CBO thinks taxing drivers more is the answer to our money problems

This week the CBO released a report(pdf) showing how taxing people based on how many miles they drive would raise needed funds for maintaining and improving our highway system. In the past these options have been discussed, but the practical technological limitations have dissuaded government from implementing a program like this. Now with advances in electronic metering and billing, a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax is much more practical.

"In the past, the efficiency costs of implementing a system of VMT charges — particularly the costs of users' time for slowing and queuing at tollbooths — would clearly have outweighed the potential benefits from more efficient use of highway capacity," CBO wrote. "Now, electronic metering and billing are making per-mile charges a practical option."

The only question left in the minds of our ever tax-happy government is the best way to implement such a program. It seems they can't decide if it would be better to take the "mandate it on every new vehicle" approach or if simply requiring you to get some sort of tracking device installed in your car is ok. There is some passing consideration to the complete and total invasion of your privacy, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do in the name of the King.....er, I mean for the good of the country.

It is exactly issues such as this that spurred the Tea Party movement to begin with. We are in a time when the people have demanded our government not only learn to live within its means, but continually find ways to reduce spending, and what options are they looking at???? Ways to get MORE of your money.

This Administration continually berates the oil industry, incessantly pushes alternate technology nobody wants and then comes back to the fountain of money known as the American Taxpayer when their initiatives fall short. Just like every other move made by this Administration, they cannot seem to see the forest for the trees. They never accurately predict the unintended consequences of their actions.

Raising oil prices, the push for electric cars and the lack of overall disposable income has led to a decrease in miles driven and revenues generated. What did they think they were going to do for money when that happened...........