Is this guy nuts?

http://www.usnews.com/news/...ll-to-double-gas-tax

quote Wearing his signature bicycle pin Wednesday, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., took the podium to announce his bill to nearly double the federal gas tax. The Portland congressman's plan would gradually increase the federal gas tax over a three-year period. The money would go to rebuild roads and bridges across the country, which Blumenauer says are in disrepair. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the country has $2 trillion worth of projects that need to be completed. Today, drivers pay just over 18 cents per gallon in federal taxes, though states also tax the fuel. . Under Blumenauer's proposal, they'd pay more than 33 cents. "The gas tax hasn't been increased since the beginning of the Clinton administration," Blumenauer said during a press conference. "Today, with inflation and increased fuel efficiency for vehicles, the average motorist is paying about half as much per mile as they did in 1993. It's time for Congress to act." Groups who support the increase in the gas tax range from unions to UPS. "Congressman Blumenauer's UPDATE Act provides a much needed boost to our nation's surface transportation infrastructure," Laura Lane, the public affairs president at UPS, said in a release. "UPS alone travels more than 2.3 billion miles on America's roads each year... Increasing the federal motor fuels tax is a long-overdue proposal to provide the dedicated funding needed to maintain our highways." Other groups, however, argue there are other ways to improve the federal highway system that don't involve filling the federal government's coffers. "The gas tax is yesterday's solution to our highway congestion problems," says Chris Edwards, the director of tax policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. "The federal government should reduce its role in highway financing and the states should take a larger role." Edwards says, however, that Blumenauer's bill isn't likely to get very far in the Republican House. "There is no way Republicans are going to raise the gas tax," Edwards says. "They know from the party's brand name perspective, they cannot raise the gas tax."

quote Originally posted by avengador1: The money would go to rebuild roads and bridges across the country,.........

right.....

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 12-04-2013).]

Roads, bridges, and infrastructure, the government says.
It'll improve the economy, the government says.
It'll provide jobs, the government says.
Let's tax them all, the government says.
What are you doing with that axe, the government says.

Social security wouldn't be in the shape that it is now if they hadn't raided it's funds either. I wouldn't be against doubling the tax if they did what they say they will. I don't have much faith that they won't get their hands on it for whatever they want though.

Don't tax people and let them spend their money. Consumer spending creates jobs.

quote Originally posted by dratts: I wouldn't be against doubling the tax if they did what they say they will.

Here's a thought: let government prove it can be trusted to do what has been promised with the tax money now being collected. Since no government has a good record on this, I would prefer you not to be so quick to be ready to give them more of my money.

quote Originally posted by rbell2915: Roads, bridges, and infrastructure, the government says. It'll improve the economy, the government says. It'll provide jobs, the government says. Let's tax them all, the government says. What are you doing with that axe, the government says.

and the chilren. Don't forget the chilren!

As said by someone here on the Forum, "The System Is BROKEN". Your aren't going to fix a damn thing by taxing the middle class more than they already do (they consume most of the gas). What's currently left of the "Middle Class" has been going down hill for a long time now, it's just not popular to talk about it.

The way I see it, the Poor "Breed like Rats" to get more Government Handouts, Middle Class has small families trying to provide good life, but will probably never be able to retire, and Rich people just don't care about the people beneath them, and that includes all of our Politicians currently.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: Is this guy nuts?

Why yes, yes he is: He represents Portland.

quote Originally posted by heybjorn: Here's a thought: let government prove it can be trusted to do what has been promised with the tax money now being collected. Since no government has a good record on this, I would prefer you not to be so quick to be ready to give them more of my money.

I'm not so eager to give them our money either. I guess I should have capitalized the "IF" in my statement. There is a lot of our infrastructure that needs maintenance and private industry can't do it. It should be a crime to miss use those specified funds and those who do should go to jail along with stiff fines.

doesn't the taxes i pay already go to roads and bridges and all of the crap that they are trying to use as a reason? how is it our fault that they cant manage the budgets other than electing the idiots in the first place?

quote Originally posted by goatvenom: doesn't the taxes i pay already go to roads and bridges and all of the crap that they are trying to use as a reason? how is it our fault that they cant manage the budgets other than electing the idiots in the first place?

Did you see that bicycle pin on Blumenauer's lapel? Who pays for all the striping of bike lanes and all the signage to "Share the Road"? I ride a bike too but I think there should be some way for bikers to pay for the services we receive. Highway funds paid by gasoline taxes should never be used to give me or Blumenauer a free ride.

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 12-05-2013).]

quote Originally posted by spark1: Who pays for all the striping of bike lanes and all the signage to "Share the Road"?

, thank you, thank you, thank you very much, .
What gets me is some of the roads I drive on were ... whats the word ... forced, bribed, enticed to make these bike paths. Roads were narrowed, signage, markers, stripes were paid for, and we have zero usage of said lanes.
Why do we not have these lanes on interstate highways, or horse/wagon lanes ?

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Don't tax people and let them spend their money.

Its not their money in a socialist society.

I think they also need to mandate a 50% increase in all bicycle related equipment, (including the bicycles themselves) since they also share most of the roadways in this country.
And for gawds sake, a 500% increase on all spandex garments related to bicycling.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-05-2013).]

quote Originally posted by User00013170: You do the math on safety.

I understand but ... the bike paths were mandated to be safe. What good does it do if I want to go to the next town but can only safely go to the edge of my town ? Bikes can share sidewalks ... which are more and more mandated. We can walk a highway. Safety for all or safety for none.

quote Originally posted by dratts: ... There is a lot of our infrastructure that needs maintenance and private industry can't isn't legally allowed to do it. ...

Brad

Doesn't private industry build most of the highways, bridges etc. under contract to some political authority?

quote Originally posted by texasfiero: and the chilren. Don't forget the chilren!

Agreed.

Once the government convinces itself that "a tax" is for the benefit of the children, improves safety, will create jobs
and will somehow reduce Greenhouse Gases (Save the Planet!) - ANY TAX will manage to be passed.

------------------
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Mo Money!

Never fix the problem.
Never take on issues of cronyism or corruption.
That would interfere with the real system.

Never take on the companies and the unions that are in bed with the ones that disseminate our money.
That would interfere with the system.

The system is our voted in trading your money into their money and to add insult to injury they get pennies on the dollar.
The 10 grand that it takes to buy a politician makes the lobbier a million.

The politician in turn buy us off too. Let's just say ,we are cheaper than a two dollar whore on half price Tuesday .

We don't have a lack of money problem. We have a self esteem problem.

We have a responsibility problem. They lie, and we don't listen, or we don't care as long as it benefits " me". We refuse to accept that everything must be paid for.

When I was a kid in NY, the village I lived in had license plates for the bikes. They were maybe $0.50 or so and the police would stop you if the plate wasn't mounted on the bike. In todays economic environment, the bikers could pay $50 or so for bike plates to create and maintain bike lanes and bike paths along abandoned railroad routes.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I understand but ... the bike paths were mandated to be safe. What good does it do if I want to go to the next town but can only safely go to the edge of my town ? Bikes can share sidewalks ... which are more and more mandated. We can walk a highway. Safety for all or safety for none.

I am guessing you don't ride a bike too often. The problem is that people in cars think they own the road. Bike lanes are needed because of these drivers. As for driving to the next town, most people on bike ride them inside town, to get to local places.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: I am guessing you don't ride a bike too often. The problem is that people in cars think they own the road. Bike lanes are needed because of these drivers.

No, I don't ride a bike often. The problem is not that vehicle drivers think that they own the road. We have laws which say otherwise. I don't think dedicated bike lanes are needed at all, and, if they seem to be then they should be on all roadways, including highways. Perhaps the lanes should be alternative traffic lanes allowing horse drawn wagons or whatever. They are public roadways and to discriminate against other forms of transportation choice is wrong.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: As for driving to the next town, most people on bike ride them inside town, to get to local places.

Actually, to be honest, I see more riding between towns than I do around town. I am not kidding. They love the roads around me. There are bicycle clubs who are always biking in groups/packs, with all the latest riding gear, helmets, bicycles, and other paraphernalia.
For the record, I am not arguing for highway bike lanes. I don't see them necessary on local streets. It is a public tax money spending boondoggle.

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 12-06-2013).]

quote Originally posted by newf:

Are you suggest we give them more money to waste ? They did not spend the money wisely that we gave them they took from us.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: No, I don't ride a bike often. The problem is not that vehicle drivers think that they own the road. We have laws which say otherwise. I don't think dedicated bike lanes are needed at all, and, if they seem to be then they should be on all roadways, including highways. Perhaps the lanes should be alternative traffic lanes allowing horse drawn wagons or whatever. They are public roadways and to discriminate against other forms of transportation choice is wrong. Actually, to be honest, I see more riding between towns than I do around town. I am not kidding. They love the roads around me. There are bicycle clubs who are always biking in groups/packs, with all the latest riding gear, helmets, bicycles, and other paraphernalia. For the record, I am not arguing for highway bike lanes. I don't see them necessary on local streets. It is a public tax money spending boondawgle.

If every driver followed the law, why do people get in accidents, speed, or otherwise get ticketed, or injured/killed while driving? I have talked to my friend who drives a motorcycle and he always mentions that he has to drive defensively, because people treat him differently, than when he is driving his car. This is a guy who is a very conservative motorcycle driver, wears all the safety equipment and still gets run off of the road. Basically, they treat him like a bicyclist. US drivers are terrible.... there is something about them that make them believe they own the roads and anyone else is just trespassing.

People who ride cycles understand the need for more safety on the road and as for riding on sidewalks, those are for walking, not biking. The groups who ride, are not those targeted for bike lanes. BTW, it doesn't cost that much to mark off part of a road as a bike lane and bike don't destroy roads, like automobiles.

BTW, biking is a great way to reduce our need for gasoline, obesity surgeries, and parking lots.

quote Originally posted by goatvenom: Doesn't the taxes i pay already go to roads and bridges and all of the crap that they are trying to use as a reason? how is it our fault that they cant manage the budgets other than electing the idiots in the first place?

Yep.
Like the city I live in. When they need to fix roads, or fix the school, or sewer system, they try a referendum because they already squandered the money that should have been going there.

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: Mo Money! Never fix the problem. Never take on issues of cronyism or corruption. That would interfere with the real system. Never take on the companies and the unions that are in bed with the ones that disseminate our money. That would interfere with the system. The system is our voted in trading your money into their money and to add insult to injury they get pennies on the dollar. The 10 grand that it takes to buy a politician makes the lobbier a million. The politician in turn buy us off too. Let's just say ,we are cheaper than a two dollar whore on half price Tuesday . We don't have a lack of money problem. We have a self esteem problem.

It is pretty sickening.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Are you suggest we give them more money to waste ? They did not spend the money wisely that we gave them they took from us.

No not at all, I agree Governments waste a lot of money and should find ways to reduce wastage.

quote Originally posted by newf: No not at all, I agree Governments waste a lot of money and should find ways to reduce wastage.

So there was no point to the graphic? Or was it to say they gov is kicking the can?

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 12-06-2013).]

quote Originally posted by 2.5: So there was no point to the graphic?

Of course there was, I was commenting on the will of some people to continue to kick problems (such as failing infrastructure and high debt) down the road.

quote Originally posted by fierosound: Agreed. Once the government convinces itself that "a tax" is for the benefit of the children, improves safety, will create jobs and will somehow reduce Greenhouse Gases (Save the Planet!) - ANY TAX will manage to be passed.

Yes, let's not forget the carbon taxes they are pushing, which will be a massive tax on EVERYTHING. You can tell how much they want that revenue by how hare they are pushing it by way of the scare stories and propaganda.

They are also proposing a mileage tax. With all these hybrids and electic cars, they have to maintain the revenue for road maintenance. Anyone want to bet they'll do BOTH taxes?

quote Originally posted by newf: Of course there was, I was commenting on the will of some people to continue to kick problems (such as failing infrastructure and high debt) down the road.

Yes.. which people?

(I edited by post after you quotesd it.)

quote Originally posted by 2.5: Yes.. which people?

What problems ? All of my roads are in great shape.

quote Originally posted by 2.5: Yes.. which people? (I edited by post after you quotesd it.)

Many people. People who think such things are a problem but don't want to contribute.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: What problems ? All of my roads are in great shape.

I was wondering if Newf meant our gov is kicking the can by not fixing the roads, or if we are by not paying them more to do it.

I ride my bike on sidewalks all the time, even when there is a bike lane. It's legal here except for downtown where there just isn't room. I don't ride a motorcycle anymore for the same reason I don't ride a bike on the streets. It's not a fair match when a collision occurs. I question the financial viability of bike lanes and anyway a striped line won't do you any good when an inattentive driver runs over you. I also question the intelligence of those bike riders who ride on narrow scenic two lane roads with no shoulder. I recognize the pleasure of those rides. I also recognize the risk. I like both bikes and cars. I just don't think that they mix very well. The biggest safety device I have on my bike is the rear view mirror. Hopefully I might be able to see the inattentive driver heading at me before I get run over and have a chance to take evasive action. [/b]

quote [B]Or posted by jaskispyder: If every driver followed the law, why do people get in accidents, speed, or otherwise get ticketed, or injured/killed while driving? I have talked to my friend who drives a motorcycle and he always mentions that he has to drive defensively, because people treat him differently, than when he is driving his car. This is a guy who is a very conservative motorcycle driver, wears all the safety equipment and still gets run off of the road. Basically, they treat him like a bicyclist. US drivers are terrible.... there is something about them that make them believe they own the roads and anyone else is just trespassing. People who ride cycles understand the need for more safety on the road and as for riding on sidewalks, those are for walking, not biking. The groups who ride, are not those targeted for bike lanes. BTW, it doesn't cost that much to mark off part of a road as a bike lane and bike don't destroy roads, like automobiles. BTW, biking is a great way to reduce our need for gasoline, obesity surgeries, and parking lots.