Of course there is a difference between (a) and (b), but YOU were the one who introduced "rich" into the discussion, and then drew the contrast with "bus riders". barfo
It's a proposal to study the feasibility of a particular tax mechanism, not a new tax. By the time it is implemented, if indeed it is implemented, perhaps we won't be in tough economic times. barfo
Yes, my faulty assumption was that you were trying to make some sort of an argument, rather than just posting random stuff. I'll try not to make that assumption about your posts again. barfo
Looking at the entire "economic picture" and ramifications of the "mile tax"; this won't effect only the individual. neighboring commuter cities will receive a HUGE exodus; which would create terrible housing values to drop. This would ripple to even cities close to the job locations. Car companies would take major hits in sales. Cities and states would immediately scramble and require federal funds to incorporate public transite for their citizens. Any way you look at this, it will completely destroy our economy. Something this radical would need years to implement. You can't just tax like this and expect no ramifications. People of Oregon, mainly portland for that matter, are blessed with a city that adheres to public transportation. LA would be a total clusterfuck. The same would apply to other cities, spread out like Dallas, Miami, Orlando, Houston, Phoenix and so on.
I think you are overreacting. The effect of this tax is no different than the effect of the gas tax, which has been in effect for decades. The only difference is that mileage tax will apply to electric cars, whereas the gas tax wouldn't. That's why governments are interested in moving from gas to mileage tax. barfo
I see it. But the discussion involved a tax on people who drive, and you mentioned it as a tax on the rich. Not really a leap in logic to say you were calling this a tax on the rich. You also say your experience is bus riders are lower income. And are curious whether they will be taxed as well. If not, and we somehow have your take on this wrong, feel free to actually explain your position on it being a rich tax, and asking about the bus. I'd be curious otherwise what your point was.
Actually this would be a tax on the middle class. The people that own their homes, just 30 miles from the major metropolitan area that they work. The very same people that make decent money, but not enough to buy a home in that area. Southern California has roughly 70% of their middle class that commutes more than 30 miles a day for work. A tax like this would hit them harder than the rich or poor, since the rich can afford to live in the big city and the poor can afford to live in the slums of the big city.
It's completely an overreaction. First of all, this is just a proposal to do a study. Secondly, who says that the gas tax doesn't go away if this is implemented? Thirdly, even if it doesn't, is there some law that says you must continue to drive a gas powered vehicle? If it is much cheaper to buy an electric, then people will buy electrics. It's not the end of civilization. barfo
Have you ever received a tax refund? It's not only conceivable but expected that poorer drivers would get their "road tax" rebated to them while the more affluent paid their share and the shares of a few others. That's how it's "tax[ing] the rich".
