Obama's Transportation Secretary Eyes Mileage Tax for American Motorists

AP via CNS NEWS.com ^ | Friday, February 20, 2009 | By Joan Lowy, Associated Press

[Cindy]

Washington (AP) - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he wants to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn -- an idea that has angered drivers in some states where it has been proposed.

Gasoline taxes that for nearly half a century have paid for the federal share of highway and bridge construction can no longer be counted on to raise enough money to keep the nation's transportation system moving, LaHood said in an interview with The Associated Press.

[chainsaw]

“panel suggested in December the state start charging motorists a quarter-cent for every mile as a substitute for the gas tax”

You can bet your mother-in-law’s underwear that the tax per gallon will/would not be eliminated.

[Fireone]

“What a great way to end Hussein’s reign in four years”

What a great way to end Hussein’s reign in less than two years.

[Erik Latranyi]

First, it is surprisingly easy to block the GPS signal from reaching your car......... :)

Second, a Republican from Illinois is merely a Democrat that ran under the other party’s name.

Lastly, this tax will be IN ADDITION to the gasoline tax which would then be considered a carbon tax rather than a highway tax. Anyone who believes the anti-oil Obama Administration will allow the price of gasoline to fall is drinking cool aid.

[tiredoflaundry]

This will put Pizza delivery men out of work.

Seriously, Big brother is a busy man.

[bikerman]

Time to break out the KY jelly here it comes. Lock and load.

[bikerman]

A blast from a tazar near the GPS should knock it out of commission.

[Syntyr]

Ahhh yes. We all “know” that it wont “replace” anything. It will be just another tax Also now that they have the GPS in your car they will know where and when you drive. It wont be long before we see increased taxes for driving into the city and more taxes if you drive during rush hour and and and. The possibilities are endless.

Feet meet slippery slope...

[rigelkentaurus]

When will enough people wake up and realize we have to separate ourselves from these marxists. Resistance to their plans if futile and will only drag us to the bottom with them.

The only thing for us to do is cut the cancer out and let us get back to being America.

[stockpirate]

insanity ping

[Mouton]

I think I see a nexus between this and getting the lawfully owned guns out of the hands of the populace.

[stockpirate]

Considering that Steele, the head of the RNC is anti-gun rights and said not one word opposing the porkulius bill we’re screwed.

Extreme violent use of our second amendment rights is all that stands between them and our liberty.

The problem isn’t they don’t know when to stop. It’s that we don’t know when to stop them.

We are rushing headlong towards the abyass.

[mr_hammer]

Two words for them...screw you!

[LibLieSlayer]

These people want revolt... and if they keep pushing... MAIN STREET will riot!

LLS

[Thebaddog]

And there would never be a tax meter in a gumint vehicle. Obama and the liberals don’t pay taxes and they like it that way.

[Mouton]

No one knows when one will decide to draw the line in the sand. I wonder when we are going to have a Tiananmen Square incident here and if we do, whether it will be reported. I just get this feeling the time is close at hand. I also wonder if many will rally around that “one” or just turn the dial.

Vince

[17th Miss Regt]

Among the reasons for the gap is a switch to more fuel-efficient cars and a decrease in driving that many transportation experts believe is related to the economic downturn. Electric cars and alternative-fuel vehicles that don't use gasoline are expected to start penetrating the market in greater numbers.

Obviously, the solution is to move away from all these fuel-efficient cars, electric cars and alternative-fuel vehicles and switch to Hummers. Green weenies, your programs are having unintended consequences!

On the other hand, look at the proposed intrusion of government into our cars. Maybe that is the intention from the get go!

[RU88]

If they keep this up they’ll be tarred and feathered within their first year!

[Max in Utah]

The average car travels about 15,000 miles a year I believe. A quarter-cent per mile is only $37.50 a year.

But what would be the cost to implement such a system? Greater than a thousand dollars per vehicle I would imagine. And who would pay? Ultimately the consumer, in the form of higher taxes and higher vehicle cost in addition to the new mileage tax.

Malice or stupidity? Or both?

[jersey117]

If the Republicans hold their ground against Obama, we’ll take back the house and senate in 2010 for sure.

[RatsDawg]

Who is the other Republican, didn’t Gregg step down?