Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Big Brother Wants Your Money
About a year ago, a friend who has a long, long commute to work bought a hybrid, you know, one of those cars that runs on half electric/half gasoline power. He loved it.
Since then, the cars have grown in popularity and the powers that be are getting nervous. Specifically, state governments are getting anxious because hybrid drivers aren't buying as much gasoline. Less gas bought means fewer gas tax dollars for the state to squander.
If you and I saw a drastic reduction in our income, we would naturally cut our spending. But that's far too simple and reasonable a solution for governement bureaucrats.
They have a better idea: start taxing drivers by the mile.
How would they know how much you'd driven. Easy, just require every driver to install a global positioning system in any car they drive.
CBS reports:
Used to be they only wanted your money, now they want to keep tabs on you as well. Nothing like killing to birds with one stone, eh?
Since then, the cars have grown in popularity and the powers that be are getting nervous. Specifically, state governments are getting anxious because hybrid drivers aren't buying as much gasoline. Less gas bought means fewer gas tax dollars for the state to squander.
If you and I saw a drastic reduction in our income, we would naturally cut our spending. But that's far too simple and reasonable a solution for governement bureaucrats.
They have a better idea: start taxing drivers by the mile.
How would they know how much you'd driven. Easy, just require every driver to install a global positioning system in any car they drive.
CBS reports:
"Drivers will get charged for how many miles they use the roads, and it's as simple as that," says engineer David Kim.
Kim and his team at Oregon State University equipped a test car with a global positioning device to keep track of its mileage. Eventually, every car would need one.
Used to be they only wanted your money, now they want to keep tabs on you as well. Nothing like killing to birds with one stone, eh?
// posted by Dean @ Tuesday, February 15, 2005 
