[Dallas59]

So where is this "green" stuff taking us?....Might be criminal to use Solar power without a license before too soon...

[all the best]

When I was a kid we would often say "it's a free country". That was obviously a long, long time ago.

[Yo-Yo]

Do users of plug in electrics also have to pay a special motor fuels tax on their electricity?

I can see the state's point of view, the motor fuel tax is what pays for road maintenance. However, this was nothing but strong arm tactics to make an example out of this poor couple.

[Piquaboy]

We would not want our great guvmint to miss out on any taxes now, would we?

[Condor 63]

Sounds like BS to me.

And kudos to Frank Watson too.

[coydog]

There's a lesson here. If you're running your car on used cooking oil, shut up about it.

[Farmer Dean]

The new state motto should read"Let nothing of value go untaxed."

[CindyDawg]

Yesterday gas was up about 30 cents. I commented to my DIL that I guess we needed to start growing corn. She commented, "oh, I'm sure they would still find some way to make you pay" I actually laughed. Yikes.

[beltfed308]

Sounds like the guy was recycling. But I suppose you need a permit or need to pay taxes for that also. Is there a fuel tax for electric? After all some tpye of fuel is used to make the electricity. Sounds like a circle jerk.

[NonValueAdded]

Fight on, Wetzel, you have them on the run!

[mylife]

"I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help"

[edcoil]

If you use solar power, do you still have to purchase carbon credits from Al Gore's company?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Worthy of a Nanny State Ping?

[socialismisinsidious]

"A hand from Washington will be stretched out and placed upon every man's business; the eye of the federal inspector will be in every man's counting house....The law will of necessity have inquisical features, it will provide penalties, it will create complicated machinery. Under it men will be hauled into courts distant from their homes. Heavy fines imposed by distant and unfamiliar tribunals will constantly menace the tax payer. An army of federal inspectors, spies, and detectives will descend upon the state."

-- Virginian House Speaker Richard E. Byrd, 1910, predicting the consequences of an income tax.

[mrsmith]

"They told me I am required to have a license and am obligated to pay a motor fuel tax," David Wetzel recalled. "Mr. May also told me the tax would be retroactive."

The motor fuel taxes pay for the roads. Cars using vegetable oil fuel (or whatever) have to pay for the roads they drive on. How unfair lol!

The state should have a reasonable regulatory scheme for people who just acquire/produce alternative fuels for their own use however.

[goldstategop]

This couple wasn't even accused of tax evasion... just using fuel bureaucrats didn't like.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[flashbunny]

all money belongs to the state. We only get to keep it at its discretion.

[starbase]

Just the tax, mam.

[mnehring]

A retired research chemist and food plant manager, Wetzel produced records showing he has used 1,134.6 gallons of vegetable oil from 2002 to 2006. At the higher rate, the tax bill would come to $244.24.

Hell, I'll pay this for them to reward them for their innovation... I'm sure the government has paid far more in trying to collect this amount..

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Holy Schmoly! This does not bode well for those of us that want to eventually be "off the grid" as far as energy consumption goes.

Smacks of what the Nanny Staters have done to smokers. Run them down, run them underground as much as possible, while still reaping the benefits of tobacco product taxes. And then hunt them down and demand taxes for on-line cigarette purchases, etc.

Fat people are next. I see a tax on food in the future; first fast food, then convenience items, then lastly fresh fruits and veggies. Then those of us that grow our own food and/or have livestock will be forced to turn over our food to the state for distribution amongst the proletariat.

It's insanity!

[umgud]

If this is true, the agents and anybody who directed them or instigated this should have their kneecaps broken.