Comments on: This is One Tax We Need to Raise

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 30 May 2011 06:26:02 +0000

I agree with you 100%. Things that everyone uses should be paid for from the general tax fund.
That should include road and street maintenance,parks, libraries, and schools. Putting tolls or fees on such items is just another way the rich in this country have of excluding the use of public facilities from the poor. How democratic is that?

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 30 May 2011 06:19:05 +0000

My, My, aren’t you an elitist! Take things that are supposed to be for the use of everyone, rich, or poor and put a tax on it so that only the rich can use it. Doesn’t sound much like a democracy to me. Tax our libraries, Tax our parks, Tax our schools, Tax our trains and airlines, and while you are at it, Tax our food. We do not need the poor having access to any of these. Tolls are just another name for taxes which increase the cost of doing business and restrict our freedom. It might be a surprise to you to know that there are tens of thousands of people starving in this country today because of such policies. Traffic tickets are supposed to cause financial pain as an incentive to make people drive more carefully. How fair is it to take a day’s wages from the working poor to pay a $90 fine that the rich elite would just consider a nuisance in relation to their total income or have a connected friend discharge entirely? How fair is the financial pain distributed?
The problem with this country is that people like you, the rich, have been so preoccupied with taking eggs that you have forgotten to feed the goose which is now dying because of it. You know the goose, the U.S. that laid your golden eggs!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:36:23 +0000

Instead of raising the gas tax get rid of it all together and put the highways, roads, streets, etc in the general budget. There is not a
person in this country that does not benefit from our roads, etc., from before they are born until the final trip to the cemetery. Tax codes need to be simplified not loaded with more taxes.

By: Russell Cervenka

Russell Cervenka — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:20:08 +0000

There are already taxes in place to pay for the roads. The freedom of unhindered travel, which we are supposed to have in These United States, would disappear with the implementation of universal toll roads. Once in place, the government vampires could raise tolls to prohibitive levels. Also, you can bet that even though the wealthy elites could much more easily pay the tolls than the working poor, those elites would have their puppets in government dream-up all types of exemptions from the tolls, just for them. Toll roads are a bad, anti-freedom, anti-American step toward people control. Just bring U.S. troops back home from the more than one hundred countries they now occupy, and place a small portion of them on OUR OWN borders!! This would save trillions of dollars,greatly improve foreign relations, and keep OUR OWN country safe from the drug wars, gang warlords, and the many other dangers trying to seep through our borders.

By: John Chenosky, PE

John Chenosky, PE — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:03:18 +0000

The best thing that can be done besides confiscations ( taxes ) is to eliminate the prevailing wage law and allow non-union contractors and their employees the opportunity to bid on Federal Highway projects without harrassment by Union GOONS!!

By: Jim C.

Jim C. — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:27:33 +0000

For the past several years, instead of balancing the budget or trying to find ways to cut the bloat, NY State has raised taxes, fees and the cost of licenses. What’s amazing is they always announce these moves like it’s new found money, “free for the taking”. Fact is, they are all taxes and a burden on people.

Anyone ever consider that people who aren’t fortunate enough to have children, still have to pay school taxes for other children to go to skill? How bout the fact that people who live within their means ultimately pay the bills for all those who do not? Every time someone declares bankruptcy and runs away from the debt they owe, everyone else has to pay in increased prices for goods and services?

We used to have one superintendant for the district and two principals for each of the schools in the district. Today, we have far less students, and a superintendant for each school, and multiple deputy, and associate principles for each school. Everyone makes $100,000 to $150,000 per year, and gets a payraise every year. Meanwhile I work in private sector, non-union manufacturing, and haven’t had a payraise in 4 years. I make $25,000 per year, after 30 years of nose to the grindstone. Private sector jobs are what brings wealth into the country. Government jobs, while necessary, consume wealth.

Let’s stop talking about more taxes, and start holding our governmen’t feet to the fire to live and act responsibly.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:37:53 +0000

Interesting comments. I have a few suggestions. To wit, I smoke and drink, but do not complain about the taxes levied thereon.

As to roads, turn all roads into toll roads, along with a flat but stable gas tax. Hence, those who use, pay, with the base tax going for general infrastructure improvements nationwide.

As to earmarks in Congress, grant each state a per capita minimal grant to be directed by these crooked politicians as they see fit, BUT NO MORE/NO LESS than the per capita amount. Sen. Dodd, no more subsidy for an Indian casino IN YOUR STATE. If you want to subsidize such activities, pledge your income.

Finally, like California, hold periodic internet based referendums, and move to a unicameral Congress. Assuming every man’s vote is critical, representation by state is inane. Majority votes, majority rules.

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 02:01:42 +0000

1. I agree to raise sin taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, etc. as long as I get to choose what things are “sins”. If I cannot choose, then give me veto power. If someone doesn’t stop this nonsense, we’ll be paying taxes on our “needs and pleasures” to quote Jefferson.

2. The highway fund was robbed just like the Social Security fund. When it came time to tap it, all that was there were IOUs. THEN, they said taxes had to be raised to fix the roads.

Wake up America. You’re being bamboozled, lied to, and played for a bunch of fools.

3. You want to give these crooks and liars MORE money, be my guest, but leave me out of it. Maybe they will build more “big digs”.

tony

By: Bill Griffith

Bill Griffith — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:58:08 +0000

Get outta here! Lower receipts from less driving means less road maintenance. If you really want to improve the system, how about we repeal the law that effectively mandates union labor on federal projects? Bet you would get lots more competition and TWICE as much done for the same dollar. That should take care of the maintenance. The truth is that our population is starting to level off and not much new construction is needed once you eliminate the political payoffs. Toll roads end up being a big rip-off. The Florida Turnpike was paid off years ago and now is a political slush fund.

By: Howard

Howard — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Silly–of course those who don’t use the roads WOULD pay for their upkeep. The trucks that bring their food to the supermarkets and goods of all kinds to retail stores would just pass their increased costs on to the retailer which would then pass it on the the non-driving consumer. And increasing the gas tax would cut down on driving, but that means hotels and motels would lose business and lay off chambermaids and waitresses serving resort areas would make less in tips. Beware the Law of Unintended Consequences