12 cent federal gas tax increase coming?

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

But as far as being honest about what works goes, the federal gas tax was how Washington funded all their highway spending, and I think that's a great idea: the spending is funded by a relevant tax. Back in 08 it fell short and Washington had to borrow money to keep it going. It's kept falling short and we keep borrowing money to keep it funded. We either need to spend less on maintaining our infrastructure, keep adding to the deficit to fund ongoing multiyear projects or adjust the tax that is dedicated to paying for those projects.

I think we should admit that we've had 21 years of inflation since the tax was set and adjust it. I'm trying not to oppress anyone with big government views or anything.

What are you trying to pull? Bring the thread back on topic? Sheesh!

I am for use-based taxation and would support increasing the gas tax...

if it were used to make improvements directly related to transportation that used that fuel.
Increasing the gas tax to pay for schools? Nope.
Increasing the gas tax to pay for defense? Nope.
Increasing the gas tax to pay for rail? Nope.
Roads, bridges, and to a lesser degree ferries, and buses. Yes.

[Frank Lee]

I'm for user-based taxation too thus schools should be funded by parents not property owners... bwahahahahaha!!!

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by darcane

What are you trying to pull? Bring the thread back on topic? Sheesh!

I am for use-based taxation and would support increasing the gas tax...

if it were used to make improvements directly related to transportation that used that fuel.
Increasing the gas tax to pay for schools? Nope.
Increasing the gas tax to pay for defense? Nope.
Increasing the gas tax to pay for rail? Nope.
Roads, bridges, and to a lesser degree ferries, and buses. Yes.

That all sounds good to me.
No amout of tax on anything is going to fix the air quality here.

[Fat Charlie]

The gas tax, at its current 1993 levels, doesn't cover highway spending. That's financed through debt. We'd need to tax gas like cigarettes to get leftover money to spend on schools and defense.

Rail is a different argument.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

The gas tax, at its current 1993 levels, doesn't cover highway spending. That's financed through debt. We'd need to tax gas like cigarettes to get leftover money to spend on schools and defense.

Rail is a different argument.

There is a tremendous amount of fat in the system, up north we can hardly build a road that lasts a year.

In europe most roads are insured and warrantied for 25years, I think that is the correct stance and it might encourage the use of appropriate road materials and construction for northern areas.

Remember the stone, asphalt and rubber tire roads? They did work and when combined with rubble don't significantly increase RR while not cracking.

Ah well.

[gone-ot]

Sadly, in the Gobberment context, "...lowest bidder..." equates as the reciprical of "...highest quality..."!

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I'm for user-based taxation too thus schools should be funded by parents not property owners... bwahahahahaha!!!

I used to believe that would be fair, but the fact is that we need children to finance our social security retirement.

People that raise children that are contributors to society actually do everyone a favor and improve their standard of living.

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

The gas tax, at its current 1993 levels, doesn't cover highway spending. That's financed through debt. We'd need to tax gas like cigarettes to get leftover money to spend on schools and defense.

Leftover money sounds amazing, like it was discovered falling off of a money tree.

The evidence suggests that we have spent too much money on schools and defense. Furthermore, the federal government has no authority to be responsible for education. The Dept of Education should not exist.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I used to believe that would be fair, but the fact is that we need children to finance our <s> social security </s> retirement.

People that raise children that are contributors to society actually do everyone a favor and improve their standard of living.

The evidence suggests that we have spent too much money on schools and defense. Furthermore, the federal government has no authority to be responsible for education. The Dept of Education should not exist.

Bullcrap. There is no human shortage by any stretch of the imagination so no, we shouldn't be paying people to reproduce.

Then there is the whole school funding mentality, where it is literally impossible to throw too much money at schools. Levies, levies, and more levies and it is never enough. 3/4 of the State's entire budget and it still isn't enough. State paid kindergarten and pre-school isn't enough- I suppose the State will eventually be teaching fetii in the wombs? You could give a school a Billion dollars and three years later they'd be back at the trough begging for more because, oh, their new heliport needs better lighting or their stadium needs an opening roof.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I used to believe that would be fair, but the fact is that we need children to finance our <s> social security </s> retirement.

People that raise children that are contributors to society actually do everyone a favor and improve their standard of living.

That just tells me Social Security is broken...

It's supposed to be a final safety net for a small percentage of old and disabled (as in actually unable to work... lots of fraud these days here.) rather than a pool of money for all to dip into.

As a parent with children in public schools, I don't think schools should be paid by property taxes. Throwing a nearly limitless pile of money at schools only encourages waste and grift and does nothing to improve their education.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I used to believe that would be fair, but the fact is that we need children to finance our <s> social security </s> retirement.

Speak for yourself. I'll be able to live in reasonable comfort even if I never get a dime from Social Security.

People that raise children that are contributors to society actually do everyone a favor and improve their standard of living.

Sure, but the sad fact is that there are a lot of people who raise children who aren't contributors to society, and who lower everyone's quality of life.