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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,190 Likes: 30
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Financing the trillions of dollars for infrastructure... Hmm… Transportation Secretary was questioned by reporters of how it was going to be paid for. Genius Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation secretary, suggested that a vehicle mileage tax could be on the table. The more miles you put on your car, the higher your taxes will be. So, punish the hard-working souls who travel distances to work for better wages. I see some geographics changing here in the future. Yeah, I know, all the retired old farts (me included) won’t be affected that much, since most our travel is limited. If this develops, I imagine the inspection station will be required to send an odometer reading to the IRS. Or maybe they could rely on the honor system – ha, ha. Sorry, America the Beautiful, your beauty is diminishing day by day. Your new look is breaking my heart. John
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26
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Top 200 Poster
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26 |
The idea of a mileage tax has been around for a while, usually put forward by Republicans (at least here in NC) as a way to tax poor people at the same rate as wealthier folks. I have always thought it was crazy as exactly the same could be achieved by an increase in the gas tax without adding a totally unnecessary new and quite complex tax. It's idiocy, no matter who suggests it, and I'm glad Pete Buttigieg specifically ruled it out a couple of days ago. As more electric cars take to the roads, something might have to be done to have those drivers chip in, but I hope it's not this.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28
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Joined: Dec 2000
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That user pay model for roads is not going to fly IMO, not because politicians believe it is unfair and regressive to the poor, but because Big Transport will be all over them for exemptions or lower rates because they will pay the lion's share here
You pity the poor, but politicians pity Purolator
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29
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Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29 |
Financing the trillions of dollars for infrastructure... Hmm… Transportation Secretary was questioned by reporters of how it was going to be paid for. Genius Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation secretary, suggested that a vehicle mileage tax could be on the table. The more miles you put on your car, the higher your taxes will be. So, punish the hard-working souls who travel distances to work for better wages. I see some geographics changing here in the future. Yeah, I know, all the retired old farts (me included) won’t be affected that much, since most our travel is limited. If this develops, I imagine the inspection station will be required to send an odometer reading to the IRS. Or maybe they could rely on the honor system – ha, ha. Sorry, America the Beautiful, your beauty is diminishing day by day. Your new look is breaking my heart. John I'm betting against the infrastructure bill ever really happening. The government cant truly afford to spend money on anything. Tax revenues dont even cover routine annual expenses. The senate is split down the middle. Biden is laying made-to-order groundwork for republican gains in the house, which will lock that. The dems didnt want Trump getting the glory. The repubs are paying that back. The bill will be huge and riddled with pork like everything else has been. John...imho...between the debt, wealth disparity, the border, the cartels, fragmented culture and people's expectations to receive something for nothing....I think that the country may be in a very perilous place. I hope to be wrong.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,668 Likes: 42
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Top 50 Poster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,668 Likes: 42 |
Gasoline in Portsmouth, Ohio is $2.89.9 today, April 1, 2021, no foolin'. The extreme winter storm that hit Cancer Alley in Texas and Louisiana shut down fully or partially, eleven refineries. This always happens when refinery capacity goes down, due to hurricane damage or simply maintenance. The gasoline already there in the tank where you buy your gasoline, or diesel, or home-heating fuel, becomes more valuable. The price goes up, instantly. Supply and demand. Now imagine the Keystone Pipeline diverting 830,000 barrels a day of refinery capacity away from refining fuels for Americans to buy, to process Canadian tar sands sludge to make export products for...well...whoever is in the market, worldwide. And it wouldn't be just for a few days while 'maintenance' was conducted, or until repairs could be made, or the winter storm was over. It would be 830,000 barrels a day, every day, for...however long they can keep mining tar sands sludge. When the price of fuels goes up, everything that moves by fuels passes on that price to the ultimate consumer, every Citizen in the United States. Food, clothing, building materials, medicines, people; everything that burns gasoline or diesel to move, every space that gets heated by burning something, and has the power to raise its price will do so. People don't get a cost-of-fuel adjustment to their wages though. They'll drive the same miles they drove to work for a living and do the living they're working for, but something else will have to be cut back to pay the increased fuel costs. Perhaps all those Tax cuts for rich people and rich companies owned by rich people weren't such a good idea. If nobody but the working poor and lower middle class are paying Taxes, Government will probably have to stop doing some of the things we want it to do. Maybe, instead of picking up your trash, they'll expect you to bring it in. Instead of having a military defense structure, everyone will have to arm themselves and be prepared to fight whatever enemy comes down their street. Instead of having 'city water' everyone will be on their own to find water. Instead of policemen and firemen and Emergency Medical Technicians, people will have to band together, form clans. Or, we could ask rich people and rich companies owned by rich people to pay the same rate as, let's say, Warren Buffet's secretary. He says she pays more than he does. And no loopholes for rich people and rich companies to avoid paying anything. And no subsidies of Tax dollars, 'refunds', to rich people and rich companies that didn't pay anything in. I'm not sure that can be defined as a 're-fund'. Why is this so hard? What did the Leadership Decision-Makers who told rich people and rich companies owned by rich people they didn't have to pay Taxes any more think would happen? Wow! Snowing like hell out there. I hope people can afford their home heating fuels.
There will always be another song to be written. Someone will write it. Why not you? www.garyeandrews.com
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29 |
That's some excellent reefer Gary.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
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Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
The idea of a mileage tax has been around for a while, usually put forward by Republicans (at least here in NC) as a way to tax poor people at the same rate as wealthier folks. I have always thought it was crazy as exactly the same could be achieved by an increase in the gas tax without adding a totally unnecessary new and quite complex tax. It's idiocy, no matter who suggests it, and I'm glad Pete Buttigieg specifically ruled it out a couple of days ago. As more electric cars take to the roads, something might have to be done to have those drivers chip in, but I hope it's not this. Which Republican supported it? Sounds unlikely as they are not pro taxation like the Dems. To be clear I hate them both for different reasons. They are ALL just controlled puppets spewing their lines. 99% of problems could easily be solved but they are there to obfuscate the crime taking place by their overlord elites, not solve problems.
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26
Top 200 Poster
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Top 200 Poster
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26 |
The idea of a mileage tax has been around for a while, usually put forward by Republicans (at least here in NC) as a way to tax poor people at the same rate as wealthier folks. I have always thought it was crazy as exactly the same could be achieved by an increase in the gas tax without adding a totally unnecessary new and quite complex tax. It's idiocy, no matter who suggests it, and I'm glad Pete Buttigieg specifically ruled it out a couple of days ago. As more electric cars take to the roads, something might have to be done to have those drivers chip in, but I hope it's not this. Which Republican supported it? Sounds unlikely as they are not pro taxation like the Dems. To be clear I hate them both for different reasons. They are ALL just controlled puppets spewing their lines. 99% of problems could easily be solved but they are there to obfuscate the crime taking place by their overlord elites, not solve problems. I don't remember who it was. It was quite a few years ago. It was mooted at the same time as state income tax cuts, so they were not increasing taxes overall, just talking about moving them around. They didn't want to be seen as increasing the tax on gas, so they discussed this as an alternative. It didn't go anywhere. There was a lot of crazy stuff going on around that time. I remember I got a significant tax credit that was supposed to encourage me to hire more employees. The only problem was nobody told me and I didn't even know about it until I filed my return!
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3,973 Likes: 85
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3,973 Likes: 85 |
If we never settle the issue of Covid mutation/vaccination, lockdowns, and vaccination passports in conjunction with mandatory testing every time you travel... the price of gas is going to be the least of everyone's problems. Especially since "The New Green Socialist World Reset" wants to abolish petroleum fuels anyway...
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29
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Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29 |
If we never settle the issue of Covid mutation/vaccination, lockdowns, and vaccination passports in conjunction with mandatory testing every time you travel... the price of gas is going to be the least of everyone's problems. Especially since "The New Green Socialist World Reset" wants to abolish petroleum fuels anyway...
It does not matter what the Green Crowd wants to do. Fossil fuels are going to phase out as part of a natural evolution. The argument is over how quickly. The alternatives are not developed enough to carry the load yet. The Greens want to pretend that they are and change up everything right now. That is part of their hysteria and foolishness. Fossil fuels built the current civilization and still power it. Can't discard them yet. The good news is that when fossil fuels are no longer used, it will be a healthier planet to live on. If you dont believe that...go sit in your car with the windows down and the garage door down and turn on the engine. Proof will be forthcoming. DON'T ACTUALLY DO IT! Once fossil fuels are dealt with, then the Greens will turn their attention fully to the farts of cows and Tony. Those two things are the true planet killers.
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3,973 Likes: 85
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3,973 Likes: 85 |
Ha! "Welcome to Thunderdome"... IN MY PANTS!
((big giant "tongue" emogee))
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29 |
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28 |
Like everything, it is likely that the internal combustion engine will sputter on in niche vehicles\transportation and in places around the world for some time longer...while EVs will be in ascendance for awhile in places where they can
It's just the way these things go. Some places may want to legislate changeovers.. Hello California.....but you (royal you) have to create the charging infrastructure around the country....and battery tech will also have to evolve
If you travel to Europe at all, you see charging stations everywhere...admittedly easier to do in their relatively smaller footprint, harder in a big country like USA or Canada
I think European attitudes are also generally much greener.
But I'm with you Marty...it is going to happen ...but the planetary effects may take longer to change as that electricity has to be generated somehow
Currently US generates about 20% from coal, 40% from natural gas, and 20% from nuclear power plants ....all those EVs are going to be huge consumers of electricity and power generation needs will go up.
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29 |
Currently US generates about 20% from coal, 40% from natural gas, and 20% from nuclear power plants ....all those EVs are going to be huge consumers of electricity and power generation needs will go up.
True. Alternative energy is coming along though. And that will ultimately supply power to charge a lot of cars. Texas (red state) generates more wind power than any other state...I think. (Except when it freezes). I believe that Iowa is 2nd. I take a motorcycle out to far west Texas a couple of times a year and ride around the Big Bend region. They are putting in some massive solar farms in the Texas desert. (Chihuahua) What I dont really understand about that is that solar needs to improve its conversion efficiency significantly to truly be a viable replacement for fossil fuels. I think...that in a few years, those massive solar farm panels will be obsolete as the technology becomes more efficient. Maybe they have replacements figured into the plans. I am still trying to figure out the rationale behind the massively expensive circular mirror arrays that were built in Calif, that focus bounced radiation on to a giant turbine in the center...while frying birds that fly in between the two. That always seemed like a bad investment to me. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanpah_Solar_Power_Facility
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28 |
The focused mirror thing was done way back when by Archimedes....when I sw the line I thought...great idea, really focus that heat beam now I can just say "well that'll teach those dumb birds"
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126 Likes: 29
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It looks like they just finished another one in Nevada. Interesting video that explains it linked below. And man, are those birds stupid? 6000 a day from what I read get fried at Ivanpah. They could bag em and eat em, but the heat is so intense that they apparently disintegrate into "streams" of smoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qNz3F0hgQ4&t=5s
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28 |
Not that I am unsympathetic to the plight of birds, but big city highrises and other tall contructions kill lots and lots of birds...many more than the heat beams here....so a bird's life is not easy away from this solar power plant ....and mirrors do not equal photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy to power and that will probably develop more capacity to convert as that tech refines. These mirrors focus the suns rays to heat water to make steam to run the turbines. Awesome clean energy. But someone must have "the windex" concession to keep those mirrors clean And the biggest killer of birds? Cats Now if we could find a way to bell those towers and heat beams....
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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