Sushi Money

Update 2-27-09:   The National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission is recommending that the U.S. government taxes drivers by the mile!  This commission was created by Congress to explore options to raise money, and says the current 18.4 cents a gallon gas tax and 24.4 cents a gallon diesel tax are not raising enough money to keep pace with transportation costs…

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I didn’t think it would come to this, but a ground-swell of opposition is mounting for huge government programs and regulations.  If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have government looking over your shoulder at every turn- the next few years may show us what that could be like- literally.

How about a device in your car that monitors every mile you drive- anywhere- and taxes you on the amount of miles you drive every month?  Or in a year?  Is that incredible?   The new U.S. Transportation Secretary wants to tax you on the miles you drive in your car.  It won’t matter if you drive a high-mileage Honda, a big ‘ole cement truck or a motorcycle… you’ll still pay taxes on the miles you drive.   For someone who lives near their job, or in a metropolitan area that might not be a bad idea.  But what about millions across the nation who commute to work? Or millions more who live in rural America?  And what if your job depends upon driving many miles? 

Can you imagine anything that would provide more disincentives for economic growth and consumer spending across America?  They think people are not spending money now, if I knew I would be taxed at every turn for driving my car why would I drive to the small town down the road for ice cream?  What would happen to travel and tourism?   Too many negatives associated with that… and I have to wonder who in their right mind thinks of these things.   Personally it’s just not the American way.

I’d love to know what the U.S. Commerce Secretary thinks of this idea.   Travel and transportation serves as the basis for trillions worth of commerce in the United States…

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