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A black box in your car? Some see a source of tax revenue
http://www.latimes.com ^ | October 26, 2013 | Evan Halper

Posted on 10/28/2013 4:35:36 AM PDT by kimtom

WASHINGTON — As America's road planners struggle to find the cash to mend a crumbling highway system, many are beginning to see a solution in a little black box that fits neatly by the dashboard of your car.

The devices, which track every mile a motorist drives and transmit that information to bureaucrats, are at the center of a controversial attempt in Washington and state planning offices to overhaul the outdated system for funding America's major roads.

The usually dull arena of highway planning has suddenly spawned intense debate and colorful alliances. Libertarians have joined environmental groups in lobbying to allow government to use the little boxes to keep track of the miles you drive, and possibly where you drive them — then use the information to draw up a tax bill.........

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: blackbox; government; taxes
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NEXT UP tax the air we breathe (and exhale)I.e. carbon tax!!
1 posted on 10/28/2013 4:35:36 AM PDT by kimtom
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To: kimtom

The real reasons for this are twofold:

1. To satisfy the enviro-Marxists who want us all on trains.
2. To track where we are at all times.

Anyone who cares about freedom (and/or commutes to work) had better be on top of this one.


2 posted on 10/28/2013 4:44:23 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)
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To: kimtom

’ As America’s road planners struggle to find the cash to mend a crumbling highway system, many are beginning to see a solution in a little black box that fits neatly by the dashboard of your car. ‘

Thats b/c theyve been squandering the $ on welfare programs that are notoriously corrupt. Rather than continuing to tax us why not correct the known problems. This would certainly net the necessary funds + some. Frankly, this smacks more of control than taxes. Its just surveillance by other the covering of taxes...or perhaps a twofer.


3 posted on 10/28/2013 4:47:19 AM PDT by 556x45
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To: kimtom

Libertarians are joining up with the enviro-whackos in SUPPORT of this? So much for their small-government, pro-freedom platform.


4 posted on 10/28/2013 4:50:57 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)
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To: kimtom
Libertarians have joined environmental groups in lobbying to allow government...

Really?

5 posted on 10/28/2013 4:52:27 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: kimtom

If only “some” see it as a source of tax revenue, how do the others see it?

As a mere driver habit tracking device? Who could object to the government doing that? sarc


6 posted on 10/28/2013 4:53:06 AM PDT by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: Doogle
Libertarians have joined environmental groups in lobbying to allow government...

name em

7 posted on 10/28/2013 4:54:10 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: Doogle

I guess they figure it enhances your liberty to give up driving to avoid paying road taxes


8 posted on 10/28/2013 4:54:27 AM PDT by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: ScottinVA

The actual reason is that cars are getting more fuel efficient and some operate on non-traditional fuels like CNG or coal (electric) that are not taxed for roads.


9 posted on 10/28/2013 4:55:14 AM PDT by logic101.net (How many more children must die on the altar of "gun free zones"?)
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To: Doogle

any libertarians out there want to comment???


10 posted on 10/28/2013 4:55:18 AM PDT by kimtom (USA ; Freedom is not Free)
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To: kimtom

Unless you are driving a vehicle made before about 1990, the black box is already there.


11 posted on 10/28/2013 4:57:07 AM PDT by WayneS (No problem is so great that it can't be made worse by having it attract Barack Obama's attention.)
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To: ScottinVA

Anyone who cares about freedom (and/or commutes to work) had better be on top of this one.

Don't worry John Roberts will strike this down....Oh wait..............

12 posted on 10/28/2013 5:02:46 AM PDT by Hyman Roth
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To: kimtom

I wish the reporter had named names.

I suppose some might find the concept of attractive from the standpoint-point of fairness in charging road/transportation taxes, but it would take one incredibly naïve and short-sighted libertarian to support the mandatory use of a device which could so easily abused by the government.


13 posted on 10/28/2013 5:04:52 AM PDT by WayneS (No problem is so great that it can't be made worse by having it attract Barack Obama's attention.)
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To: WayneS

OR, after a couple more sips of coffee:

I wish the reporter had named names.

I suppose some might find the concept attractive from the standpoint-point of fairness in charging road/transportation taxes, but it would take one incredibly naïve and short-sighted libertarian to support the mandatory use of a device which could so easily be abused by the government.


14 posted on 10/28/2013 5:06:28 AM PDT by WayneS (No problem is so great that it can't be made worse by having it attract Barack Obama's attention.)
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To: kimtom

Every thing to the State,everything through the State,everything from the State,everything for the State! The State shall guide correct thinking and behavior.The State shall be guided by the People’s Democratic Socialist Party so as to ensure only the best and brightest are in command and control to aid in education and direction of the masses.


15 posted on 10/28/2013 5:06:34 AM PDT by bonehead4freedom
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To: kimtom

It’s also a good way to keep track of your comings and goings.


16 posted on 10/28/2013 5:06:44 AM PDT by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults)
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To: kimtom

Does this mean that they will be getting rid of the gasoline tax? When pigs fly.


17 posted on 10/28/2013 5:11:47 AM PDT by Daveinyork (IER)
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To: kimtom

This will never happen. the gasoline tax is hidden. This one will require a check, and everyone will know exactly how much they pay. Our rulers can never permit this.


18 posted on 10/28/2013 5:13:29 AM PDT by Daveinyork (IER)
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To: kimtom

Sounds like a miller bill to me.


19 posted on 10/28/2013 5:18:29 AM PDT by ThePatriotsFlag ( The Republican Party has become the White Flag Party-shamefully surrendering daily to Socialism)
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To: kimtom
*Sigh*......just do what Connecticut just did and issue $600 million of general obligation bonds for infrastructure repairs.

Most of that will go to line the pockets of friends and relatives of politicians in the construction industry.


20 posted on 10/28/2013 5:22:18 AM PDT by Daffynition (*$17,000,000,000,000* Fear the beards! GO SOX!)
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