Baby You Can Track My Car
Really, I for one have complete faith in the government that any device they place on my car to track the number of miles I drive for taxing purposes will be strictly used for that and nothing else
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to bureaucrats, are at the center of a controversial attempt in Washington and state planning offices to overhaul the outdated system for funding America’s major roads.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.
How could anyone possibly think the government might abuse or misuse this data?
I am sure that if this new taxing scheme goes through than of course they will eliminate all the gasoline taxes, right?
Makes Ya Barf, Media, Morality, Nanny State, Politics | Mr. Bingley | 
October 28, 2013 6:48 am
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It’s hard to imagine libertarians supporting this. It sounds more like someone is claiming libertarians support it because it makes the idea sound better.
There’s no way gas taxes would be cut under such a scheme. Their priority is to increase revenue to the government, not fairly assess operating costs on road users. This became obvious when fuel efficiency in vehicles began rising, and tax revenue went down accordingly. And more so, when hybrid cars hit the road, and some states started assessing an annual user fee for them…..to make up for the “lost” revenue.
Simply spending gas tax revenue on the road infrastructure, instead of on support services (e.g., law enforcement) would help the “planners” a lot. Then there are the inherent efficiencies and practices in maintaining the transportation network. Here in Washington State, contractors have to pay sales tax on all materials purchased for state contracts. This obvious stunt to keep money in government coffers (for non-road budget items) only raises the price of all contracts, and makes it harder to maintain things.
Nope, their preferred option is to stick their hands deeper into our wallets.
And that’s ignoring the “Big Brother” side of this proposal. A genuine lose-lose. For us.
That sure was my thought as well, Skyler.
A shorter JeffS:
“I am sure that if this new taxing scheme goes through than of course they will eliminate all the gasoline taxes, right?”
Yeah, right…
Oh, and I’ll agree with Skyler, too; even if I’m a “small l” libertarian, the mere thought makes me wince.
The big L liner
ooops – The big L line really may differ – they are a bit too much on the optimistic side.
Capital L libertarians aren’t optimistic, Kathy, they’re navel gazing, naive urchins.
And you’re spot on with your Cliff notes of me! 🙂