people are being taxed for mileage rather than rewarded for fuel efficiency).
Now, the next issue is, who does such legislation really benefit?
1. The auto industry, for the reason mentioned in item four above.
2. The oil and gas industry for the same reasons as #1.
3. The new cottage industry that it will spawn for the purpose of monitoring your mileage.
4. GPS manufacturers.
5. So, IMO, the mileage tax represents a zero sum game for the government when it is compared to the gasoline tax, whether or not it is kept in conjunction with the mileage tax or not.
6. There is one area, however, where the government can generate income and that involves the sale of data. "What data?" you ask. Well, the data that they collect from your travels that would represent a potential profit windfall when they sell it to various and sundry business for marketing purposes.
Get the picture?
None of the above even touches on the very important issue of the privacy that would be violated by such devices tracking your every movement.

3

sAeGeSpAeNe

Part-time Nidologist

The other Bristol..., Connecti

#2

Mar 18, 2009 @ 00:27:04

Welcome to the Obama-concept of the New Deal!

0

rider

Deleted

The first one, Australia

#3

Mar 18, 2009 @ 00:55:52

Mmmmmmmm,what's next,Breathing Tax????you get taxed on the amount of air you inhale every day,only problem would be,How much of what we breath in is actually AIR???

0

sAeGeSpAeNe

Part-time Nidologist

The other Bristol..., Connecti

#4

Mar 18, 2009 @ 00:58:57

Don't forget the intent of the administration to construct a tax on Carbon-Footprints!

0

jonnythan

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#5

Mar 18, 2009 @ 01:00:18

We already pay a mileage tax. It's currently called gasoline tax.

0

rider

Deleted

The first one, Australia

#6

Mar 18, 2009 @ 01:05:23

@jonnythan Said

We already pay a mileage tax. It's currently called gasoline tax.

Good point jonnythan,very good point.

0

rider

Deleted

The first one, Australia

#7

Mar 18, 2009 @ 01:06:39

@Saegespaene Said

Don't forget the intent of the administration to construct a tax on Carbon-Footprints!

But I have Rubber soled shoes,not Carbon????

0

WASH

LINCOLN, California

#8

Mar 19, 2009 @ 17:20:30

@bishop666 Said

Has anyone given any serious thought to the mileage tax proposal?
Would it truly generate extra dollars for the Fed and or local and state governments? I think not and here's why:
1. It would present a cost obstacle for people currently, and in the future, traveling about in search of employment.
2. It would present the same impediment to those individuals who might not have otherwise thought twice about visiting a distant or even local shopping mall, movie theater, county fair, business park, etc.
3. It would penalize individuals who reside in rural areas that mandate long trips for work and or shopping.
4. It represents a disincentive for the automotive industry as it pertains to the development of more fuel efficient vehicles. (why rush if people are being taxed for mileage rather than rewarded for fuel efficiency).
Now, the next issue is, who does such legislation really benefit?
1. The auto industry, for the reason mentioned in item four above.
2. The oil and gas industry for the same reasons as #1.
3. The new cottage industry that it will spawn for the purpose of monitoring your mileage.
4. GPS manufacturers.
5. So, IMO, the mileage tax represents a zero sum game for the government when it is compared to the gasoline tax, whether or not it is kept in conjunction with the mileage tax or not.
6. There is one area, however, where the government can generate income and that involves the sale of data. "What data?" you ask. Well, the data that they collect from your travels that would represent a potential profit windfall when they sell it to various and sundry business for marketing purposes.
Get the picture?
None of the above even touches on the very important issue of the privacy that would be violated by such devices tracking your every movement.

I like your aproach to a problem. Solve it and then describe HOW

0

jonnythan

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#9

Mar 19, 2009 @ 17:45:43

There wouldn't have to be any privacy concerns.

All vehicles in any state that would consider this already have yearly or bi-yearly inspections. Just have the inspection include a mileage recording and charge the appropriate mileage fee.

0

bishop666

Boca Raton,

#10

Mar 20, 2009 @ 17:44:53

In Re privacy concerns, the proposal requires the use of GPS tracking devices to monitor one's travels and mileage incurred and therein lies the privacy issue.

0

bishop666

Boca Raton,

#11

Mar 20, 2009 @ 17:58:23

@WASH Said

I like your aproach to a problem. Solve it and then describe HOW

My background is scientific as well and as you indicated, the first step is to define the problematic elements. In this case, it appears to be the inane legislative proposal itself. In effect, we already have a mileage tax of sorts but the government chose to call it a fuel tax (the amount of fuel consumed is proportional to a combination of factors, not the least of which is mileage). Therefore, there is no logical need for a new tax, simply increase the fuel tax but since that may not be a politically acceptable approach during these trying economic times, I have a better suggestion, whose pain will be directed primarily towards our legislators in the form of a negative response from their voting constituents. Namely, cut out the ridiculous and self-serving pork! Move those earmarked funds into a new "infrastructure" fund and over time, it should achieve the desired economic effect.
Our esteemed leader seems to think that we need to do everything at once but I sincerely doubt that our, or any other government is capable of such extreme multitasking nor do we have the required concentration of expert gray matter available to accomplish the desired end.

0

crankshaft

Banned

,

#12

Mar 20, 2009 @ 18:42:17

This "change" brought to you by the tax-and-spendocrats.

0

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