Replacing the gas tax, or augmenting the gas tax?

Do you really think they'll drop the State tax on gasoline when they implement the per-mile tax?

C'mon! We're talking revenue here!

This is one of the reasons why I'm skeptical of any discussions about a national sales tax, which would supposedly replace the income tax. Frankly, I can't imagine that they won't reinstate the income tax in short order.

As far as the GPS is concerned, there will immediately be a huge demand for people to disengage the units, basically creating a whole new black market of services. Also, there will be a huge increase in the demand for used cars and auto parts as people try to avoid purchasing anything new.

Look for the Supreme Court, though, to make this national law sometime next week.

Why don't we also have devices strapped to us to measure our breathing rate; that way they can tax us at the proper rate for breathing....

Putting aside the privacy concerns, the politicians should be slapped for even considering such a stupid idea. A couple of things to consider:

1) how much are these GPS gizmos going to cost? 1x you yearly road tax, 2x, 3x? We're talking a huge 'investment' just to get this thing up and going.

2) How can you possibly force complience? roger's black market though comes into play here.

3) what about visitors from out of state? Will there be a GPS gestapo at every border crossing to check you odometer when you enter and exit the state? To collect what, a couple of bucks in taxes?

4) How can I be assured that the miles I drive outside of Oregon won't be taxed? If I were a resident, I would certainly have no obligation to pay taqxes for miles driven outside the state.

So there we have it, this tax is expensive to collect and difficult to enforce which is the worst kind of tax in my book. That's all in addition to the privacy concers with having big brother strap a tracking device to my car.

The politicans should be slapped.

Roger,
That's why any national sales tax or flat tax enactment should begin with a repeal of the xvi amendment (second worst amendment abridging freedom after xvii).

This GPS deal on the cars for traveling by the mile is just one more reason to buy a horse.

Yeah, watch for 'feature creep' on that program. Law enforcement will glom onto that database for sure, and track whoever they want to track. Accidentally drive by a store where your ex-wife is shopping, unbeknownst to you? If there's a minimum distance restraining order on, you, congrats, you're going to jail.

Don't think the insurance companies won't get the data either. Your premiums coudl triple once they find out how far (and where) you drive.

pasty -

I agree completely, but that is exactly why it won't happen. Since a consumption tax is inherently more fair than our current progressive system, it will be mercilessly portrayed as a HUGE tax cut for the rich and gutless career politicians on both sides of the aisle will run from it as if their cushy, meaningless, unaccountable jobs depended on it.

I'm not being too cynical, am I?