Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 08/10/2007 11:16:17 AM PDT by SE Mom
Whoa now. Let’s hold our horses a minute and think about the calls for new tax increases to fix for our infrastructure problems. The Minneapolis bridge collapse is a tragedy, but we can’t let it be used to compound other problems – which is what will happen if we’re scared into raising gas taxes.
As we all know, there are few things more permanent than a temporary tax. Just ask the folks who footed the cost of the Spanish-American War for the past 108 years via a federal excise tax on our phone bills. Congress is contemplating a new “temporary” 5-cent increase in the federal gas tax –(already at18.3 cents a gallon), which is on top of the state and local gas taxes that have been in place over the years – to finance a “trust fund” for infrastructure repairs.
The cause of our infrastructure troubles is not a lack of money; but the politics and bureaucracy that have built up around the funding process. Now, the people who have done their best to micromanage local infrastructure spending from their Washington D.C. offices are exploiting tragedy to further federalize our transportation system.
Why don’t we let states determine which infrastructure problems are their priority? Are bridge repairs a priority in Arizona? Alaska? Hawaii? Maybe, but let’s let the people decide what needs fixing, when, and how they want to pay for it—taxes, bonds, or tolls, for example.
(Excerpt) Read more at fredfile.imwithfred.com ...
All the while this bridge was falling apart, Minneapolis was spending Hundreds of Millions of dollars on a light rail system to nowhere.
We need to reclassify light rail systems as public works of art. They serve an aesthetic purpose, but nobody ever rides them. Maybe if we called them artworks up front, we could make them pretty, at least.
On another thread someone suggested that instead of the increase in the federal gas tax, we should consider lowering the federal gas tax, and imposing a tax on imported oil. This would encourage the budding biofuels industry. It would perhaps be desireable to dedicate a portion to such a tax to developing alternate energy. Congress and the President have already approved more than $300 million for six experimental biofuels operations using around 10 different feedstocks ranging from orange peals to wood chips to switchgrass.
I might agree with you on a sarcastic level, but I believe government has no business in the business of art either.........
We have reciprocal trade agreements that prevent placing a tax on foreign oil in order to protect domestic industries.
Trust me, it’s better that way. We do not want to go down that particular road.
I’m not saying that the Feds are the answer, but the locals certainly are not.
Just ask the people in New Orleans where the local power brokers and the Army Corp of Engineers contrived the fiasco which still is far from being even slightly fixed either at the infrastructure end or the human end.
He could mention, too, that federal taxes on gas are Constitutionally prohibited form of double taxation. Because our very income is taxed before we ever get it, every other federal tax or fee we pay with that taxed money is a second tax.
If the Supremes were living up to their oaths of office, every such tax would be struck down as unconstitutional.
....and give alGore the keys.........
Septugent tablets on SCOTUS bldg excluded.
barbra ann
Of course that’s not simply art, that a direct gift from God...
Several good items here, but I especially liked what he said about the phone tax and the Spanish American War. How temporary is that?
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
“Thanks and Bookmark for later”
That should be: “Thanks and earmark for later.”:)
He said "where the rubber hits the road" - hehehehe...
The only problem I have with this is that here in Washington State it will still translate into yet another horrendous increase in the gas tax ‘cause that’s all these damned democrats know.
I certainly agree with Mr. Thompson on this issue. Although, major roadways are one of the few things that the federal government does that can be justified constitutionally, and on national security grounds.
However, much of it can and should be done as locally as possible, for purely practical reasons, some of which he described here.
I await his views on the myriad of current federal government functions that are quite obviously nowhere to be found in the Enumerated Powers, and concerning the God-given, unalienable rights to life and liberty that have nothing to do with “states’ rights” or his version of “federalism.”
If the Supremes were living up to their oaths of office, every such tax would be struck down as unconstitutional.
Or the income tax, thus making those other taxes legal.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2006-05-25-phone-tax_x.htm
>Just ask the folks who footed the cost of the Spanish-American War for the past 108 years via a federal excise tax on our phone bills.
The exception proves the rule and that one took over 107 years and untold $$s. According to this link the long distance excise tax is gone. It appears possible to apply for a refund back to 2003 at least on the 2006 returns.
BTW Fred’s still right even if he got this part wrong.
Saying all roads should be local projects doesn’t work. Rural areas between cities would have no reason - and for that matter, no means - to support large highways which are almost exclusively used by non-residents passing through.
The only road that will exist there at all without federal intervention is a toll road supplemented by speed traps - not that we don’t have plenty of those already even with federal intervention, but no one who has experienced one is clamoring for more like them.
The fix is obvious. End earmarks by elected officials and have money allocated by qualified civil service employees with no donors, no lobbyists, and no regional ties. This would diminish Congress’s ability to give our money to their friends, and just as obviously will never be done.
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